The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Summary: Paul continues to lay challenges before us, even in the last line of his letter.
Paul closes out his letter to the Philippians with these beautiful words:
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
But what does he mean?
The Greek word for “grace” is “cháris.” Strong’s Lexicon (G5485) offers several synonymous alternatives to help us understand the meaning. One of those words is “favor.”
As someone who is easily confused, I wondered if any translators used the word “favor” instead of “grace.” As it turns out, a few do.
The Amplified Bible, Classic Edition, translates the verse this way:
“The grace (spiritual favor and blessing) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Anointed One) be with your spirit.”
Where the word “grace” seems vague and nebulous to me, spiritual favor and blessings are descriptions I can understand.
When Paul proclaims that the favor of Jesus Christ will be with you and me, that is something to take to the bank.
But which bank?
Paul adds that Christ’s favor will “be with your spirit.”
Where is that?
Sadly, I can’t tell you. It is not that I wouldn’t if I could, but I can’t because no one can. We simply don’t know.
Paul acknowledges this when he writes, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12, KJV)
We know that God is spirit (John 4:24) and that we are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Paul tells us that we have a spirit, too, so all of that makes sense.
Look inside yourself. Can you tell the difference between what is physical and what is spirit?
It sounds like a silly question on the surface, but for the believer, it is everything.
God is Spirit. The Holy Spirit is spirit. You and I are spirits.
Much of what happens in the faith realm happens in the spiritual realm.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
Application: Spiritual awareness is important.
Food for Thought: How do you know whether or not your spirit has the grace of the Lord Jesus?
How do you know whether or not your spirit has the grace of the Lord Jesus?
God tells us the very simple truth, “ We are what we do.” Our inner condition is seen by all in our actions, responses to this world, and people around us. Listen with our eyes as we walk in this world.
Matthew 7: 16, You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Luke 6:44, For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Thank you, Ron!
Excellent point and great verses!
When I think about the grace of the Lord Jesus, I think about the compassion He has for us. And His grace is a difficult grace to articulate because it doesn’t come naturally to people. Human grace is always to some degree merited, and when one thinks like that, compassion follows judgement rather than existing outside of it. The grace of the Lord Jesus is unconditional, and His compassion is unconditional. He sees our condition and it moves Him. Its not about “what we got ourselves into,” “what we deserve,” or “what we should be doing,” it’s about who we are to Him. He has compassion for us, and is compassionate toward us because we matter to Him. So I think a good indication that one’s spirit has the grace of the Lord Jesus is in how much other people matter.
Romans 5:6-11
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Thank you, Chris!
I appreciate you pointing us to the relationship God wants to have with us. Not based on merit, as you point out, but based in love.
If we have Jesus, then the Spirit dwells within us as we are temples of the Holy Spirit. If we have the Spirit, we must listen to and obey Him. Of course, He often speaks to us by illuminating the truth of God’s word. But if we are seeking the Lord and loving Him with all our heart, soul, strength and mind through a transformed mind and heart, and through being transformed by His word, I think we will find that we also have favor with Him.
1 Corinthians 6: 19: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
Ephesians 1: 13 – 14: And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
2 Corinthians 1: 21 – 22: Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
John 14: 26: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Galatians 5: 22 – 25: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Thank you, Rich.
You have tied this back to the relationship between seeking God’s favor (grace) and receiving it. Excellent point!