Jan 1959 - Editorial

by JAS. MARTIN | Category: Editorial | Jan 1959

We send to all readers " Greetings " : and in no better terms can we express these greetings than in the words of the beloved apostle Paul, used in his letters to the early churches of God, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

To Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Thessalonians, and also to individual men, Timothy, Titus and Philemon, was this greeting, in the various epistles, sent.

In this greeting are joined two words of great significance, "grace" and "peace." Grace (Gk. charis) was the usual Greek salutation, by which nearly every letter was prefaced; "peace" (Gk. eirene.) was the Hebrew form of salutation by which Jews greeted their fellow-countrymen, and which is still used by Arabic-speaking people today.

Herein is contained a joining of WEST and EAST, of JEW and GENTILE, even that which is alone accomplished in our Lord Jesus Christ. "For He is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, ... that He might create in Himself of the twain one new man, so making peace; and might reconcile them in one body unto God through the Cross, having slain the enmity thereby." (Ephesians 2. 13-17).

"GRACE" was originally the word used for that "quality" in anything that gives " joy" or " pleasure," such as "beauty" in a landscape. Then both "joy" and "beauty" became combined in the word. Then it came to be applied to that which caused the joy; thence we get the thought of "unmerited, unearned, and undeserved favour." How much more enhanced is the sweetness, attractiveness and charm (the nearest word in English to give its meaning) in this salutation, when the "grace" is from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

PEACE" (eirene) is a lovely word, probably derived from a word meaning "to join, or weave together." It contains more in it than freedom from strife. It stands for harmony, for reconciliation, for the best that can come to man. So then, in this salutation, the apostle prays that the recipients of his epistles may have the joy and sweetness of knowing God as Father, and be filled with the peace of God in being reconciled unto Him. This "grace" and "peace" can be known through our Lord Jesus Christ alone. This is our greeting, too, to all readers.

January receives its name from a mythological source, because in this month one can look backwards and forwards. From the year 1888, almost uninterruptedly, this magazine has sought to give its readers "needed truth." This policy the editors hope to continue throughout 1959 (D.V.). Regular features will be a series of articles On the "Growth of the Fellowship" by Mr. John Miller, and a continuation of the articles on "The Tabernacle" by Mr. G. Prasher, sr.

May we also encourage a greater use of the section devoted to "Questions and Answers "

Let us rejoice "in the whole counsel of God," and to this end, we "commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that

are sanctified."

JAS. MARTIN | Jan 1959
Editorial