Ephesians 6:23

Ephesians 6:23

Verse 23 pronounces blessing and unity: “Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” This blessing anchors the exhortations in the prayers and realities of the Triune God. Peace, love, and faith are not abstract sentiments but marks of a community shaped by the gospel. The wording connects right relationship with God (peace and faith) and right relationship with one another (love). By invoking both Father and Lord Jesus, Paul grounds Christian communal life in the Trinitarian reality—the divine source of grace that produces harmony, mutual trust, and steadfast devotion.

The verse foregrounds core Christian virtues as gifts from God: peace, love, faith. It highlights the inseparability of belief and behavior in community life—faith that bears fruit in love among brethren. This blessing also signals eschatological hope—the future fullness of shalom—while reminding believers that present experience of peace and unity is a foretaste of God’s kingdom.

Practical ways: pursue reconciled relationships, practice forgiveness, and cultivate a culture of faith and love in your church or family. Offer peaceful, patient conversation when disagreements arise, and pray for one another’s growth in grace. Consider simple acts—a shared meal, a note of encouragement, or a visit—to embody this blessing.

Cross-References: John 13:34-35; 1 Thessalonians 5:13; Romans 15:5-6; Colossians 3:14