The Grace of Our LORD Jesus Christ

“The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all, Amen.”

(2 Corinthians 13:14)

Grace is a great word of the Gospel. “The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ.” Why distinctively ascribe grace to HIM when it is of God and the Holy Spirit as well? Because in the economy of redemption, all grace comes to us through HIM. The word ‘grace’ is the special token of Paul in every epistle. Eight close with “...the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ be with you,” sometimes varying the formula to “...with your spirit.” Grace is one of the outstanding words of the Gospel. “The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ,” is His designation as the Godman Mediator. It includes and indicates His Divine nature. He is “...the LORD,” yes, “...the LORD of lords.” In His humanity He is Jesus. In His office He is Christ, the Anointed One, the long-promised Messiah, the Mediator. It is the favor of His Divine person clothed with our flesh and made the Head of His people that the apostle invokes for all his believing brethren. “...His grace be with you all.” That comes first in the benediction because it is our initial need. “For ye know the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9) There, it is His infinite condescension in submitting to such a mean condition for our sakes.