Ephesians 1:1-2

Ephesians 1:1-2. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father,

There must be "grace" first; "peace" comes afterwards. They seek heavenly blessings in the wrong order who try to gain peace first, and then grace. "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked;" and he who has a peace which does not own grace for its parent has a false peace,- a peace where there is no peace; - but let us first have grace in our souls, then shall our peace be "as a river, and our righteousness as the waves of the sea." Note here, as Luther has said on a corresponding verse in the Epistle to the Galatians, the apostle says, "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father;" and lest that terrible name should affright us, he has joined therewith the name of God the Son, and sweetly put in