What Does Philemon 1:3 Mean in the King James?

Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon 1:3 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Favor and wholeness arrive from God the Father and Jesus as gifts, not as conditions you must first create.

THE MEANING

Favor and wholeness meet you as gifts whose source is God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The verse addresses you as someone who can receive favor freely shown and peace that reaches toward restored relations and well-being.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse loosens the belief that you must make yourself worthy or manufacture peace before God can meet you: both favor and peace come from their source.

THE ROOT

χάρις

charis

GROWS FROM

χαρι-

chari- stem

Favor or gracious giving.

“Grace” in this verse is charis. The related verb ⁨χαρίζομαι⁩ (charizomai, to grant as a favor) and noun ⁨χάρισμα⁩ (charisma, a favor-gift) keep favor connected to what is given. Here, favor is directed toward you and comes from God; it is received, not produced by the recipient.

ALSO GROWS

charizomai: Grant as a favor; freely give.

χαρίζομαι

Its verb form shows favor moving from a giver toward someone who receives it.

charisma: A gift of favor.

χάρισμα

It makes explicit the connection between favor and what is given.

εἰρήνη

eirēnē

GROWS FROM

εἰρην-

eirēn- stem

Peace, concord, well-being.

The related Greek family includes both being at peace and making peace. English “peace” can suggest quiet alone, while ⁨εἰρήνη⁩ also carries concord and well-being; paired here with favor, it points toward wholeness that reaches into relationships.

ALSO GROWS

eirēneuō: Be at peace; live in peace.

εἰρηνεύω

This verb shows peace as a lived condition, not merely a quiet moment.

eirēnopoieō: Make peace.

εἰρηνοποιέω

This branch connects peace with restoring relations, a depth beyond inner calm.

THE PATTERN

God’s favor and wholeness are gifts that reach people through relationship and restore peace.

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Numbers 6:26 · KJVPeace is given by God, echoing the greeting’s movement from its source toward the recipient.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 5:1 · KJVPeace reaches the reader through Jesus and is expressed as restored relation with God.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

2 Corinthians 13:14 · KJVFavor from Jesus and God’s presence are spoken over the whole community as gifts to be received.

THE THREAD

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

John 1:16 · KJV

John uses the same word, ⁨χάρις⁩ (charis, favor), and describes it as received from fullness. That makes the direction in Philemon clear: favor moves from its source toward you.

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