Benedictions and Doxologies in Paul’s Letters
Paul’s letters are framed with blessings. He begins with grace and peace, and he ends with benedictions and doxologies. These bookends are not mere formalities — they set the tone and seal the message.
Openings: Grace and Peace
Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Galatians 1:3–5
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:7
Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:3
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:2
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:2
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.
Colossians 1:2–3
Grace to you, and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.
1 Thessalonians 1:1–2
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:2
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon 1:3
Closings: Benedictions
Finally, brothers, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
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 13:11–14
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Galatians 6:18
Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ … to the only wise God be glory for evermore through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Romans 16:25–27
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 Corinthians 16:23–24
Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Ephesians 6:23–24
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Philippians 4:23
Grace be with you.
Colossians 4:18
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:28
Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all … The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 3:16, 18
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Philemon 1:25
Additional New Testament Doxologies
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:36
To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
Romans 16:27
To whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Galatians 1:5
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20–21
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:20
To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17
To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18
…through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:21
To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11
To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:11
To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18
To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Jude 24–25
To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 1:6
Reflection
Again and again, Paul frames his letters with grace, peace, and glory. His openings plant the seed of blessing, and his closings seal it. To read them together is to hear the constant rhythm: “Grace to you … Grace be with you.”