Philippians 1:2

Grace be unto you, &c. See, on the whole verse, the notes in this Series on Ephesians 1:2, where the wording is identical. "Grace,"as a Scriptural term, demands careful study. In its true idea, kindness is always present, with the special thought of entire and marked absence of obligationin the exercise of it. It is essentially unmerited and free. See e. g. Romans 11:6. In its normal application, the word denotes the action of Divine kindness either in the judicial acceptance of the believer "not according to his works," for Christ's sake (e.g. Romans 3:24), or in the gift and continuance of new life and power to the believer (e.g. 1 Corinthians 15:10). And, as the action is never apart from the Agent, we may say that grace in the first reference is "God for us" (Romans 8:1), in the second, "God in us" (below, Philippians 2:13). In the first reference grace is the antithesis to merit, in the second to nature.

our Father in the new birth and life, which is coextensive with union with Christ the Son. See below, on Philippians 2:15.