‘Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.'
‘Peace' was a regular greeting in Biblical times and denoted a desire for the well being of the recipient. But with regard to God it has a special significance. As light is to darkness, so peace is to evil (Isaiah 45:7). It is the ultimate good. It had become especially associated with the coming Messianic age which would be an age of ‘peace' sealed by the ‘covenant of peace' (Isaiah 32:17; Isaiah 52:7; Isaiah 54:10; Isaiah 55:12; Isaiah 57:19; Ezekiel 37:26; Haggai 2:9; Zechariah 9:10) presided over by the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). And for the wicked there will be no peace (Isaiah 48:22; Isaiah 57:20-21).
Thus ‘peace from God' contains the idea of total well being. It includes peace with God (Romans 5:1), and the peace of God planted in the heart (Philippians 4:7). For Jesus Christ is our peace, having reconciled us to God and to each other (Ephesians 2:14-16).
‘And love, with faith.' Love without faith is empty. Faith without love is puerile. Together they form the platform for a true life, and provide complete protection from the Enemy (1 Thessalonians 5:8), and result in an active life of goodness (1 Thessalonians 1:3).
‘From God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This links the peace from God with the Messianic promises and expresses the furthest heights of peace, love and faith. Their source is in the Father and the Son. Thus they will be peace beyond measure, love unfathomed and unchangeable, and faith unfailing.