b. “for all the people,” that is, all regardless of nationality, age, wealth, fame, social position, sex, education, etc. Even the shepherds are included; all God’s people are included. The term all the people here in verse 10 is as wide as is the expression men of his good pleasure in verse 14.

The well-meant promise of salvation by grace through faith must be proclaimed throughout the world, but those who reject it cannot experience the “great joy” here mentioned. That marvelous blessing is only for those who believe. Cf. John 3:16. In view of the fact that the shepherds were believers, the message continued as follows:

。。。。。。。

Glory to God in the Highest!

They desire that all creation shall praise God. They realize that this very Jesus, through the accomplishment of the task which the Father gave him to do, brings peace (John 14:27). That peace is: (a) reconciliation between God and man; (b) the believer’s serene assurance that he has a share in this reconciliation. Cf. Rom. 5:1, 2; 2 Cor. 5:18–21. The more men sincerely praise God for the salvation he has brought about, the more also they possess this peace.

If the word song is used in its broadest meaning, not necessarily being a description of words set to music from the very start, but rather of words which because of their parallelistic structure can be adapted to music, then we may speak of “The Angels’ Song of Adoration.”

What did the angels exclaim or shout? In verse 14 did they use the word eudokia = good pleasure, good will? Or did they say eudokias (the same word with an additional sigma or “s”)? The latter means of good pleasure. The Greek texts vary.

Some interpreters, having accepted the first reading as being genuine, adopt the first view, according to which the angels said:

Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace,

Good will toward men.

(A.V.)

Others, having accepted the second reading, adopt the second view, according to which the angels said:

Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men of (his) good pleasure.

The genitive simply means “of good pleasure.” Whose good pleasure? Clearly God’s. The angels are not glorying in man and his merits but in God and his grace. This is clear also from other references to this same concept (good pleasure). See especially Matt. 11:26; Luke 10:21; Eph. 1:4, 5, 9.

Accordingly, when spelled out in full, the interpretation favored by the second view is this: “And on earth peace among men whom God has graciously chosen.” His sovereign delight rests on them. With them he is well pleased.

Now even those who cannot read Greek but are sound in doctrine know that the second of the two views, rather than the first, is in line with biblical doctrine. True and lasting peace is the portion of those, and only of those, whom God has graciously chosen. See the following passages: Isa. 26:3, 12; 32:17; 48:22 (= 57:21); Hag. 2:9; Zech. 9:10; Luke 1:78, 79; John 14:27; 16:33; Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14, 17; Col. 1:20. The entire work of salvation, from start to finish, must be ascribed to him alone: Ps. 32:1; 89:33, 34; 115:1; Ezek. 20:14; Dan. 9:19; John 6:44; 15:16; Eph. 1:4; Rev. 5:9–14; 15:3, 4.

 Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke (Vol. 11, pp. 155–156). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.