Definition of Grace in Christian Theology
The Greek word for grace, χάρις (charis), carries a range of meanings including graciousness, loveliness, favor, and kindness [8, 9]. In the New Testament, it frequently refers to the divine influence upon the heart and its manifestation in life, encompassing gratitude, benefit, and joy [8]. The Septuagint (LXX) often uses χάρις to translate the Hebrew word חֵן (chen) [9].
In Christian theology, grace is understood primarily as God's unmerited favor and blessing [1, 10, 11, 12]. It is a perfection of God's character, exercised in communicating favor to the unworthy [5]. This divine grace is distinct from mercy, which is compassion for the miserable, though both are aspects of God's goodness [4, 5]. Grace is often presented as sovereign [3].
Key aspects of grace include:
- God's forgiving mercy Grace is seen in God's forgiveness (Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:5) [1].
- The Gospel Grace is sometimes used to distinguish the gospel from the law (John 1:17; Romans 6:14) [1].
- Divine Gifts It refers to gifts freely bestowed by God, such as miracles, prophecy, and speaking in tongues (Romans 15:15; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 3:8) [1]. Each believer receives grace according to the measure of Christ's gift (Ephesians 4:7) [7].
- Christian Virtues Grace also describes Christian virtues (2 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Peter 3:18) [1]. Humility, for instance, is considered a prominent Christian grace [6].
- Future Glory It can refer to the glory to be revealed in the future (1 Peter 1:13) [1].
The New Testament emphasizes that grace came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17; Romans 5:15) [3]. Christ himself was full of grace (John 1:14) and spoke with grace (Luke 4:22) [3]. The riches of God's grace are exhibited through His kindness in Christ (Ephesians 2:7), and the glory of His grace is shown in believers' acceptance in Christ (Ephesians 1:6) [3].
While the term "means of grace" is not directly found in Scripture, it is used in theological discourse to denote institutions God has ordained as channels of grace, such as the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer [2]. More broadly, it can refer to spiritual exercises like hearing the gospel, reading Scripture, meditation, and self-examination, which are engaged in to receive spiritual blessing [2]. The Apostle Paul frequently begins his letters with a greeting of "Grace and peace," signifying these as gifts from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ [10, 11, 12].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Grace — (1.) Of form or person (Prov. 1:9; 3:22; Ps. 45:2). (2.) Favour, kindness, friendship (Gen. 6:8; 18:3; 19:19; 2 Tim. 1:9). (3.) God's forgiving mercy (Rom. 11:6; Eph. 2:5). (4.) The gospel as distinguished from the law (John 1:17; Rom. 6:14; 1 Pet. 5:12). (5.) Gifts freely bestowed by God; as miracles, prophecy, tongues (Rom. 15:15; 1 Cor. 15:10; Eph. 3:8). (6.) Christian virtues (2 Cor. 8:7; 2 Pet. 3:18). (7.) The glory hereafter to be revealed (1 Pet. 1:13).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Grace, means of — An expression not used in Scripture, but employed (1) to denote those institutions ordained by God to be the ordinary channels of grace to the souls of men. These are the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer. (2.) But in popular language the expression is used in a wider sense to denote those exercises in which we engage for the purpose of obtaining spiritual blessing; as hearing the gospel, reading the Word, meditation, self-examination, Christian conversation, etc.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Grace — God is the God of all -- 1Pe 5:10. God is the Giver of -- Ps 84:11; Jas 1:17. God's throne, the throne of -- Heb 4:16. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of -- Zec 12:10; Heb 10:29. Was upon Christ -- Lu 2:40; Joh 3:24. Christ spoke with -- Ps 45:2; Lu 4:22. Christ was full of -- Joh 1:14. Came by Christ -- Joh 1:17; Ro 5:15. Given by Christ -- 1Co 1:4. Foretold by the prophets -- 1Pe 1:10. Riches of, exhibited in God's kindness through Christ -- Eph 2:7. Glory of, exhibited in our acceptance in Christ -- Eph 1:6. Is described as Great. -- Ac 4:33. Sovereign. -- R”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mercy — Compassion for the miserable. Its object is misery. By the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness (Gen. 19:19; Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7; Ps. 85:10; 86:15, 16). In Christ mercy and truth meet together. Mercy is also a Christian grace (Matt. 5:7; 18:33-35).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humility — A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Ch”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:7 (Geneva1599) — But vnto euery one of vs is giuen grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”
- Strong's Greek Dictionary “[G5485] χάρις (cháris) — Definition: graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) | Derivation: from G5463 (χαίρω); | KJV usage: acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy)”
- STEPBible TBESG “[G5485] G5485 = (G5485) — <b>χάρις, -ιτος, ἡ <note>Abbott-Smith does not include the article here.</note></b>, accusative, χάριν (χάριτα in <ref='Act.24.27'>Act.24:27</ref>, <ref='Jude.4'>Ju 4</ref>; see WH, <i>App.</i>, 157), <BR /> [in LXX chiefly for חֵן ;] <BR /> __1. objectively, that which causes favourable regard, <b>gracefulness, grace, loveliness</b> of form, <b>graciousness</b> of speech (cl.; <ref='Ecc.10.12'>Ecc.10:12</ref>, <ref='Sir.21.16'>Sir.21:16</ref>, al.): <ref='Col.4.6'>Col.4:6</ref>; λόγοι τ. χάριτος (genitive qual.), <ref='Luk.4.22.'>Luk.4:22.</ref> <BR /> __2. Subjectiv”
- Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 1:2: 1:2 Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God; peace is well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). These qualities are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (see Rom 5:1-2).”
- Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 1:2: 1:2 Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God; peace is well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). These qualities are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (see Rom 5:1-2).”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:3: 1:3 Grace and peace represent traditional Greek and Hebrew greetings. Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from the kindness of God. Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness, rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). Together, the phrase conveys things understood as gifts from God (see Rom 5:1-2).”