Understanding the Biblical Concept of Divine Grace
Divine grace, in a biblical context, refers to God's unmerited favor and kindness shown to humanity [1, 5]. This concept is central to Christian theology, distinguishing God's benevolent action from human desert or achievement [8, 10]. The term "grace" encompasses various aspects, including God's forgiving mercy, the gospel message, spiritual gifts, and Christian virtues [1].
The Bible presents God as the ultimate source of grace, often described as the "God of all grace" (1 Peter 5:10) and the "Giver of grace" (Psalm 84:11; James 1:17) [4]. The "throne of grace" is a biblical metaphor inviting believers to approach God with boldness to receive mercy and find help in times of need (Hebrews 4:16) [4, 7]. The Holy Spirit is also identified as the "Spirit of grace" (Zechariah 12:10; Hebrews 10:29) [4].
A significant aspect of grace is its manifestation through Jesus Christ. Scripture states that grace "came by Christ" (John 1:17; Romans 5:15) and was "given by Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:4) [4]. Christ himself was "full of grace" (John 1:14) and spoke with grace (Luke 4:22) [4]. The "riches of grace" are exhibited in God's kindness through Christ (Ephesians 2:7), and the "glory of grace" is seen in believers' acceptance in Christ (Ephesians 1:6) [4].
Grace is often contrasted with the law, highlighting the new covenant's emphasis on God's free gift rather than human adherence to legal codes (John 1:17; Romans 6:14) [1]. It is an undeserved blessing that originates from God's kindness [8, 10]. This unmerited favor is a gift from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, leading to well-being and contentedness brought about by the Holy Spirit [8, 9, 10].
The concept of grace extends to the "election of grace," which refers to God's sovereign choice of individuals for specific purposes or eternal life [2]. This includes the election of individuals to office or privilege, such as Abraham or the apostles, and the election of nations, like the Hebrews, to special privileges (Deuteronomy 7:6; Romans 9:4) [2]. More profoundly, there is an election of individuals to eternal life, grounded in God's "good pleasure" (Ephesians 1:5, 11; Matthew 11:25, 26) [2].
While the term "means of grace" is not explicitly found in Scripture, it is used in theological discourse to describe the channels through which God ordinarily conveys grace to human souls [3]. These traditionally include the Word of God, the Sacraments, and prayer [3]. In a broader sense, "means of grace" can also refer to spiritual exercises undertaken to obtain spiritual blessing, such as hearing the gospel, reading the Bible, meditation, and Christian conversation [3].
Grace is also understood as a quality that enables acceptable service to God, as seen in Hebrews 12:28: "Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe" [6]. The goodness of God, a perfection of His character, is exercised towards His creatures. When this goodness is expressed as communicating favor to the unworthy, it is specifically called grace [5].
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: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
- 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: 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 ”
- Hebrews “Therefore, receiving a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, let us have grace, through which we serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, -- Hebrews 12:28”
- Hebrews “Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. -- Hebrews 4:16”
- 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).”
- 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).”
- 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).”