“Grace and peace be to you from God our Father and the LORD Jesus Christ.” Does that sentence ring a bell? Well, this phrase/sentence (and variations) is used by Paul as an opening in many of his epistles. The word grace is used throughout Scripture. The word is best defined as “unmerited favor of God,” or “God’s undeserved favor toward sinners.” Let me begin on this subject by quoting the late Keith Greene as he wrote:
“Nothing lasts except the grace of God
By which I stand in Jesus.
I know that I would surely fall away,
Except for grace by which I stand.”
As I began to review this whole concept of grace, I was amazed to find so much written over time on the subject. In Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary, the author states, “(grace)…(is) describing the whole of God’s activity toward man.”
The Old Testament (“O.T.”) term used for grace (favor) is chen. It is a masculine noun found around sixty times in the O. T. It is most often translated as favor – and with the phrase – “in the eyes of the Lord.” This concept first appears in Genesis six which tells us that God was extremely displeased. (grieved) In verse eight, Moses begins with the word “but,” and then says…” Noah found favor (chen) in the eyes of the Lord.” There are multiple examples of its use that include Moses, Samuel, David and more. For example, in Exodus thirty-three, Moses is said to have found favor with God five times.
One of my favorite stories relates to the prophet (and the last judge) Samuel. God indeed blessed his mother, Hannah, in her barren state with a gift of a son. In turn, Hannah dedicated her son to the LORD’s service under Eli. 1 Samuel tells us that: “And the boy continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men.” (1 Samuel 2:26)
Perhaps one of the last uses of chen is found in Jeremiah’s book chapter thirty-one. This chapter is in the section of Jeremiah’s “Book of Consolation,” where he prophesies a new covenant that is to be consummated in the promised Messiah. In the concluding verses of this chapter he says, “for I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” That is grace!
Biblical Pathway records an article by Tiffany Christiansen (11/2/2023) entitled “Grace in Scripture.” In that article, she summaries grace as follows:
Grace is:
- transformative and brings hope and peace,
- offers forgiveness & restored a relationship with God,
- power to heal past mistakes & sins,
- provides guidance, strength, and comfort in times of distress.
The New Testament (“N.T.”) continues to show the grace of God toward His creation, especially by St. Paul in his epistles. The Greek word for grace is charis. The table below shows some variable uses of the term grace.
| Grace is: | References |
| Kindness of God | Luke 1:30 |
| God’s favor, in Jesus | Romans 16:20
Philippians 4:23 Colossians 1:19 1 Thess. 5:28 |
| Underserved favor through Jesus | Ephesians 2:4-5 |
| Undeserved favor for sake of Christ | John 1:14 |
| Medium through which God has salvation | Titus 2:11 |
The N. T. has a multitude of examples of God’s grace, but perhaps the reference that pins God’s grace to His Son is John 1:17. Listen, “For the law was given though Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Interestingly, Jesus never used the term “grace (charis),” but he certainly espoused it! I would encourage you to reread the parable of the Prodigal Son (see Luke 15:11ff).
Certainly, St. Paul preaches God’s grace over and over again. At the conclusion of his first journey, Paul appears to the council in Jerusalem over circumcision and the law. Paul emphasizes that we are “saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus.” Paul opens his letter to the church at Ephesus, “…In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” Of course, in the next chapter, we have the all-famous verses (2:8-9) that we are saved by grace through faith. Finally, Paul writes to his student Titus, “we are justified by grace and thus become heirs of eternal life with Him. (Titus 3:7, paraphrased)
As I conclude my study, I believe that we can plainly see now that Jesus is truly the fullness (complete nature) of God’s grace. God truly had compassion on His creation thus gave the first gospel (Genesis 3:15) that shows His grace and mercy on creation. St. Paul writes in Romans that “we are righteous through faith in Jesus Christ.” Paul acknowledges to his readers that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But…we are justified freely by His grace through the righteousness that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:21, 23-24, paraphrased)
The final words on grace come from the concluding verse in Hebrews, “grace be with all of you.” Amen. But always remember this acronym GRACE: God’s righteousness at Christ’s expense.
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
