Without Grace, We Have Nothing.
Grace is a loaded word. It’s a term that gets thrown around regularly, but its meaning is often lost in translation. We see it appear in the Bible quite frequently. In fact, the English word “grace” itself originates from its Greek equivalent, charis. But what does this word mean? How do we understand and apply it? Is there more to grace than just an all-access pass to heaven? The answer to these questions and so much more can be found by exploring the meaning of grace as it appears throughout Scripture. Here are seven things you need to know about grace:
God has given me the grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem.
Romans 12:3
Everyday Meaning of Grace
Grace is the kindness, compassion, or forgiveness offered by another person. It need not be earned and is unconditional. It’s a gift freely given to us, even though we don’t always deserve it. Anyone can provide grace: a friend, a parent, a partner, or even God himself. Grace’s everyday, colloquial meaning is that it’s a blessing freely given to us by others. It’s an unmerited gift. With this in mind, we can see that grace does not have to be religious: it’s not an overtly Christian term. Grace is a word that is so often used but rarely defined. It’s a word that can be used for almost anything. It can be applied to many situations – and most people do. But when we talk about grace, we are talking about something much deeper than just a word that can be used in any situation.
Biblical Meaning of Grace
Let’s step back and understand the Biblical meaning of grace. In this context, grace is divine favor. It’s the free and unmerited gifts of God. Grace is that which cannot be earned through deeds or actions. Grace is what saves us, covers us in times of need, and will bring us into the presence of God. Grace is unearned favor. Grace is undeserved compassion. Grace is forgiveness freely given. Grace is an undeserved pardon. Grace is divine help. Grace is strength when we are weak. Grace is wisdom when we are foolish. Grace is mercy when we don’t deserve it. Grace is God’s love for us in spite of our flaws. Grace is the peace that comes from knowing that our sins are forgiven.
The Problem with Merriam-Webster’s Definition of Grace
If we look at Merriam-Webster’s definition of grace, we see that it’s: “an unmerited divine assistance enabling someone to be forgiven.” It’s a description of grace that is often used, but it’s one that misses the mark when applied to the Bible. It’s a definition that is far too narrow and lacks the depth that grace holds in the Bible. The problem with the modern definition is that it’s far too focused on the idea of forgiveness alone. The Bible uses the word grace to mean so much more than forgiveness. As we’ll see, grace is so much more than just the forgiveness of sins. It’s the unearned help and assistance we get from God in our time of need.
Biblical Meaning of Grace in the New Testament
Let’s start by looking at the New Testament’s meaning of grace. Here, grace is divine favor. The goodwill and kindness of God towards us. Grace is undeserved favor and gift. Let’s unpack this definition in a little more detail. There are three different ways that grace is used in the New Testament. We see these three distinct types of grace used in the New Testament. First, there is general grace. General Grace is the general provisions that God has given us to live and thrive in the world. Things like the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, and the food that we eat are all general provisions that God has given us. These are all forms of God’s Grace. Second, there is a special grace. Special Grace is God’s provision for our specific and unique needs. Special Grace is God’s provision for us when we don’t know what to do, when we don’t have the resources, or when we’re in a tight spot. Special Grace is God’s provision for us when we don’t know what to pray for. Third, there is covenant grace. Covenant grace is the Grace that God has promised as part of his covenant with his people. Covenant grace is not something that happens right away. Covenant grace is something that happens in due time. In due time, God’s Grace will be fully realized and fully manifest in his people. Covenant grace is God’s promise to his people. Covenant grace is God’s promise that he will give us what we need.
Biblical Meaning of Grace in the Old Testament
Let’s now look at the Old Testament meaning of grace. In the Old Testament, the sense of grace is that of divine favor. Unlike the New Testament, the Old Testament doesn’t use grace to refer to God’s provision for our specific needs. Instead, it’s used to refer to God’s general provision for us as human beings. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for grace is chen. It means the divine assistance that God gives us. It refers to the general provisions that God provides for us. These are the things that we take for granted in our daily lives. Things like the food we eat, the water that we drink, and the air that we breathe are all examples of chen.
Biblical meaning of Grace from Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and Romans
Now, let’s look at the biblical meaning of Grace from Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and Romans. Here, grace is the divine assistance given to us by God. Grace is the help God gives us when we don’t know what to do or don’t have the resources to do it ourselves. Grace is the divine assistance that God gives us when we don’t know what to pray for. Grace is the help that God gives us when we don’t know what to do. The biblical meaning of Grace from Paul’s letters to the Corinthians and Romans is the divine assistance that God gives us when we don’t know what to do. When we don’t have the resources to do it ourselves, God provides for us through his grace.
Conclusion
Grace is the kindness, compassion, or forgiveness offered by another person. It need not be earned and is unconditional. It’s a gift freely given to us, even though we don’t always deserve it. Anyone can provide grace: a friend, a parent, a partner, or even God himself. The everyday, colloquial meaning of grace is that it’s a blessing freely given to us by others. It’s an unmerited gift. With this in mind, we can see that grace does not have to be religious: it’s not an overtly Christian term.
