What Is This Thing Called Grace?
At first mention in the bible, systematically, the word grace in its generic form simply means favor; Thus, "Noah found grace [Heb. chen favor] in the eyes of the Lord" (Gen. 6:8). The Hebrew word chen is translated elsewhere in the Old Testament as either grace or favor (e.g. Gen. 18:3 favor and 19:19 grace; 39:4 grace and 39:21 favor).
The idea of grace as favor can be seen and understood in the context of the following scriptures:
"Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. 2And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she "obtained" favor [grace], in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter. 3Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom" (Esth. 5:1-3 emphasis mine)(e.g. Esth. 2:15,5:8,7:3,8:5; Heb. 4:16)
Here, we find that although under the condemnation of the law, Esther, a young Jewish girl obtained grace "favor" (Heb.chen) in the eyes of the king and was granted her petition. What a beautiful picture of what happens to the believer in Christ today when he/she petitions our heavenly Father.
In fact, the New Testament anti-type of this verse is revealed in the book to the Hebrews. It reads:
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace [charis], that we may "obtain" mercy, and find grace [charis] to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16 emphasis mine).
Whenever God is doing something for us, to us, in us, or through us, it is through the means of and to the glory of His grace (Eph. 1:6). Whenever grace is supplied to the believer it is always given to "help in the time of need."
Thus, grace is and always brings with it a divine benefit of a sort.
Mercy, forgiveness, divine enablement, and strength to walk in our gifts and calling flow [freely] from the throne of grace to the believer.
In a soteriological sense,as it relates to salvation, grace is a spiritual principle, and a foundational doctrine of righteousness by faith. It is based on and defined as unmerited favor, extended to an undeserving sinner who exercises faith in the finished work of Christ at the cross.
In the New Testament, the Greek word charis bears out the benevolent aspect of grace as a gift (or divine benefit); Therefore, grace and its divine benefit is undeserved and without merit (performance or works) on the part of the receiver.
One cannot earn nor does one deserve grace. Yet, it is sufficient and more than enough for any contingency (2 Cor. 12:9).
If grace (of any sort) were based on merit, then, as the apostle Paul says, it would no longer qualify as grace because the gift (divine benefit) would be "reconkoned" of debt (obligation).
"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:4-5).
"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work" (Rom.11:6).
The heart of the matter is;
There is more than one aspect of the meaning of the word grace as it is systematically revealed in scripture.
While the Old Testament carries the generic meaning of favor, in the New Testament grace carries an expanded meaning depending on the circumstances, setting, and context in which the word grace [charis] is found.
So, when we think of defining grace, the context and setting must be considered in order to understand the intended meaning. For example:
1) Saving grace is -- God doing something for us (saving us).
2) Sanctifying grace -- is God doing something in us (sanctifying us).
3) Persevering (or preserving) grace is -- God doing something to us (preserving us).
4) Enabling grace is -- God doing something through us.
In my opinion, no one is entirely right and no one is entirely wrong in defining grace, since there is much more to God's grace than any of us have ever been exposed to. No wonder the apostle Peter said this about grace:
"As every man hath received the gift (charisma), even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold [Gk. -poikilos-, various colors, variegated, of various sorts] grace of God." (1 Pet. 4:10 emphasis mine)
Like a rare and treasured diamond, grace is manifold or multi-faceted; each facet revealing a unique and brilliant perspective of the beauty of the whole. The wonder of its beauty and inestimable worth can only be fully appreciated when its context and setting is considered and understood with the help of the Holy Spirit.
There is yet a further distinction that needs to be made between covenant grace and common grace. For many years, I did not understand St. John 1:16 and the phrase "and grace for grace." It seemed there were two kinds of grace. Why two kinds of grace? After many years the Holy Spirit gave me the meaning. Allow me to share what I received.
It seems, all men (saved or not) are recipients of what I call common grace (sometimes called prevenient grace) and enjoy certain common benefits or blessings of God's goodness and mercy, which is afforded to lead them to repentance (Rom. 2:4).
At conversion however, common grace gives way to covenant grace; a state of grace (sometimes called subsequent grace) which is: a state of redemptive favor and blessing based on the blood atonement and the finished work of Calvary.
Believers, alone have this special measure (or fullness) of grace that abounds. That common grace leads to covenant grace can be seen in the following scriptures:
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.(Jn. 1:14-16 emphasis mine)
John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fullness have all we received, and [covenant] grace] for [common] grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (Jn. 1:
The word "for" (Gk. anti) in this verse means in stead of, in place of, or in the room of. So the intended meaning is:
Jesus gives the believer covenant grace to take the place of common grace. He gives us "grace for grace." When the scripture says Jesus was "full of grace and truth," this verse does not imply that Jesus needed grace and truth; but rather, it means that he was full (Gk. -pleres-) complete, perfect, and lacked nothing of grace and truth. It means that He is the source of grace and truth, the giver not the receiver (Jn. 1:16).
So, what is this thing called grace?
It is the gift of God's unmerited favor that brings a divine benefit of a sort to undeserving people during a time of need. To one, grace is divine virtue; to another, divine assistance; to another, divine enable-ment, etc; always on time, always enough, always free.
"To the praise of the glory of His grace" (Eph. 1:6)
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