Grace (Chen, χάρις)

Concise Bible Dictionary:

The favor and graciousness shown by God to guilty man. It stands in contrast to law (John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17); Gal. 5:44Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4)); also to works and to desert or reward (Rom. 4:44Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (Romans 4:4); Rom. 11:66And 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. (Romans 11:6)): “by grace ye are saved” (Eph. 2:5,85Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:5)
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)). The grace of God is vouchsafed to the saints all along the way: we find nearly all the Epistles commence and end with the invocation of grace on the churches: whereas when individuals are addressed MERCY is added (1 Tim. 1:22Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Timothy 1:2); 2 Tim. 1:22To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (2 Timothy 1:2); Titus 1:44To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. (Titus 1:4); 2 John 1:33Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. (2 John 3)). The different aspects of grace and mercy have been thus set forth: “Grace refers more to the source and character of the sentiment; mercy to the state of the person who is its object. Grace may give me glory; mercy contemplates some need in me. Mercy is great in the greatness of the need; grace in the thought of the person exercising it.”

From Anstey’s Doctrinal Definitions:

This refers to God’s unmerited favour toward men. It is getting something good from God that we have not merited. The greatest of these free gifts of God’s grace is the salvation of our souls (Rom. 11:5-65Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6And 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. (Romans 11:5‑6); Eph.1:7; 2:8; 1 Peter 1:99Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:9)). The practical effect of the working of God’s grace in the human heart makes the recipient a spontaneous and thankful worshipper (Ruth 2:1010Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? (Ruth 2:10); John 9:35-3835Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. (John 9:35‑38)). It also produces a desire in souls to please the Lord by “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,” and living “soberly, righteously, and godly in this world” (Titus 2:11-1211For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:11‑12)). It also produces energy to serve Him (1 Sam. 25:4141And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord. (1 Samuel 25:41); 1 Cor. 15:1010But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)).

Related Books and Articles:

Grace: November 2005