Grace (Chen, χάρις)

Concise Bible Dictionary:

The favor and graciousness shown by God to guilty man. It stands in contrast to law (John 1:17; Gal. 5:4); also to works and to desert or reward (Rom. 4:4; Rom. 11:6): “by grace ye are saved” (Eph. 2:5,8). 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. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Titus 1:4; 2 John 1:3). 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. 11:5-6; Eph.1:7; 2:8; 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 2:10; 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 2:11-12). It also produces energy to serve Him (1 Sam. 25:41; 1 Cor. 15:10).
God’s grace is also towards His people providing various kinds of practical help in the circumstances of life, and this enables them to go on in adverse situations for Him (2 Cor. 12:9-10; Heb. 12:28; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:10). (See Mercy.)

Related Books and Articles: