Grafted Biblical Concept · Concept

Grace

χάρις · Charis · G5485

Grace refers to favor, generosity, gift, kindness, and beneficent action freely extended by God.

145 Scripture references3 lexical sources65 supporting resources

Primary Study

Grafted Bible Dictionary

Definition

Grace refers to favor, generosity, gift, kindness, and beneficent action freely extended by God.
Grace should not be defined merely as "the opposite of law."

Tanakh Background

God's favor and mercy permeate the Hebrew Scriptures.
Noah "found favor" in God's eyes:
• Genesis 6:8
God reveals Himself to Torah.">Moses as merciful and gracious:
Israel from slavery in Egypt under Moses.">Exodus 34:6–7

New Testament

Grace becomes especially prominent in apostolic explanations of salvation.
See:
• John 1:14–17
• Romans 3:24
• Romans 5
• Ephesians 2:8–10
• Titus 2:11–14

Grace and Obedience

Titus 2 says grace trains believers to reject ungodliness and live righteous lives.
Grace therefore does not merely pardon; it transforms.

Grace and Torah

Yeshua whose mission focuses especially on proclaiming the gospel among Gentiles.">Paul's contrast is not simply:
Grace versus obedience.
His concern is salvation by God's gracious action rather than human merit.
The Torah itself already operates within a covenant established by divine grace.
Israel is redeemed from Egypt before receiving Sinai's commandments.
Editorial source: Grafted Bible Dictionary · Entry 69

Hebrew and Greek Word Study

Greek Word Study

χάρις

cháris · G5485

Unified Lexical Definition

χάρις, -ιτος, ἡ Abbott-Smith does not include the article here. , accusative, χάριν (χάριτα in Act.24:27, Ju 4; see WH, App., 157), [in LXX chiefly for חֵן ;] __1. objectively, that which causes favourable regard, gracefulness, grace, loveliness of form, graciousness of speech (cl.; Ecc.10:12, Sir.21:16, al.): Col.4:6; λόγοι τ. χάριτος (genitive qual.), Luk.4:22. __2. Subjectively, __(a) on the part of the giver, grace, graciousness, kindness, goodwill, favour: Luk.2:52, Act.7:10, al.; esp. in NT of the divine favour, grace, with emphasis on its freeness and universality: Luk.1:30, Act.14:26, Rom.1:7, 1Co.1:3, al.; opposite to ὀφείλημα, Rom.4:4, 16; to ἔργα, Rom.11:6; __(b) on the part of the receiver, a sense of favour received, thanks, gratitude: Rom.6:17 7:25, al.; χ. ἔχειν, to be thankful, Luk.17:9, 1Ti.1:12, al. __3. Objectively, of the effect of grace, __(a) a state of grace: Rom.5:2, 2Ti.2:1, 1Pe.5:12, 2Pe.3:18; __(b) a proof or gift of grace (cl., a favour): Jhn.1:16, Act.6:8, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:10, 2Co.9:8, Gal.2:9, Eph.3:2, 1Pe.5:5, 10 al. (For fuller treatment of the NT usage, see AR, Eph., 221ff.; DB, ii, 254ff.; DCG, i, 686ff.; Cremer, see word). (AS) pleasing show, charm; beauty, gracefulness; a pleasing circumstance, matter of approval, 1 Pe. 2.19, 20; kindly bearing, graciousness, Lu. 4.22; a beneficial opportunity, benefit, 2 Co. 1.15. Eph. 4.29; a charitable act, generous gift, 1 Co. 16.3. 2 Co. 8.4, 6, et al.; an act of favour, Ac. 25.3; favour, acceptance, Lu. 1.30, 52. Ac. 2.47; 7.10, 46; free favour, free gift, grace, Jno. 1.14, 16, 17; Ro. 4.4, 16; 11.5, 6. Eph. 2.5, 8. 1 Pe. 3.7; free favour specially manifested by God towards man in the Gospel scheme, grace, Ac. 15.11. Ro. 3.24; 5.15, 17, 20, 21; 6.1. 2 Co. 4.15, et al.; a gracious provision, gracious scheme, grace, Ro. 6.14, 15. He. 2.9; 12.28; 13.9; gracious dealing from God, grace, Ac. 14.26; 15.40. Ro. 1.7. 1 Co. 1.4; 15.10. Ga. 1.15, et al.; a commission graciously devolved by God upon a human agent, Ro. 1.5; 12.3; 15.15. 1 Co. 3.10. 2 Co. 1.12. Ga. 2.9. Eph. 3.8; grace, graciously bestowed divine endowment or influence, Lu. 2.40. Ac. 4.33; 11.23. Ro. 12.6. 2 Co. 12.9, et al.; grace, a graciously vouchsafed spiritual position, Ac. 11.43. Ro. 5.2. Ga. 5.4. 2 Pe. 3.18; an emotion correspondent to what is pleasing or kindly; sense of obligation, Lu. 17.9; a grateful frame of mind, 1 Co. 10.30; thanks, Lu. 6.32, 33, 34. Ro. 6.17. 1 Co. 15.57, et al.; χάριν v. χάριτας καταθέσθαι, to oblige, gratify, Ac. 24.27; 25.9

Lexical Sources

TBESGSTEPBible TBESG (based primarily on Abbott-Smith)

χάρις, -ιτος, ἡ Abbott-Smith does not include the article here. , accusative, χάριν (χάριτα in Act.24:27, Ju 4; see WH, App., 157), [in LXX chiefly for חֵן ;] __1. objectively, that which causes favourable regard, gracefulness, grace, loveliness of form, graciousness of speech (cl.; Ecc.10:12, Sir.21:16, al.): Col.4:6; λόγοι τ. χάριτος (genitive qual.), Luk.4:22. __2. Subjectively, __(a) on the part of the giver, grace, graciousness, kindness, goodwill, favour: Luk.2:52, Act.7:10, al.; esp. in NT of the divine favour, grace, with emphasis on its freeness and universality: Luk.1:30, Act.14:26, Rom.1:7, 1Co.1:3, al.; opposite to ὀφείλημα, Rom.4:4, 16; to ἔργα, Rom.11:6; __(b) on the part of the receiver, a sense of favour received, thanks, gratitude: Rom.6:17 7:25, al.; χ. ἔχειν, to be thankful, Luk.17:9, 1Ti.1:12, al. __3. Objectively, of the effect of grace, __(a) a state of grace: Rom.5:2, 2Ti.2:1, 1Pe.5:12, 2Pe.3:18; __(b) a proof or gift of grace (cl., a favour): Jhn.1:16, Act.6:8, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:10, 2Co.9:8, Gal.2:9, Eph.3:2, 1Pe.5:5, 10 al. (For fuller treatment of the NT usage, see AR, Eph., 221ff.; DB, ii, 254ff.; DCG, i, 686ff.; Cremer, see word). (AS)

Lemma
χάρις
Meaning
grace
View original lexicon entry
{
    "type": "abbott-smith",
    "slug": "g5485",
    "title": "χάρις",
    "source": "STEPBible TBESG (based primarily on Abbott-Smith)",
    "strong": "G5485",
    "language": "greek",
    "lemma": "χάρις",
    "transliteration": "charis",
    "pronunciation": "",
    "part_of_speech": "G:N-F",
    "meaning": "",
    "description": "",
    "definition": "χάρις, -ιτος, ἡ Abbott-Smith does not include the article here. , accusative, χάριν (χάριτα in Act.24:27, Ju 4; see WH, App., 157), [in LXX chiefly for חֵן ;] __1. objectively, that which causes favourable regard, gracefulness, grace, loveliness of form, graciousness of speech (cl.; Ecc.10:12, Sir.21:16, al.): Col.4:6; λόγοι τ. χάριτος (genitive qual.), Luk.4:22. __2. Subjectively, __(a) on the part of the giver, grace, graciousness, kindness, goodwill, favour: Luk.2:52, Act.7:10, al.; esp. in NT of the divine favour, grace, with emphasis on its freeness and universality: Luk.1:30, Act.14:26, Rom.1:7, 1Co.1:3, al.; opposite to ὀφείλημα, Rom.4:4, 16; to ἔργα, Rom.11:6; __(b) on the part of the receiver, a sense of favour received, thanks, gratitude: Rom.6:17 7:25, al.; χ. ἔχειν, to be thankful, Luk.17:9, 1Ti.1:12, al. __3. Objectively, of the effect of grace, __(a) a state of grace: Rom.5:2, 2Ti.2:1, 1Pe.5:12, 2Pe.3:18; __(b) a proof or gift of grace (cl., a favour): Jhn.1:16, Act.6:8, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:10, 2Co.9:8, Gal.2:9, Eph.3:2, 1Pe.5:5, 10 al. (For fuller treatment of the NT usage, see AR, Eph., 221ff.; DB, ii, 254ff.; DCG, i, 686ff.; Cremer, see word). (AS)",
    "glosses": [
        "grace",
        "acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy)"
    ],
    "lexical_summary": [],
    "exhaustive_concordance": [],
    "brown_driver_briggs": [],
    "topical_lexicon": [],
    "occurrences": [],
    "references": [
        {
            "osis": "Act.24.27",
            "display": "Act.24:27"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Jude.4",
            "display": "Ju 4"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Ecc.10.12",
            "display": "Ecc.10:12"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Sir.21.16",
            "display": "Sir.21:16"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Col.4.6",
            "display": "Col.4:6"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Luk.4.22.",
            "display": "Luk.4:22."
        },
        {
            "osis": "Luk.2.52",
            "display": "Luk.2:52"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Act.7.10",
            "display": "Act.7:10"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Luk.1.30",
            "display": "Luk.1:30"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Act.14.26",
            "display": "Act.14:26"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.1.7",
            "display": "Rom.1:7"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Co.1.3",
            "display": "1Co.1:3"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.4.4, 16",
            "display": "Rom.4:4, 16"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.11.6",
            "display": "Rom.11:6;"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.6.17; 7.25",
            "display": "Rom.6:17 7:25"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Luk.17.9",
            "display": "Luk.17:9"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Ti.1.12",
            "display": "1Ti.1:12"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.5.2",
            "display": "Rom.5:2"
        },
        {
            "osis": "2Ti.2.1",
            "display": "2Ti.2:1"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Pe.5.12",
            "display": "1Pe.5:12"
        },
        {
            "osis": "2Pe.3.18",
            "display": "2Pe.3:18"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Jhn.1.16",
            "display": "Jhn.1:16"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Act.6.8",
            "display": "Act.6:8"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Rom.1.5",
            "display": "Rom.1:5"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Co.3.10",
            "display": "1Co.3:10"
        },
        {
            "osis": "2Co.9.8",
            "display": "2Co.9:8"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Gal.2.9",
            "display": "Gal.2:9"
        },
        {
            "osis": "Eph.3.2",
            "display": "Eph.3:2"
        },
        {
            "osis": "1Pe.5.5, 10",
            "display": "1Pe.5:5, 10"
        }
    ],
    "occurrence_count": 153,
    "url": "bible/greek/g5485",
    "source_url": "https://github.com/openscriptures/strongs",
    "source_license": "CC BY-SA"
}
A GREEK-ENGLISH LEXICOA Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament

pleasing show, charm; beauty, gracefulness; a pleasing circumstance, matter of approval, 1 Pe. 2.19, 20; kindly bearing, graciousness, Lu. 4.22; a beneficial opportunity, benefit, 2 Co. 1.15. Eph. 4.29; a charitable act, generous gift, 1 Co. 16.3. 2 Co. 8.4, 6, et al.; an act of favour, Ac. 25.3; favour, acceptance, Lu. 1.30, 52. Ac. 2.47; 7.10, 46; free favour, free gift, grace, Jno. 1.14, 16, 17; Ro. 4.4, 16; 11.5, 6. Eph. 2.5, 8. 1 Pe. 3.7; free favour specially manifested by God towards man in the Gospel scheme, grace, Ac. 15.11. Ro. 3.24; 5.15, 17, 20, 21; 6.1. 2 Co. 4.15, et al.; a gracious provision, gracious scheme, grace, Ro. 6.14, 15. He. 2.9; 12.28; 13.9; gracious dealing from God, grace, Ac. 14.26; 15.40. Ro. 1.7. 1 Co. 1.4; 15.10. Ga. 1.15, et al.; a commission graciously devolved by God upon a human agent, Ro. 1.5; 12.3; 15.15. 1 Co. 3.10. 2 Co. 1.12. Ga. 2.9. Eph. 3.8; grace, graciously bestowed divine endowment or influence, Lu. 2.40. Ac. 4.33; 11.23. Ro. 12.6. 2 Co. 12.9, et al.; grace, a graciously vouchsafed spiritual position, Ac. 11.43. Ro. 5.2. Ga. 5.4. 2 Pe. 3.18; an emotion correspondent to what is pleasing or kindly; sense of obligation, Lu. 17.9; a grateful frame of mind, 1 Co. 10.30; thanks, Lu. 6.32, 33, 34. Ro. 6.17. 1 Co. 15.57, et al.; χάριν v. χάριτας καταθέσθαι, to oblige, gratify, Ac. 24.27; 25.9

View original lexicon entry
{
    "type": "greenfield",
    "slug": "greenfield-75bbf2eafb49",
    "title": "Χάρις",
    "source": "A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament",
    "strong": "G5485",
    "language": "greek",
    "lemma": "Χάρις",
    "transliteration": "cháris",
    "pronunciation": "",
    "part_of_speech": "",
    "meaning": "",
    "description": "",
    "definition": "pleasing show, charm; beauty, gracefulness; a pleasing circumstance, matter of approval, 1 Pe. 2.19, 20; kindly bearing, graciousness, Lu. 4.22; a beneficial opportunity, benefit, 2 Co. 1.15. Eph. 4.29; a charitable act, generous gift, 1 Co. 16.3. 2 Co. 8.4, 6, et al.; an act of favour, Ac. 25.3; favour, acceptance, Lu. 1.30, 52. Ac. 2.47; 7.10, 46; free favour, free gift, grace, Jno. 1.14, 16, 17; Ro. 4.4, 16; 11.5, 6. Eph. 2.5, 8. 1 Pe. 3.7; free favour specially manifested by God towards man in the Gospel scheme, grace, Ac. 15.11. Ro. 3.24; 5.15, 17, 20, 21; 6.1. 2 Co. 4.15, et al.; a gracious provision, gracious scheme, grace, Ro. 6.14, 15. He. 2.9; 12.28; 13.9; gracious dealing from God, grace, Ac. 14.26; 15.40. Ro. 1.7. 1 Co. 1.4; 15.10. Ga. 1.15, et al.; a commission graciously devolved by God upon a human agent, Ro. 1.5; 12.3; 15.15. 1 Co. 3.10. 2 Co. 1.12. Ga. 2.9. Eph. 3.8; grace, graciously bestowed divine endowment or influence, Lu. 2.40. Ac. 4.33; 11.23. Ro. 12.6. 2 Co. 12.9, et al.; grace, a graciously vouchsafed spiritual position, Ac. 11.43. Ro. 5.2. Ga. 5.4. 2 Pe. 3.18; an emotion correspondent to what is pleasing or kindly; sense of obligation, Lu. 17.9; a grateful frame of mind, 1 Co. 10.30; thanks, Lu. 6.32, 33, 34. Ro. 6.17. 1 Co. 15.57, et al.; χάριν v. χάριτας καταθέσθαι, to oblige, gratify, Ac. 24.27; 25.9",
    "glosses": [
        "acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy)"
    ],
    "lexical_summary": [],
    "exhaustive_concordance": [],
    "brown_driver_briggs": [],
    "topical_lexicon": [],
    "occurrences": [],
    "references": [],
    "occurrence_count": 153,
    "url": "bible/greenfield/greenfield-75bbf2eafb49",
    "source_url": "https://github.com/openscriptures/strongs",
    "source_license": "CC BY-SA"
}
STRONG'SStrong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete literal, figurative or spiritual especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life including gratitude)

View original lexicon entry
{
    "strongs": "G5485",
    "language": "greek",
    "lemma": "χάρις",
    "transliteration": "cháris",
    "pronunciation": "",
    "part_of_speech": "",
    "glosses": [
        "acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace(- ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank(-s, -worthy)"
    ],
    "definitions": [
        "graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete",
        "literal, figurative or spiritual",
        "especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life",
        "including gratitude)"
    ],
    "administrator_commentary": "",
    "source": {
        "dataset": "Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon",
        "provider": "Open Scriptures",
        "url": "https://github.com/openscriptures/strongs",
        "license": "CC BY-SA"
    },
    "version": 1,
    "updated_at": "2026-08-05T10:41:57-05:00",
    "strong": "G5485"
}

New Testament Usage

153 occurrences

First listed reference: Act.24.27

View All Greek Occurrences

Sources: STEPBible TBESG (based primarily on Abbott-Smith) · A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament · Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

Biblical Usage

Concordance and Scripture Usage

145Exact Lemma213Conceptual Relationship
Gospels · 11
Acts · 17
Epistles · 115
Romans 1:5Exact LemmaRomans 1:7Exact LemmaRomans 3:24Exact LemmaRomans 4:4Exact LemmaRomans 4:16Exact LemmaRomans 5:2Exact LemmaRomans 5:15Exact LemmaRomans 5:17Exact LemmaRomans 5:20Exact LemmaRomans 5:21Exact LemmaRomans 6:1Exact LemmaRomans 6:14Exact LemmaRomans 6:15Exact LemmaRomans 6:17Exact LemmaRomans 7:25Exact LemmaRomans 11:5Exact LemmaRomans 11:6Exact LemmaRomans 12:3Exact LemmaRomans 12:6Exact LemmaRomans 15:15Exact LemmaRomans 16:20Exact Lemma1 Corinthians 1:3Exact Lemma1 Corinthians 1:4Exact Lemma1 Corinthians 3:10Exact Lemma1 Corinthians 10:30Exact Lemma1 Corinthians 15:10Exact Lemma1 Corinthians 15:57Exact Lemma1 Corinthians 16:3Exact Lemma1 Corinthians 16:23Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 1:2Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 1:12Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 1:15Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 2:14Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 4:15Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 6:1Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 8:1Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 8:4Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 8:6Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 8:7Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 8:9Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 8:16Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 8:19Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 9:8Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 9:14Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 9:15Exact Lemma2 Corinthians 12:9Exact LemmaGalatians 1:3Exact LemmaGalatians 1:6Exact LemmaGalatians 1:15Exact LemmaGalatians 2:9Exact LemmaGalatians 2:21Exact LemmaGalatians 5:4Exact LemmaGalatians 6:18Exact LemmaEphesians 1:2Exact LemmaEphesians 1:6Exact LemmaEphesians 1:7Exact LemmaEphesians 2:5Exact LemmaEphesians 2:7Exact LemmaEphesians 2:8Exact LemmaEphesians 3:2Exact LemmaEphesians 3:7Exact LemmaEphesians 3:8Exact LemmaEphesians 4:7Exact LemmaEphesians 4:29Exact LemmaEphesians 6:24Exact LemmaPhilippians 1:2Exact LemmaPhilippians 1:7Exact LemmaPhilippians 4:23Exact LemmaColossians 1:2Exact LemmaColossians 1:6Exact LemmaColossians 3:16Exact LemmaColossians 4:6Exact LemmaColossians 4:18Exact Lemma1 Thessalonians 1:1Exact Lemma1 Thessalonians 5:28Exact Lemma2 Thessalonians 1:2Exact Lemma2 Thessalonians 1:12Exact Lemma2 Thessalonians 2:16Exact Lemma2 Thessalonians 3:18Exact Lemma1 Timothy 1:2Exact Lemma1 Timothy 1:12Exact Lemma1 Timothy 1:14Exact Lemma2 Timothy 1:2Exact Lemma2 Timothy 1:3Exact Lemma2 Timothy 1:9Exact Lemma2 Timothy 2:1Exact Lemma2 Timothy 4:22Exact LemmaTitus 1:4Exact LemmaTitus 2:11Exact LemmaTitus 3:7Exact LemmaTitus 3:15Exact LemmaPhilemon 1:3Exact LemmaPhilemon 1:25Exact LemmaHebrews 2:9Exact LemmaHebrews 4:16Exact LemmaHebrews 10:29Exact LemmaHebrews 12:15Exact LemmaHebrews 12:28Exact LemmaHebrews 13:9Exact LemmaHebrews 13:25Exact LemmaJames 4:6Exact Lemma1 Peter 1:2Exact Lemma1 Peter 1:10Exact Lemma1 Peter 1:13Exact Lemma1 Peter 2:19Exact Lemma1 Peter 2:20Exact Lemma1 Peter 3:7Exact Lemma1 Peter 4:10Exact Lemma1 Peter 5:5Exact Lemma1 Peter 5:10Exact Lemma1 Peter 5:12Exact Lemma2 Peter 1:2Exact Lemma2 Peter 3:18Exact Lemma2 John 1:3Exact LemmaJude 1:4Exact Lemma
Revelation · 2

Reference Works

Bible Dictionary, Encyclopedia, and Names

Unified Dictionary Summary

Grace refers to favor, generosity, gift, kindness, and beneficent action freely extended by God.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)
(1.) Of form or person (Prov. 1:9; 3:22; Ps. 45:2). (2.) Favour, kindness, friendship (Gen. 6:8; 18:3; 19:19; 2 Tim. 1:9). (3.) God's forgiving mercy (Rom. 11:6; Eph. 2:5). (4.) The gospel as distinguished from the law (John 1:17; Rom. 6:14; 1 Pet. 5:12). (5.) Gifts freely bestowed by God; as miracles, prophecy, tongues (Rom. 15:15; 1 Cor. 15:10; Eph. 3:8). (6.) Christian virtues (2 Cor. 8:7; 2 Pet. 3:18). (7.) The glory hereafter to be revealed (1 Pet. 1:13).

Sources: Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)

A Biblical and Theological Dictionary
This word is understood in several senses: for beauty, graceful form, and agreeableness of person, Prov. i, 9; iii, 22. For favour, friendship, kindness, Gen. vi, 8; xviii, 3; Rom. xi, 6; 2 Tim. i, 9. For pardon, mercy, undeserved remission of offences, Eph. ii, 5; Col. i, 6. For certain gifts of God, which he bestows freely, when, where, and on whom, he pleases; such are the gifts of miracles, prophecy, languages, &c, Rom. xv, 15; 1 Cor. xv, 10; Eph. iii, 8, &c. For the Gospel dispensation, in contradistinction to that of the law, Rom. vi, 14; 1 Peter v, 12. For a liberal and charitable disposition, 2 Cor. viii, 7. For eternal life, or final salvation, 1 Peter i, 13. In theological language grace also signifies divine influence upon the soul; and it derives the name from this being the effect of the great grace or favour of God to mankind. Austin defines inward actual grace to be the inspiration of love, which prompts us to practise according to what we know, out of a religious affection and compliance. He says, likewise, that the grace of God is the blessing of God’s sweet influence, whereby we are induced to take pleasure in that which he commands, to desire and to love it; and that if God does not prevent us with this blessing, what he commands, not only is not perfected, but is not so much as begun in us. Without the inward grace of Jesus Christ, man is not able to do the least thing that is good. He stands in need of this grace to begin, continue, and finish all the good he does, or rather, which God does in him and with him, by his grace. This grace is free; it is not due to us: if it were due to us, it would be no more grace; it would be a debt, Rom. xi, 6; it is in its nature an assistance so powerful and efficacious, that it surmounts the obstinacy of the most rebellious human heart, without destroying human liberty. There is no subject on which Christian doctors have written so largely, as on the several particulars relating to the grace of God. The difficulty consists in reconciling human liberty with the operation of divine grace; the concurrence of man with the influence and assistance of the Almighty. And who is able to set up an accurate boundary between these two things? Who can pretend to know how far the privileges of grace extend over the heart of man, and what that man’s liberty exactly is, who is prevented, enlightened, moved, and attracted by grace?

Sources: A Biblical and Theological Dictionary

Save your study

Sign in to bookmark this study or add notes.

↑ Top