What Is Grace in the Bible?
Quick Summary
Grace in the Bible refers to God's unmerited favor and lovingkindness toward humanity. It is not something earned, but freely given by God, often in the face of human brokenness. Grace is both a theological anchor and a lived experience, shaping how we understand salvation, forgiveness, and relationship with God and others.
Introduction: The Word That Holds It All Together
If there’s one word that binds the entire biblical narrative together, it might just be grace. From the garden of Eden to the foot of the cross, and from the prophets to Paul, grace appears again and again as the posture God takes toward humanity: favor, forgiveness, and love not earned or deserved.
We say grace before meals. We sing about amazing grace. But when Scripture speaks of grace, it’s not just about politeness or a passing blessing. It's about how God deals with us—and how we, in turn, are called to live.
"But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."
— Ephesians 2:4–5 (NRSV)
Quickly, we see that grace isn’t a side topic. It’s the idea at the center of the Christian story.
Grace in the Old Testament
The word "grace" (Hebrew: chen) appears in the Hebrew Bible, often in the context of favor or kindness, especially in personal relationships. When Noah “found favor” in God’s eyes (Genesis 6:8; the first use of the grace word family in the Bible), the word used is chen. It's the same word used when Esther pleads for favor before the king (Esther 5:2).
In these stories, grace means being looked upon with kindness—often when danger or judgment could have come instead. It's relational, tender, and carries a sense of undeserved attention.
But Old Testament grace also runs deeper than a single word. God’s covenant with Israel, God's provision in the wilderness, and God's repeated mercy after Israel's failures all echo with the sound of grace. Psalm 103 captures the tone:
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."
— Psalm 103:8 (NRSV)
Grace in the Old Testament is not limited to individuals. It becomes a communal promise: God’s disposition toward a people who continually struggle to live faithfully.
Grace in the New Testament
If grace is a thread in the Old Testament, it becomes the dominant fabric in the New. The Greek word charis appears over 150 times in the New Testament, frequently in the writings of Paul. It signifies favor, kindness, and the generous, saving action of God through Jesus Christ.
Paul’s letters are soaked in grace:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith...” (Ephesians 2:8)
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” (Galatians 6:18)
“Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” (Romans 5:20)
Grace is not just God’s attitude; it is God’s action—God stepping into history in Christ to redeem a fallen world. It is God giving us what we could never earn.
Theological Perspectives on Grace
Augustine
Augustine wrote, “Grace alone brings about every good work in us.” His view emphasized the total dependence of humanity on God's initiative.
Martin Luther
Luther’s cry during the Reformation—sola gratia (grace alone)—stressed that salvation is not earned by good works but is a gift from God.
John Wesley
Wesley spoke of prevenient grace, justifying grace, and sanctifying grace. That is, grace is active before we believe, when we believe, and as we continue to grow in holiness.
All three perspectives agree: grace is a divine gift, not a human achievement.
Grace and Works
One of the great misunderstandings of grace is the assumption that it means works don’t matter. Paul anticipates this:
“Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means!”
— Romans 6:1–2 (NRSV)
Grace doesn’t nullify effort. It reorients it. We don’t work to be loved—we work because we are loved. Grace motivates gratitude and transformation, not complacency. Guilt —> Grace —> Gratitude.
Living in Grace
Grace is not only a concept to believe—it’s a way to live. Those who’ve been shown grace are called to show it. Jesus’ parables highlight this, especially the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21–35), where the one who was forgiven much refuses to forgive little.
Grace means letting go of bitterness. It means welcoming others. It means embracing weakness and failure as places where God’s love can still move.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness."
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NRSV)
A Table Summary of Grace in Scripture
| Scripture | Description of Grace |
|---|---|
| Genesis 6:8 | Noah found grace/favor in the eyes of the Lord. |
| Psalm 103:8 | God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger. |
| John 1:14 | Jesus is full of grace and truth. |
| Romans 3:24 | We are justified by God's grace as a gift. |
| Ephesians 2:8 | By grace you have been saved through faith. |
| 2 Corinthians 12:9 | God's grace is sufficient, even in weakness. |
Meaning for Today
Grace means you don’t have to pretend. You don’t have to earn God’s approval. It means your worst moment isn’t the end, and your best moment isn’t the reason God loves you.
Grace levels the playing field—reminding us that everyone is in need and everyone is invited. It calls us to humility and generosity. And it tells us, again and again, that we are held by a love that began before we knew it and won’t let us go.
