GRACE
The Greek word for "grace" is charis. It is defined as: "good will, loving kindness, favor, benefit, bounty, recompense, reward" (Thayer), "on the part of the bestower, the friendly disposition from which the kindly act proceeds, loving-kindness, good will generally" (Vines), "benefit, favor, gift, liberality, pleasure, joy, thank" (Strongs). It is translated by many English words in the New Testament: benefit (2 Corinthians 1:15), favor (Luke 1:30), gift (2 Corinthians 8:4), grace (Ephesians 2:8), gracious (Luke 4:22), joy (Philemon 1:7), liberality (1 Corinthians 16:3), pleasure (Acts 24:27), thank (Luke 6:32-34), thanked (Romans 6:17), thanks (2 Corinthians 9:15), thankworthy (1 Peter 2:19).
The word charis simply has to do with favor, benefit or loving kindness that is shown by one toward another: whether it be God to man or man to man. There is nothing in the word itself that has to do with whether the grace, benefit or favor extended is deserved or not deserved, earned or unearned. This is borne out by the many uses of the word.
The church at Corinth took up collections and bestowed grace (favor, bounty, good will) upon the needy (2 Corinthians 8:6-7; [bible 2 Corinthians 8:19). This action is called their liberality — their grace (1 Corinthians 16:3). When we speak wholesome words, it graces (benefits, favors) the hearers (Ephesians 4:29). We are to sing with grace (loving-kindness, pleasure, joy, good will) in our hearts (Colossians 3:16). Our speech is to be always with grace (benefit, favor, bounty) (Colossians 4:6). It is a good thing that our hearts be established with grace (loving kindness, favor) and not be carried about with many strange false doctrines that would prohibit such bounty (Hebrews 13:9).
There are examples of God bestowing grace upon individuals that is not connected with salvation. When the angel Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to Mary, he said,"Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God" (Luke 1:30). As Jesus grew as a child we learn that he "…increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52). The word favor in these two verses is the Greek word charis.
The word "grace" does not always indicate that which is good. It is used sometimes in a bad or evil sense such as when one does a favor for another hoping to gain a reward. In Acts 24:27 we learn that "Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure (grace, benefit), left Paul bound." We also read this regarding Festus (Acts 25:9). WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT GRACE
The New Testament is filled with references to the "grace of God." It is connected with many different things. For example:
We read about: the word of God's grace (Acts 14:3; Acts 20:32), the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:7), the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), Jesus dying for every man by grace (Hebrews 2:9), grace coming by Jesus Christ (John 1:17).
One can: find it (Hebrews 4:16), see it (Acts 11:23), receive it (Romans 1:5), stand in it (Romans 5:2; 1 Peter 5:12), continue in it (Acts 13:43), grow in it (2 Peter 3:18), believe through it (Acts 18:27), have consolation and good hope through it (2 Thessalonians 2:16), know it in truth (Colossians 1:6).
Grace can: abound (Romans 5:20; Romans 6:1; 2 Corintians 9:8), reign (Romans 5:21), be given (Romans 12:3; Romans 12:6; Romans 15:5; 1 Corinthians 1:4; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Ephesians 4:7; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5), be perceived (Galatians 2:9), be with us (Romans 16:20; Romans 16:24; 2 Corinthians 13:14), be bestowed (1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthinas 8:1), be multiplied through the knowledge of God (2 Peter 1:2).
One can be: called into it (Galatians 1:6), called by it (Galatians 1:15), recommended to it (Acts 14:26), saved by it (Ephesians 2:5; [bibleEphesians 2:8]), saved through it (Acts 15:11), justified by it (Romans 3:24; Titus 3:7), strong in it (2 Timothy 2:1).
One can also: frustrate it (Galatians 2:21), show insult to it (Hebrews 10:29), receive it in vain (2 Corinthians 6:1), fail in it (Hebrews 12:15), and fall from it (Galatians 5:4).
Grace brings salvation (Titus 2:11), has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11) and teaches us how to live (Titus 2:12). We have access to grace by faith (Romans 5:2). We learn that grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9), and that grace will be brought when Christ comes again (1 Peter 1:13).
Old Testament characters found grace in the eyes of the Lord: Noah (Genesis 6:8), Israel (Acts 7:46). All faithful Christians (Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:24) enjoy God's bountiful grace.
You also can enjoy God's grace if you will believe and obey God. Without obedience, no one will receive God's grace (Matthew 7:21-23; Hebrews 5:8-9). Will you believe, repent, confess Christ and be baptized to receive God's grace? Why not today?