GRACE

Rethinking Bible Terms.

Since the nineteen sixties, an erroneous definition of a much used Bible word has permeated the denominations in America. The word is “grace.” This is a fundamental term describing God’s dealings with His people. It affects the understanding of God's plan of salvation. After discovering the common definition of grace especially as “favor” with its synonyms of “favor” in Greek and Hebrew dictionaries, the common tendency is to tack on the descriptive term “unmerited” as a “prefix.” This is claimed as required by its use in such passages as Ephesians 2:8-10.

This is the error that colors every interpretation of its use in the Bible.

One argument: It has different applications and nuances which allow for “unmerited” to be added.

Three basic people illustrations that destroy the universal use of tacking on of “unmerited” as its definition.

^{Genesis 6:8} Yet truly, Noah found grace [χάριν LXX] before the Lord. ⁹ These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.⁴

NOAH. Does the use of “grace” in the eyes of God for Noah include “unmerited.” No. If not, then the definition is not universally applied.

^{Exodus 33:13} Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. ^{14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. 16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. 17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.}

MOSES.  Exodus 33. There, in the space of six verses, Moses is said to have found favor with God five times, hen [ej] being translated either "find favor" or "be pleased with." At the beginning of the chapter, he requests that God teach him his ways, so that he may "know you and continue to find favor with you" (v. 13).  God promises to go with him in the next verse because "I am pleased with you and I know you by name" (v. 17).

JESUS. Luke 2 : ⁴⁰ Now the child grew, and he was strengthened with the fullness of wisdom. And the grace of God was in him. Luke 2:52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and in age, and in grace, with God and men. Hebrew 4:¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

THE SAVED. Grace is associated through the faith (Jude 3) and is a result of keeping commands. Ephesians 2: ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through the faith; and this matter is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: ⁹ not by works, lest any one should boast.(Anderson's). Revelation 22:¹² Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to every one as his work shall be. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. ¹⁴ Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life.

(Anderson's 1865 New Testament). See also Matthew 28:18-30.