Grace
God's unmerited favor toward sinners through Jesus Christ
Overview
Grace stands as one of the most glorious words in Scripture, capturing the essence of God's character and the foundation of salvation. Unlike mercy, which withholds deserved punishment, grace bestows undeserved blessing. It represents God's free and sovereign favor toward those who merit only condemnation—the divine disposition to give what cannot be earned, purchased, or repaid.
The biblical concept of grace encompasses multiple dimensions. Saving grace brings sinners from death to life, from condemnation to justification, from alienation to adoption. "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). This saving grace excludes human contribution and silences all boasting. Sustaining grace empowers believers for daily living, providing strength sufficient for every trial. "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Sanctifying grace progressively transforms believers into Christ's likeness, producing holiness that human effort cannot achieve.
Grace does not compromise God's justice but satisfies it through Christ's substitutionary death. At the cross, grace and righteousness kiss—God demonstrates both His hatred of sin and His love for sinners. Grace is not cheap sentimentalism that ignores transgression but costly redemption that paid sin's full penalty. "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24). The grace that saves also sanctifies, for it "teacheth us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:12).
Understanding grace transforms Christian living. It produces humility (recognizing we deserve nothing), gratitude (appreciating what we've received), generosity (extending to others what God extended to us), and confidence (trusting God's ongoing provision). Grace motivates obedience more powerfully than law ever could, for love compels what duty cannot force. Those who truly grasp grace cannot remain unchanged—they become channels of grace to others.
Subtopics
Saving Grace
Grace that brings salvation
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Ephesians 2:8-9
— Saved by grace through faith
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
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Romans 3:24
— Justified freely by His grace
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
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Titus 2:11
— Grace that bringeth salvation
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
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Romans 5:15
— The gift by grace
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Sustaining Grace
Grace for daily strength
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2 Corinthians 12:9
— My grace is sufficient
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
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Hebrews 4:16
— Find grace to help in time of need
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
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James 4:6
— He giveth more grace
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
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1 Peter 5:10
— The God of all grace
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Growing in Grace
Maturing through grace
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2 Peter 3:18
— Grow in grace and knowledge
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
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John 1:16
— Grace for grace
And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
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Colossians 4:6
— Speech with grace
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
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2 Corinthians 8:7
— Abound in this grace also
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
Study Guidance
Topical study benefits from reading verses in their broader context. Click any reference above to view the complete passage and surrounding verses. Consider comparing how different biblical authors address the same theme across various contexts and time periods.
Cross-reference study deepens understanding. Many verses listed here connect to other passages—use the cross-references provided on individual verse pages to trace theological themes throughout Scripture.