Grace: What is It?

When we ask for a definition of "grace" we get an acronym or cliché. "Grace" appears to be indefinable. While the word has a definite meaning it is used some times to refer to something specific sometimes symbolic. If a dozen people were to be asked for a definition of grace a dozen replies with no two alike would be the result.

 

According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, in the KJV Old Testament, the word translated "grace" with one exception is defined as: kindness or favor - 2580. The one exception is Ezra 9:8, where the word is the defined as entreaty, favor, or supplication – 8467.

 

In Genesis 6:8

 

"Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord"

 

means Noah found favor or kindness in the eyes of the Lord. God did not have to provide a way for Noah and others to be rescued but because of his kindness, because he is kind, he did.

 

Also according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible in the KJV New Testament the word translated "grace" with one exception is defined as: "graciousness of manner or act, abstract or concrete, figuratively: spiritual, especially the divine influence on the heart and its reflection in the life - 5485." The one exception is James 1:11 where the word is defined as:  good, suitableness, i.e. gracefulness - 2143.   

 

Concerning Paul's "thorn in the flesh" as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

 

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.  [9] But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me'"

 

the word translated means that as with Noah, Paul had found favor or kindness it the eyes of the Lord and that was sufficient. 

 

Paul told Titus in Titus 2:11-14

 

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,  [12] training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,  [13] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  [14] who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 

 

Paul uses the same word he used when writing to the church in Corinth. Paul is saying that favor or kindness in the eyes of the Lord has appeared. Is it possible that Jesus is God's favor or kindness?  

 

Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, Ephesians 2:4-9:

 

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  [5] even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— [6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  [7] so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

 

It is the same word Paul used in his letters to the church in Corinth and to Titus. And as with Noah and Paul, Christians in Ephesus and by application all Christians have found favor or kindness in the eyes of the Lord resulting in our having the possibility of being saved. God did not have to reconcile us to himself but because of his favor or kindness he did, through Jesus.

 

While reading the Bible when we come upon the word "grace" we can think "favor or kindness of the Lord." Then ask if the term is referring to some thing specific or something symbolic.