Greek · Strong's G5485
χάρις
cháris (KHAR-ees)
noun, feminine
Grace — undeserved favor freely given, especially God's saving favor in Christ.
Cháris is the Greek word translated 'grace' some 130 times in the New Testament. In secular Greek it meant a kind, gracious act, or the gratitude evoked by it. The apostles, especially Paul, took the word and freighted it with the wonder of the gospel: God's free, unearned, sovereign favor toward sinners on the basis of Christ's finished work.
It stands in deliberate contrast to works (Romans 11:6) and to law (John 1:17). It is the source of salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9), the power for ministry (1 Corinthians 15:10), and the abiding atmosphere in which the believer lives (2 Peter 3:18).
Common English renderings
- grace
- favour
- thanks
- pleasure
Key verses
"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. John beareth witness of him, and crieth, saying, This was he of whom I said, He that cometh after me is become before me: for he was before me. For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."
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"And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
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"And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
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"for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory."
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"For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world;"
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