What is grace in the Bible?
Grace is God’s essential character and the most fundamental premise of the gospel. In biblical terms, grace is the free, undeserved favor of God.
The word grace in the New Testament comes from the Greek word charis which means kindness and favor towards someone.
We can learn about what grace is and how it works by studying grace Bible verses in the scripture. Among the many gifts that God gave the world, the biggest grace is the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.
To understand this, we need to go back to the time before we met Christ. We were sinners who broke God’s laws and for this, we deserved death. But God extended his grace for us by sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross to take our punishment. This sacrifice is what Paul refers to as “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
The word grace is mentioned in 125 verses in the Bible (ESV) and broadly, it is used with three meanings: grace as the basis of our salvation, grace as our power and way of life and grace as God’s gifts to us.
Below is an outline you may consider on your Bible study on grace.
Table of Contents
- What is grace in the Bible?
- Grace as the basis of our salvation
- Grace as our way of life
- Grace as God’s blessings in our lives
- Bible study questions about grace
- Reflection & application questions
Grace as the basis of our salvation
This points to grace as the fundamental reason for our salvation (Ephesians 2:8). This verse reminds us that God’s grace is the only determining factor of our salvation. It’s entirely God’s doing and has nothing to do with our decisions or actions. Our obedience matters, but even the highest obedience cannot guarantee our salvation
The concept of grace is the opposite of karma, where we get what we put in. We don’t get what we deserve, but rather, we get the gift that we don’t deserve.
A major point to remember about the gift of salvation is that it’s absolutely free (Romans 3:24) for us, but is costly to God. He saves us not by just saying a word, but by taking the human form and going into the world to be among us and to die as a human. He became poor so that we could become rich (2 Cor 8:9). This is not a small sacrifice and yet, we receive it entirely free.
Since salvation is dependent on God alone, nobody can say they’re too deep into sin that they cannot be saved. God’s grace is available by grace through faith to all and nobody is unqualified for it.
Grace as our way of life
Once we believe and receive this salvation, the grace of God is our basis for living. Romans 6:14 states that sin no longer has dominion over us because we are not under law but grace.
But this verse is not a license for us to sin, because grace trains those who have received Jesus: to kill ungodliness and to live godly lives, zealous for good deeds as we wait for the coming of Jesus (Titus 2:12-14). Grace brings us salvation but it doesn’t stop there. Grace trains us to live a new life that is pleasing to God.
“Thus you see that grace has its own disciples. Are you a disciple of the grace of God? Did you ever come and submit yourself to it?” (Spurgeon)
Titus 2:12-14 shows us that a life lived under true grace will be righteous. God’s work in our life changes us radically. It’s incompatible for a new creation to live comfortably with habitual sin.
“The grace that does not change my life will not save my soul.” – credited to Spurgeon.
Grace also becomes our mission. We are called to testify to the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24) and as God sent Jesus, Jesus sends us to spread the gospel to the world. Every single believer is on a mission to be a witness to God’s grace.
Grace as God’s blessings in our lives
Humankind and the world enjoy goodness such as sunrise, nature, air, conscience etc. This is often referred to as God’s common grace – the blessings that are given to everyone.
On the other spectrum, there’s special grace or saving grace – God’s favor upon those who are chosen. An example of this is God’s salvation and also the Holy Spirit that God sent to dwell in the hearts of believers.
John Piper says “Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God not to sin. Grace is power, not just pardon.” Through God’s grace, we are capable of taking the steps to avoid sin. Paul says in 1 Cor 15:10 that he is who he is due to God’s grace and he “ worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” God’s grace supplies Paul with energy and discipline in his life.
God’s gifts to believers are meant to be shared with others and not used only for his/her own advantage. In 1 Peter 4:10, we, as God’s stewards, are encouraged to cultivate the gifts that we have to serve others. Whether we have the gift of generosity, hospitality or teaching, we are called to use them to lift others.
This is highlighted again in 2 Cor 9:8 – that God is able to bless us with grace so that having sufficiency in all times, we may abound in every good work.
God’s grace can also come in the form of a specific calling. In Eph 3:8 Paul states his calling to preach Christ to the gentiles as grace.
Bible study questions about grace
Here are some questions to discuss in your thematic study about grace:
Can you lose God’s grace?
- John 3:16: whoever believes in him has eternal life
- John 10:27-28: God gives eternal life to his sheep and they shall never perish or snatched out of God’s hand
- Ephesians 1:13: when we hear and believe the gospel, we are marked with a seal of the Holy Spirit, who’s a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance
How about believers that live in habitual sin? Can they lose God’s salvation grace?
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God (ESV).
Does grace manifest only in good things? Or can grace be seen through difficulties?
- Sometimes God allows bad things to happen in our lives to prepare us for bigger things in life. E.g. Joseph was sold by his brothers as a slave and imprisoned and his life prepared him to become Pharaoh’s right-hand man and he blesses Israel through that role
- Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (ESV). This verse explains how bad things happen so God’s grace can be shown to others.
- Discipline is also part of God’s grace. Hebrews 12:11: for the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (ESV)
Is God’s mercy infinite? Can it run out?
- Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (ESV)
- John 1:16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace (ESV)
What’s the difference between grace and mercy?
- Exodus 34:6 6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (ESV)
- Mercy is withholding a punishment that is deserved or a very bad thing that someone could do to you, but does not
- Grace gives a good thing that is not deserved
Is grace unmerited? Are there things that we can do to get more grace?
- The gift of salvation is free and unmerited, we can’t earn it
- But we can position ourselves to receive God’s blessings – e.g. the joy and peace knowing that we have an all-powerful God loving us – can be obtained through communion with God. Through Bible reading and prayer. In short, there are things that we can do to flourish as Christians.
- 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (ESV)
- We cannot get more grace, but we can grow in grace
- We can turn on the faucet, but we can’t make the water flow. God’s grace is like that – there’s ongoing supply but we can access it by turning the faucet on
- Blessings in the Christian life can flow when we have obedience
Does grace mean we’re free to sin?
Romans 6:1-2 6 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (ESV)
What are some examples of common grace and saving grace?
- Common grace: conscience, nature, sun, moral values
- Saving grace: the gospel of good news, the Holy Spirit, God’s grace at work in our lives
What is the definition of means of grace?
- Ways in which God gives grace: the Word. John Frame explains them as “channels by which God gives spiritual power to his church).
- This includes God’s Word, meditation, prayer, fellowship and even suffering
What does the Bible have to say about giving yourself grace?
- 2 Cor 12:9: 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. (ESV)
- The Bible points to God as the provider of all the grace we need for our lives, so we must go back to him to access grace
How does operating under grace different from the law?
Law constricts us and demands unattainable perfection, grace frees us to do good in the world
What does the Bible say about showing grace to others?
- Eph 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (ESV)
- Luke 6:27-28 But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. (ESV)
Reflection & application questions
- Describe a time when you need God’s grace the most. How did it turn out?
- From this discussion, what is the biggest thing you learn about God? His character, plan, values, promises, desires and ways?
- What do you learn about yourself and others in this world?
- How should I change my thinking or living based on today’s discussion?
- How should I pray in light of what I’ve learned about grace?
- What promise of God that I need to meditate on?
- How does this discussion change the way I engage with my friends? What are some ways that you could extend grace to others?
- For all the changes that need to happen above – what are the hurdles that will need to be overcome? How do I overcome that?
Source: David Guzik commentaries and interlinear studies from blueletterbible.org, www.desiringgod.com
