Charis, the Greek Word for Grace

{Later this month we’ll be offering you a beautiful set of Key Greek Words of the New Testament flashcards that you can print to help you remember all we’ve studied together.}

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:16-17)

“All fulness dwells in him [Jesus], from which alone fallen sinners have, and shall receive, by faith, all that renders them wise, strong, holy, useful, and happy. Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word, grace; we have received even grace, a gift so great, so rich, so invaluable; the good will of God towards us, and the good work of God in us.” (Matthew Henry)

Grace upon grace. Sweet Grace!

As Believers, we often hear of grace being defined as “God’s favor.” This definition certainly isn’t wrong, but there’s much more to grace than simply that.

Did you catch that one little phrase of Matthew Henry’s above? “Our receivings by Christ are all summed up in this one word, grace.”

• When we deserve punishment, instead, God gives mercy.
• When we cannot do it alone, God gives help.
• When we lack in wisdom, God gives wise guidance.
• When we suffer, God gives various types of healing.
• When we are unloveable, God loves us to the utmost.
• When we continually sin and fail, God gives forgiveness.
• When we need strength, God gives perseverance.

Grace upon grace.

The Greek word used in the Bible for grace is charis. This word is rich and meaningful. Sometimes, it’s hard for me to wrap my head around all that grace entails. It helps to discover the various aspects of grace that the Greek word implies.

Strong’s Concordance lists the definition of charis as: (a) grace, as a gift or blessing brought to man by Jesus Christ, (b) favor, (c) gratitude, thanks, (d) a favor, kindness.

HELPS Word-studies gives added insight when it explains that the word charis has the added implication of “leaning towards.”  God leans toward us (even if we’re leaning away) freely extending Himself to meet us where we are and with what we need.

No matter our pain, our mess, or our stubbornness, in charis-grace, God reaches out favorably to extend Himself.

And I love this explanation I came across in Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:

• charis is “used of ‘the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues’”

When you feel strengthened to increase in faith or something in your heart has been kindled to practice your faith, that’s also a result of grace!

Seriously rich, isn’t it?

A few years ago, I went through some serious health problems and felt God’s grace in my life deeper than I ever had before. He reached out to me in my despair over the situation, lifted me up and strengthened me, brought me through, fed me truth, showed me deep love, and healed my spirit.

His touch of grace in my life, His bending toward me favorably with His help and strengthening power, was absolutely incomprehensible!

God lovingly did that for me and He’ll do it for you.

May your life be touched with the richness of His charis… His grace upon grace!

Here are two beautiful verses to remind you of God’s wonderful grace:

“…he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:5-6

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

How has God showed you His grace lately? I’d love for you to share in the comments…