Some have used the acronym "God's Riches At Christ's Expense" to describe this understanding of grace.įinally, charis can be used to mean general blessing and goodwill. Ephesians 2:5–6 explains, "even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." In Titus 2:11, Paul succinctly writes, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people." In 2 Thessalonians 2:16 he wrote that God "loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace." The word "grace" in these contexts actually refers to the work of Jesus and all the benefits that work affords to believers. It refers to His death on the cross, the forgiveness that death affords, His resurrection that ensures believers' future inheritance, and the presence of God's own Spirit working in our hearts currently.Īnother way to think about it is that charis refers to God's work of justification, redemption, sanctification, and ultimate glorification. Probably most significantly, charis can be used as a word that encapsulates the saving work of Jesus Christ. Romans 11:6 states, "But it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works otherwise grace would no longer be grace." Paul reiterates in 2 Timothy 1:9 that God "saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began." Grace, which is the word charis in the original text of these passages, is differentiated from fair compensation, highlighting its meaning as "undeserved kindness." In Ephesians 3:7, Paul refers to his calling as a minister "according to the gift of God's grace." He says in Romans 12:6 that believers have "gifts that differ according to the grace given us." The word "grace" in these passages that refer to specific callings or giftings is the word charis in the original Greek.Ĭharis is also used to contrast reward that could be rightly earned through works with the undeserved blessing God extends to believers.
In 1 Corinthians 16:3, Paul refers to the monetary offering collected to be given to the church in Jerusalem as "your gift to Jerusalem" using the Greek word charis. That bestowing of joy and feeling of goodwill toward God is translated as "thanks."Ĭharis can also refer to a specific gift. When God has bestowed His favor or blessing upon us, we desire to return joy and goodwill toward Him. The next way charis can be understood depending on the context is as thanks, especially in the phrase "thanks be to God" as seen in Romans 6:17, 1 Corinthians 15:57, and 2 Corinthians 9:15, among others. Charis is this idea of kindness or approval both from God and from other humans. We also read that Jesus "increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52). The Gospel of Luke records Gabriel telling Mary, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God" (Luke 1:30). The first way charis can be understood is as favor. Charis is used over one hundred and fifty times in the New Testament and is most often simply translated as "grace," but has also been translated as "favor," "thanks," and "pleasure," so there are a few ways the Greek word can be understood.
The Strong's Concordance defines it as "graciousness, benefit, favor, gift, good-will, thanks, or grace." It is especially used for a kindness or favor bestowed on someone who is ill-deserving, such as of a master toward his servants or of holy God toward sinful mankind. What is the meaning of the Greek word 'charis' in the Bible? Charis is a Greek word generally meaning "grace" in the New Testament.
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