Greek · The Great Words

Charis: Grace

Charis is the Greek word for grace: favour freely given, a gift that cannot be earned or repaid, which the New Testament makes the very shape of God’s dealing with us.

The original word

How the Bible uses it

What it means

In ordinary Greek charis meant a favour, a kindness, something that brings delight. The New Testament sharpens it to a fine point: grace is a gift precisely because it is not owed. If it could be earned it would be wages, not grace. Paul returns to the word again and again to say that acceptance with God is given, not achieved.

This does not mean the word alone settles the long conversation about grace and works; Christians have thought carefully about that for centuries. But the word itself leans in one direction: toward a God who gives.

And Christ

John says grace came in a Person: Jesus was ‘full of grace and truth’, and ‘of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace’ (John 1:14,16). The cross is where grace costs everything to the Giver and nothing to the receiver. That is why the last word of the New Testament is a blessing of grace: it is where the whole story lands.

Frequently asked questions

What does charis mean?

Charis (Greek χάρις, Strong's G5485) means grace or favour, a gift freely given that cannot be earned or repaid. The New Testament uses it for God's unearned kindness shown supremely in Jesus.

What is the biblical definition of grace?

Grace is God's favour given as a gift rather than a wage. 'By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God' (Ephesians 2:8). By definition it is unearned.

What is the difference between grace and mercy?

In broad terms, mercy is not receiving a punishment that was deserved, while grace is receiving a good gift that was never earned. The Bible holds them closely together in the character of God.