Bible glossary

What Does ‘Grace’ Mean in the Bible?

Grace is the unearned, undeserved favor and kindness of God, given freely to people who could never earn it.

In the Bible, grace is God giving good gifts to people who have no claim on them. It is not a reward for being good enough. It is the opposite: God stooping toward us in love while we were still far off, offering forgiveness, welcome, and new life as a gift rather than a wage.

The whole Christian message hangs on this word. We are not saved by piling up good deeds until we tip the scale, but by receiving what God freely holds out. Grace does not mean God overlooks wrong. It means He paid for it Himself so that mercy could be given without pretending sin never happened.

Key verses

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”
John 1:17

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9