What Is Grace? The Bible's Answer
Unmerited favour, and more — grace is the Bible's word for God giving what was never owed, at his own expense.
Grace is God’s favour given to the undeserving — “by grace are ye saved through faith… it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). It is embodied in Christ, who “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor” (2 Corinthians 8:9), and it is not only pardon but power: grace teaches, strengthens, and is “sufficient for thee.”
Favour, free and undeserved
Grace is the opposite of wages. Paul’s logic in Romans is arithmetic: to him that worketh, the reward is debt; to him that believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, faith is counted for righteousness. Grace cannot be earned without ceasing to be grace — “if by grace, then is it no more of works.” That is its scandal and its comfort: it keys to God’s generosity, not your record.
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.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Grace has a face
In the New Testament grace is not an abstract policy but a person arriving: “the Word was made flesh… full of grace and truth,” and “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared.” Its cost was real — grace is free to the receiver because it was expensive to the Giver: he became poor that ye through his poverty might be rich. Every definition of grace eventually points at the cross.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Grace for living, not just entering
Scripture’s grace keeps working after conversion: it teaches us to deny ungodliness and live soberly (Titus 2:11–12), it strengthens — “my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” — and it invites boldness: come to the throne of grace, to find grace to help in time of need. Christians begin, continue, and finish on the same fuel.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Quick answers
- What's the difference between grace and mercy?
- Mercy withholds deserved judgment; grace gives undeserved blessing. The condemned man pardoned receives mercy; adopted into the judge’s family, he receives grace. Scripture pairs them constantly (Ephesians 2:4–8).
- Does grace mean sin doesn't matter?
- Paul anticipated the question: “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid” (Romans 6:1–2). Grace pardons sin precisely by breaking its reign — it teaches holiness (Titus 2:11–12), never indifference.
- What does “saved by grace through faith” mean?
- Grace is the ground (God’s free favour in Christ), faith the empty hand receiving it (Ephesians 2:8). Even the hand is called God’s gift — leaving, as Paul notes, nothing to boast over.
