Grace- Defined

5485. χάρις cháris; gen. cháritos, fem. noun from chaírō (5463),
to rejoice. Grace, particularly that which causes joy, pleasure,
gratification, favor, acceptance, for a kindness granted or desired, a
benefit, thanks, gratitude. A favor done without expectation of
return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God
to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the
Giver; unearned and unmerited favor. Cháris stands in direct
antithesis to érga (2041), works, the two being mutually exclusive.
God's grace affects man's sinfulness and not only forgives the
repentant sinner, but brings joy and thankfulness to him. It changes
the individual to a new creature without destroying his individuality
(2Co 5:17; Ep 2:8,9).
(I) Cháris, when received by faith, transforms man and causes him to
love and to seek after the righteousness of God. Cháris is initially
regeneration, the work of the Holy Spirit in which spiritual life is
given to man and by which his nature is brought under the dominion of
righteousness. The maintenance of this condition requires an unbroken
and immense supply of grace. Grace remains constant in, and basic to,
a believer's fight without against the devil and his struggle within
against sin. Renewal is stimulated and impelled by God's illuminating
and strengthening of the soul, and will continue and increase so long
as the soul perseveres. God's grace insures that those who have been
truly regenerated will persevere until the end of life. This entire
work is called sanctification, a work of God "whereby we are renewed
in the whole man and are enabled more and more to die daily unto sin
and to live unto righteousness" as is stated by the Westminster
Shorter Catechism (Ro 12:2; 2Co 4:16; Ep 4:23; Col 3:10).
(II) Grace may also refer to the external form or manner, particularly
of persons meaning gracefulness, elegance. In the NT only of words or
discourses as gratefulness, agreeableness, acceptableness (Lk 4:22,
"gracious words"; Ep 4:29, "that it may minister grace unto the
hearers" meaning what is acceptable; Col 4:6; Sept.: Ps 45:2).
(III) Grace also means disposition, attitude toward another, favor,
goodwill, benevolence.
(A) Generally (Lk 2:40,52; Sept.: Ex 33:12; Ac 2:47, "having favor
with all the people"; 4:33; 7:10; Sept.: Ge 39:21). With heurískō
(2147), to find grace or favor, pará Theṓ (pará [3844], before;
Theṓ [2316], God), before God (Lk 1:30); enṓpion toú Theoú
(enṓpion [1799], before, in the presence of; toú Theoú, the God),
"before God" Ac 7:46; Heb 4:16; followed by pará (3844), with, Sept.:
Ge 6:9; 18:3; Es 2:15). With katatíthēmi ([2698] followed by the
dat.), to place down, deposit or grace with someone, meaning to lay
down, or lay up favor with someone, gain favor (Ac 25:9). With the
acc. pl. cháritas, to be in the good graces of the Jews (Ac 24:27).
Metonymically as the object of favor, something acceptable (1Pe
2:19,20, "this is well- pleasing to God" [a.t. {cf. Col 3:20; 1Ti 2:3;
4:5}]).
(B) Of the grace, favor and goodwill of God and Christ as exercised
toward men: where cháris is joined with eirḗnē (1515), peace,
éleos (1656), mercy, and the like in salutations, including the idea
of every kind of favor, blessing, good, as proceeding from God the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Ro 1:7; 1Co 1:3; 2Co 1:2; Ga 1:3).
Also in the introduction to most of the epistles (Ep 1:2; Phl 1:2; Col
1:2; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:2; 1Ti 1:2; 2Ti 1:2; Tit 1:4; Phlm 3; 1Pe 1:2; 2Pe
1:2; 2Jn 3; Rev 1:4). Also the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in the
benedictions at the close of most of the epistles (Ro 16:20,24; 1Co
16:23; 2Co 13:14; Ga 6:18). Simply with the def. art. hē cháris with
equal meaning (Ep 6:24; Col 4:18; 1Ti 6:21; 2Ti 4:22; Tit 3:15; Heb
13:25). Used by Christ in Lk 6:32-34, although the KJV translates
cháris "thank" (the NASB, NKJV, NIV have "credit"); this word marks
the difference between unbelievers and believers. Of Christ, generally
(Ac 15:11 "through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" which indicates
effective faith unto salvation (2Co 8:9; 1Ti 1:14). Of God, generally,
meaning the gracious feeling of approbation, benignity and love, which
God exercises toward any of the human race [cf. II]. Of God's
unmerited favor, in the exercise of which He sovereignly and
efficaciously confers upon sinful men the blessings of salvation. This
is to be distinguished from His general goodness (chrēstós [5543],
gentle, gracious), by which He shows favor even to the unthankful and
wicked (Lk 6:35) in conferring on them common blessings such as the
sun (Mt 5:45). "The word of his grace" means the gospel of the grace
of God, the good news of God's effective favor (Ac 14:3,26; 20:24 [cf.
Ac 15:40]). "Justified freely by His grace" refers to the forgiveness
of sin and reconciliation to a holy God (Ro 3:24; 5:2; 1Co 15:10; 2Co
1:12; 9:14; 12:9; Ga 1:15; Ep 1:6; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 4:10). With toú
Theoú, of God, or with the like implied (Ac 18:27; Ro 4:16; 11:5,6;
12:6; 2Th 2:16; Heb 2:9, "through the gracious counsel of God" [a.t.];
Heb 4:16). With en (1722), in, followed by the dat. en cháriti,
referring to the gift of Jesus Christ (Ro 5:15; Ga 1:6, the grace of
God through Christ).
(C) Specifically of the divine grace and favor as exercised in
conferring gifts, graces and benefits on man (2Co 4:15; 8:1; Jas 4:6;
1Pe 5:5). Particularly as manifested in the benefits bestowed in and
through Christ and His gospel (Ac 13:43; 2Co 6:1; Ep 4:7; Phl 1:7; 1Pe
1:10,13, "ye all are partakers of my grace" meaning "fellow partakers
with me in the grace of the gospel" [a.t.]; Heb 12:15; 13:9, "it is
good that the heart be made steadfast in grace, not in meats" [a.t.]
meaning in the grace of the gospel, the gospel doctrines [cf. Ro
14:15,17]). Specifically of the grace or gift of the apostleship, the
apostolic office (Ro 12:3; 15:15; 1Co 3:10; Ga 2:9; Ep 3:2,8; 2Ti
2:1); as exhibited in the pardon of sins and admission to the divine
kingdom, saving grace; with toú Theoú, of God (Ro 5:15; Ga 2:21; Tit
2:11; 37 implied; 1Pe 3:7 "the grace of life"; 5:12; simply in Ro 1:5;
5:2,17,20,21; 6:1,14,15, we are not under law but under grace; Ga 5:4;
Ep 2:5,8, "by grace are you saved"; 1Pe 1:13); Heb 10:29, "the Spirit
of grace," which is the gift and earnest of divine favor.
(IV) Grace, in act and deed, favor conferred, a kindness, benefit, benefaction.
(A) Generally (Ac 25:3 in asking a favor against Paul, to be
prejudiced against him, that he might be sent forth to Jerusalem; Ro
4:4). Of a gift, alms (1Co 16:3; 2Co 8:4,6,7,19).
(B) Of the various divine favors, benefits, blessings, gifts conferred
on man through Christ and His gospel; generally (Jn 1:14,16,17; Ac
11:23; 1Co 1:4; 2Co 9:8; Col 1:6; 1Pe 4:10; Jude 4).