Grace is one of those words that gets used a lot in Christian conversations. You hear it in prayers, sermons and songs. But its meaning in the Bible is rich and life changing and it’s certainly worth unpacking!
In the simplest terms, grace can be defined as God’s undeserved kindness or favour toward people. It’s often described as “unmerited favour,” which means receiving goodness that we have not earned. In other words, grace is a gift. It’s something wonderful we get even though we don’t deserve it.
However, the biblical definition of grace goes deeper than a dictionary entry. The meaning of grace in the Bible unfolds through stories and teachings that show God’s generous heart toward humanity. It’s not just a theological concept; it’s woven into the narrative of Scripture from beginning to end.
Understanding what grace really means and how the Bible defines it and how God shows it can transform how we see God, ourselves and others.
What Is Grace? A Biblical Definition
When people say “the grace of God,” they’re talking about an incredible gift of love and mercy. In the Bible, grace basically means God’s favor and kindness given to those who don’t deserve it. Think of grace as God being good to us just because He loves us, not because we’ve done something to earn it.
Grace rather than merit
The idea of grace is often contrasted with merit. Normally, in life, we tend to reward people who earn something or who deserve it. But grace is the opposite of that!
Grace is un-earned. It’s a gift, not a reward.
Grace tied to God’s character
In Scripture, this concept of grace is tied to God’s character. The Bible repeatedly emphasises that God is gracious. It’s part of who He is. God loves to show mercy and kindness.
One beautiful summary from the BibleProject team puts it this way: “God’s grace in the Hebrew Bible is his free gift of life and goodness, rooted in enduring love for humanity”. Grace reflects God’s nature to love without end and to give generously without regard to whether we deserve it.
Grace in Hebrew and Greek
The original languages of the Bible give us a much richer picture of what grace really means, especially when we slow down and let the imagery speak.
Grace in Hebrew (חֵן – khen)
In the Old Testament, the primary Hebrew word translated as grace is khen (חֵן). Khen describes anything that evokes delight or draws a favourable response. It can refer to beauty, charm, elegance, or something deeply pleasing. In this sense, grace is not only moral or relational; it is also aesthetic.
Beauty
khen often describes grace as something worn or displayed, not just received. Proverbs speaks of wisdom as a visible adornment:
“They are a garland of grace for your head and a necklace for your neck.” (Proverbs 1:9)
Proverbs 1:9
Grace here is pictured as a necklace, something that brings delight both to the one who wears it and to those who see it. Grace shapes how a person moves through the world. It adds beauty, dignity and worth.
Scripture also uses khen to describe elegance and expressive beauty. A poet is said to have “lips of grace,” meaning his words create beauty and give delight:
You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever (Psalm 45:2).
Psalm 45:2
A deer is described as graceful in its movement:
A loving doe, a graceful deer (Proverbs 5:19).
Proverbs 5:19
In each case, khen points to something life-giving, attractive and worth treasuring. To find khen is to find treasure.
Favour
At the same time, khen is strongly tied to favour across unequal status. To “find khen in someone’s eyes” is a repeated biblical phrase, used when a person of higher status looks upon someone of lower status with generosity. This favour is never owed. It flows freely from the one with power to one that is undeserving. Here are some Biblical examples:
- Joseph finds khen in the eyes of Potiphar and is lifted from slavery into responsibility (Genesis 39:4).
- Ruth, a vulnerable foreigner, finds khen in the eyes of Boaz and is treated with unexpected kindness (Ruth 2:10).
- Esther appeals for khen before a king who has every right to refuse, yet chooses to act generously (Esther 4:8; 8:3).
In all these moments, grace means being treated as more valuable than one’s status would suggest.
This is why the Old Testament so often describes God as gracious. He is the ultimate superior who delights in treating people not according to what they deserve, but according to his generous, loving character. Grace flows from God’s character, not from human worthiness.
Grace in Greek (χάρις – charis)
In the New Testament (written in Greek), the word for grace is “charis” (χάρις), which also means grace or favor. It’s where we get the word “charity,” which makes sense because grace is like a charity gift!
Through Jesus, charis comes into focus as God’s generous self-giving toward humanity. Grace is not only forgiveness but God’s active kindness that restores, strengthens and transforms.
Knowing these words isn’t necessary to experience grace but they help us see that grace in the Bible has the sense of a generous gift from a superior to an undeserving recipient.
Also read: What Language Was the Bible Written In?
Grace in the Old Testament
Noah finds Favour
The concept of grace doesn’t start in the New Testament; it’s woven into the oldest stories of Scripture. In fact, the first time we see the actual word “grace” or “favor” in the Bible is in Genesis. During the time of the great flood, Noah is described as “finding favour” (finding grace) in the eyes of the Lord. The text says:
“But Noah found favour in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:8)
Genesis 6:8
This is significant. Noah is spared from the flood, not because he was perfect, but because God showed him favour.
Grace towards Jacobs
Just a little later, we encounter the story of Jacob (a man who was far from perfect, he deceived his family more than once!). Yet Jacob could say that God had dealt graciously with him.
“God has been gracious to me and I have all I need” (Genesis 33:11).
Genesis 33:11
These early stories hint at a pattern: God gives blessings even to flawed people. He doesn’t reserve kindness only for the “worthy”; that theme becomes central throughout the Bible.
Favour in the Eyes
The Hebrew word for grace, khen, appears in many Old Testament passages to describe favor or acceptance. One common phrase is “to find favour in the eyes of” someone. Usually, it’s used when a person of lower status seeks or receives favour from someone in a higher position.
Joseph and Potiphar
For example, Joseph was a lowly servant in Egypt, but he “found favour” in his master Potiphar’s eyes. Potiphar ended up treating Joseph kindly and promoted him, even though Joseph started off as just a slave.
Ruth
Another story is Ruth: she was a poor foreign widow, yet she found favour from Boaz, who generously protected and provided for her. In each case, grace meant an undeserved kindness from a benefactor.
God is Gracious
These human examples point to a bigger reality that God Himself is full of grace toward people. When someone is consistently gracious to those of lower status, the Hebrews would say that person is “full of khen” or gracious. The most gracious person in the Bible is God. God is the ultimate being of high status yet He consistently looks on us, who are much lower, with favour and love.
A defining moment for understanding God’s grace in the Old Testament comes in the story of Moses. After Israel sinned by worshiping a golden calf, God revealed His character to Moses. The Lord described Himself with these words:
“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6)
Exodus 34:6
This is huge. God had every reason to abandon the Israelites for their disobedience at that moment. They had just been rescued from slavery and they quickly broke God’s covenant by making an idol. Yet God responds by emphasising His gracious nature. He is compassionate and gracious, meaning He shows mercy instead of immediate judgment. He gives them continued love and presence that they clearly did not deserve.
Throughout the Old Testament, God’s grace is seen in how He continually blesses and forgives His people despite their failures. The Psalms celebrate this over and over. For instance, one psalmist writes:
“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loyal love… He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” (Psalm 103:8-10)
Psalm 103:8-10
That’s grace in action: God is withholding the punishment we deserve (that’s mercy). Instead, He showers us with love and blessing we don’t deserve (that’s grace).
Check out: Bible Apps That Explain Verses
Grace in the New Testament
If the Old Testament lays the foundation of grace, the New Testament builds on it and brings it into sharp focus through Jesus. In the New Testament, the word grace (Greek charis) appears frequently, especially in the letters of Paul. In fact, about two-thirds of the uses of “grace” in the Bible are in the writings of the Apostle Paul! Paul even earned the nickname “the apostle of grace” because he talked about it so much!
Jesus, the embodiment of faith
Jesus Christ is the ultimate embodiment of God’s grace. The Gospel of John introduces Jesus by saying:
“taking on flesh as Jesus Christ, and lived among people, revealing God’s glory, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14)
John 1:14
And that through Jesus “grace and truth came” into the world.
“grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17)
John 1:17
Everything Jesus did (reaching out to sinners, healing the hurting, forgiving those who betrayed Him) showed God’s grace in action. Jesus didn’t come just to give us a new set of rules; He came to offer us God’s grace, the gift of a restored relationship with God.
Salvation through Grace
The clearest and most celebrated definition of grace in the New Testament is found in the book of Ephesians. Paul writes:
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Ephesians 2:8-9
This passage captures the heart of what grace means for us. Our salvation is by grace. It’s explicitly called a gift of God. We can’t earn it by our own efforts, it’s something God gives freely. Just as in the Old Testament God showed favor to Israel despite their failures, here we learn that God offers each of us salvation not because we’ve done enough good things but purely because He is gracious and loving.
Living through Grace
The New Testament further explains that grace is not only about how we start our relationship with God (salvation), but also how we live it out. Grace is the atmosphere of the Christian life. Paul says:
“By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
1 Corinthians 15:10
He even attributes all his hard work and achievements to God’s grace at work in him.
“I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
1 Corinthians 15:10
Grace is seen as God’s active help and power in our lives. It’s not just pardon; it’s power. Grace not only saves us, but also transforms us and enables us to do what we couldn’t do on our own.
Throughout the New Testament, grace is described almost like a force or a resource God pours out for us. Believers are said to:
“stand in grace” (Romans 5:2)
Romans 5:2
“receive grace upon grace” (John 1:16)
John 1:16
“teaches us to say no to ungodliness” (Titus 2:11-12).
Titus 2:11-12
“grow in the grace… of Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
2 Peter 3:18
All of these phrases show that grace is dynamic. It’s God continually working in us and for us out of love.
Another wonderful thing about grace: it creates a sense of security and gratitude. If our relationship with God was based on our performance, we’d never know if we’d done enough. But because it’s based on grace (what He did), we can rest in His finished work. As the Bible says:
“we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:1-2).
Romans 5:1-2
Grace vs. Mercy: What’s the Difference?
People often mention grace and mercy together. They are like two sides of the same coin, but there’s a subtle difference. It’s helpful to understand this difference:
- Mercy is when you do not get the bad thing you do deserve. It’s about compassion that withholds punishment.
- Grace, on the other hand, is when you do get a good thing you do not deserve.
Understanding this difference helps us appreciate God’s character even more. Both mercy and grace flow from His love.
Living in the Light of Grace: Why It Matters
Understanding the meaning of grace in the Bible isn’t just an academic exercise. In fact, it’s incredibly practical.
Humility and Gratitude
Realising that every good thing is a gift of grace produces deep humility. We can’t brag about earning our way to heaven or being better than others. Instead, we live with thankfulness!
Freedom from Guilt
Everyone messes up. We all fall short of our own standards, let alone God’s perfection. But grace means that we can come to God for forgiveness and restoration anytime.
Power to Change and Do Good
Grace isn’t a free pass to do whatever we want – it’s the power to live a new life! The apostle Paul wrote that
“the grace of God… teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives” (Titus 2:11-12).
Titus 2:11-12
That means God’s grace, when truly received, changes our hearts. Out of gratitude we want to love others and do what pleases God. And God’s Spirit gives us strength to actually make those changes.
Being Gracious to Others
When we grasp how generously God has treated us, it should overflow in how we treat people. Jesus told a parable of a man forgiven an enormous debt who then refused to forgive someone else’s tiny debt. If God has given us such grace, we are called to extend grace to others. That means forgiving people who hurt us, showing kindness even when it’s not earned and giving second chances.
Conclusion
God’s love is freely given, not earned. It’s God treating us with undeserved kindness because that’s just who He is. And that grace, once it grabs your heart, will start to change you from the inside out. It truly is amazing grace.
