CHARIS (Grace)

What is the Word?

Grace is a very central theme in Christian thought and teaching. We often use the word to illustrate the nature of salvation as a free gift from God - apart from all works. The term the Bible often uses to communicate this idea is Charis (χάρις).

How does the Bible use this word?

We usually translate the term Charis as “grace,” or “gift.” These are accurate ways of describing it, but there is more that is captured by the word. An underlying aspect of Charis is its association with selfless giving. It is the kind “favor” of God, freely extended to his people through Jesus Christ. In fact, it is from this word charis that we get the word “charity,” which we often think of as kind, sacrificial giving.

Where in the Bible?

We can actually point to many examples of charis in the scriptures. Immediately, we see the word used of Mary by the angel when he announces to her that she will conceive and bear a son: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor (χάριν) with God” (Luke 1:30). This is a great example of the word signifying the unmerited nature of God’s grace. Mary was chosen of God to bear our savior, solely out of divine grace. Through her, Christ took on flesh and walked among us. Through the favor of Mary, he blessed the entire world.

The word is also prominent in the prologue of John’s gospel. John tells us that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace (χάριτος) and truth” (John 1:14) And also “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (χάριν ἀντὶ χάριτος, John 1:16). It is important for John to make the point that the divine favor or grace of God is the primary thing that motivates God in the incarnation. Not only does it motivate God, it appears that in some mysterious way, charis is intrinsic to God’s nature. Therefore, grace is itself part of the divine nature, and the incarnation reflects God’s character as giver.

Charis Here and Now

Notice the above examples are all associated with God’s sacrificial love for us. His favor and love for us is what propels him forward to become man and die in our stead. Because we too are members of Jesus’ body, so also we strive to pour ourselves out in grace for others. We do not do this to earn our salvation, but it flows from our renewed heart in the Holy Spirit.  

WRITTEN BY DREW MATZ