The Greek word for grace is Charis, meaning undeserved, unearned favor from God.
Paul used the word grace in order to explain the concept of divine favor.
According to the ancient Greeks, Grace (Charis) was a gift of divine favor that enabled one to live a blessed life. Charis meant having divine influence on one’s life.
Not only was grace considered a divine, unmerited gift on one chosen, but grace also has enabling power to perform an act or a deed. This is where we get the word charismata or charismatic.
Grace is the enabling power to fulfill a divine purpose.
We can see that Paul used the word grace to refer to God’s enabling power to overcome all affliction and adversarial situations.
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
In ancient Greece and Rome, the word grace or favor referred to a practice (patronage) in which patrons exchanged state resources, jobs, or legal immunity in exchange for political support. It was a system of favors bestowed upon chosen individuals.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patronage_in_ancient_Rome
Another example would be the monarch system, where the ruler or king of a dominion granted favor and unearned advantages to those who were loyal to the Kingdom and contributed to its function.
Under the patronage system, the gift of grace was freely given to the client, creating a trust relationship (pistis) in which the client showed loyalty to the patron.
In Greek mythology, the word charis, or grace, was used to refer to the goddesses of beauty, charm, and joy, who gave and received favors.
Paul uses the ancient Greek word charis or grace to refer to the one true God’s favor and divine influence. This grace is bestowed upon his chosen out of the world system who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7
That having been justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:7
This grace is freely given by God the Father and offers the recipient open doors, blessings of provision, and divine protection.
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
Grace is the divine influence on the heart and the life. Grace gives the believer the right or privilege to become a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Grace also empowers the believer to perform acts of service for the kingdom of God.
In exchange for this undeserving grace, the requirement is to remain faithful, to offer oneself as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto the Lord.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1,2
Grace, or Charis, not only saves but also sanctifies and makes holy.
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 1. John 17:17
For by a single offering, he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:14
Grace is the supernatural ability given by God to believe, to overcome, to be holy, and to live victoriously through faith in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12–13
Grace is freely given by Father God to those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. God’s grace saves, heals, delivers, provides, empowers, and sanctifies wholly.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14
You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 2:1
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Revelation 22:21
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