An entry in the 7 Scrolls Bible Dictionary, with every example verse shown in the Berean Standard Bible.
What is the biblical definition of grace?
Grace is God's undeserved favor: kindness given freely to people who have not earned it and cannot repay it. In the Bible it also names the strength God gives people to live and serve.
How often does the Bible use the word grace?
| Word form (BSB) | Times used | Verses |
|---|---|---|
| grace | 136 | 127 |
| gracious | 45 | 45 |
| graciously | 4 | 4 |
| favor | 132 | 129 |
| All listed forms | 317 | 303 |
Books where these words appear in the most verses: Psalms (32), Proverbs (19), Genesis (18), Romans (18), Acts (16).
The form favor is broad. It covers God's favor, but also ordinary goodwill between people, such as Joseph finding favor with Potiphar in Genesis 39:4. In the Old Testament, gracious most often describes God's character.
How we counted: a whole-word, case-insensitive search of every verse of the Berean Standard Bible (31,086 verses in our data) for each listed English form. Counts describe the English translation, not the Hebrew or Greek behind it, and include every sense of the word.
How does the Bible use grace?
How does the Old Testament speak of grace?
The Hebrew Bible has no single word that lines up neatly with the English word grace. Two ideas carry it instead. The first is chen, favor. Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD in Genesis 6:8, and the verse comes before any command or covenant is given to him.
The second idea is a description of God. In Exodus 34:6, after the golden calf, God is named “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger.” That line returns often in the Psalms and the Prophets.
How does the New Testament use grace?
The Greek word charis appears most often in Paul's letters, where it is the opposite of earning. Ephesians 2:8–9 says people are saved by grace through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast. Romans 11:6 makes the same point with plain logic: if grace could be earned, it would no longer be grace. This tie between grace and being saved runs through Romans, Galatians and Ephesians.
John's Gospel uses the word only in its first chapter. John 1:14 describes Jesus as full of grace and truth, and John 1:16 speaks of “grace upon grace,” one gift following another.
Is grace only about forgiveness?
No. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul hears that grace is enough for his weakness. There grace is power for an ongoing hardship, not only pardon for past wrongs. 1 Peter 4:10 calls believers stewards of the manifold grace of God, each using a gift to serve others. Most of Paul's letters also open with a greeting of grace and peace, as in 1 Corinthians 1:3.
Key Bible verses about grace
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:8 BSB
The best-known statement of grace in the New Testament: salvation comes as a gift, received through faith.
Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,
Exodus 34:6 BSB
God's self-description to Moses. Gracious stands beside compassion, patience and loving devotion.
Noah, however, found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
Genesis 6:8 BSB
Uses favor, the Old Testament idea closest to grace. Noah's story begins with God's favor, not his record.
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 BSB
John describes Jesus as full of grace and truth, joining kindness and honesty in one person.
and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:24 BSB
Paul says people are justified freely by grace. The word freely underlines that nothing is paid.
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 BSB
Grace here is strength in weakness, given for a hardship that was not taken away.
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 BSB
Grace and mercy side by side, both found by coming near to God with confidence.
What are the Hebrew and Greek words behind it?
Hebrew: chen — favor, grace
Used for finding favor in someone's eyes, whether God's or a person's. It points to goodwill shown by someone with power to give it.
Hebrew: chesed — loyal love, steadfast kindness
Not the same word as grace, but close in meaning. The BSB usually renders it as loving devotion.
Greek: charis — grace, favor, gift
In everyday Greek it could mean charm or a favor done for someone. Paul made it a key word for God's free kindness.
Grace vs mercy: what is the difference?
Grace and mercy often appear together, but they answer different questions. Mercy holds back a penalty that is deserved. Grace gives a good that is not deserved. Hebrews 4:16 places both in one sentence.
Why does grace matter?
Grace is a thread that ties the Bible's story together. From Noah to Paul the pattern repeats: God acts first, and people respond. It helps explain why the commands in Exodus come after the rescue from Egypt, not before it.
The word also shapes how readers see failure. Romans 5:20 says grace increased where sin increased, and Romans 6:1 rules out sinning so grace can grow. Grace is received by faith, so the two words often share a sentence. Read it next to the other entries in our Bible dictionary of key words to see how closely they connect.
How do Christian traditions understand grace?
- Many Protestant readers: Stress that people are made right with God by grace alone through faith alone. Grace is mainly God's favor, given apart from any human merit.
- Catholic teaching: Also calls grace free and undeserved. It describes grace as a share in God's life that heals and changes a person, received in a special way through the sacraments.
- Orthodox Christians: Often describe grace as God's real presence and energy at work in a person. By grace people come to share in God's life, a process called theosis.
Quick check
Which verse says people are saved by grace through faith?
Ephesians 2:8. The next verse, Ephesians 2:9, adds that it is not by works, so no one can boast.
Who found favor in the eyes of the LORD before the flood?
Noah, in Genesis 6:8.
What did Paul hear when he asked for relief from his weakness?
That God's grace was sufficient for him, because power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Related Bible words
In summary
- Grace is God's favor given freely to people who have not earned it.
- Paul uses charis as the opposite of earning, most clearly in Ephesians 2:8–9.
- Grace is also strength for hard seasons, as in 2 Corinthians 12:9.
- Mercy withholds what is deserved; grace gives what is not deserved.