Our articles have been examining the word “grace” (charis in Greek) in the New Testament. The word is used 155 times, but is not found in: Matthew, Mark, 1 John, and 3 John. In this article, I will present its use in the letters from Galatians-Colossians.
“Grace” is found 7 times in Galatians, beginning in the salutation (1:3) and conclusion (6:18). False teachers were influencing Christians to desert God who called them by the grace of Christ (1:6). Paul was called by the grace of God to be an apostle (1:15). James and Peter recognized that gracious gift given to Paul, to be the apostle to the Gentiles (2:9). To teach that salvation is through Jesus Christ (not the Law of Moses) does not nullify the grace of God (2:21). If one were to try to be saved by obeying the Law of Moses, he has fallen from that grace (5:4).
“Grace” is found in Ephesians 12 times, as Paul focuses on the grace of God which is revealed through the church. Again, he uses the word in his salutation (1:2) and conclusion (6:24), where he says we receive grace if we love Christ with incorruptible love. Those who are saved are predestined to the praise of God’s grace (1:5) to receive forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace (1:7). We are saved by grace (2:5, 8) as God reveals the riches of His grace (2:7).
As an apostle, Paul was given stewardship of God’s grace (3:2) to preach His gospel (3:7), the unfathomable riches of Christ (3:8). Various gracious gifts have been given (4:7) to build up the church. And we are to be careful how we speak to each other so we give “grace” through our words (4:29).
“Grace” is used in Philippians three times, in the salutation (1:2) and conclusion (4:23). The Philippian Christians were partakers of God’s grace with Paul, to preach the gospel to others (1:7). Finally, “grace” is used five times in Colossians. Paul uses the word in his salutation (1:2) and his conclusion (4:18). When one hears and responds to the gospel, he “understands the grace of God” (1:5-6). We are to sing with grace (“thankfulness,” NASV) in our hearts (3:16) and we are to speak to one another with grace (4:6).
I anticipate two more articles in this series.
Paul Holland
