Attribute of God: Grace as Undeserved Favor in Scripture

Grace, in a biblical context, fundamentally refers to God's unmerited favor and benevolent action towards humanity ^{[4, 11, 12]}. This concept is central to Christian theology, distinguishing God's dealings with humanity from a system based on strict merit or law ^[1]. The term "grace" itself carries meanings of favor, kindness, and friendship ^[1].

The goodness of God is a perfection of His character, which He extends to His creatures. When this goodness is exercised in communicating favor to the unworthy, it is specifically called grace ^[4]. This understanding highlights that grace is not earned but freely given. For instance, the names "Hannathon" and "Hananeel" are associated with "the gift of grace" and "grace, or gift, of God," respectively, indicating this inherent meaning ^{[2, 3]}.

Scripture presents grace in various dimensions:

Undeserved Blessing: Grace is consistently described as an undeserved blessing that originates from God ^{[11, 12]}. This is evident in passages like Ephesians 2:7, which speaks of the "riches of grace" exhibited in God's kindness through Christ, and Ephesians 1:6, which mentions the "glory of grace" in our acceptance in Christ ^[7]. Romans 5:2 further emphasizes this "undeserved privilege" as foundational to the believer's situation, indicating that God's grace is necessary throughout the Christian life, not just at its commencement ^[13].
Divine Initiative: God is consistently identified as the source and giver of grace ^[7]. Psalm 84:11 and James 1:17 affirm that God is the giver of grace, and 1 Peter 5:10 refers to Him as the "God of all grace" ^[7]. The Holy Spirit is also called the "Spirit of grace" ^[7].
Through Christ: Grace is intimately connected with Jesus Christ. Luke 2:40 notes that grace was upon Christ, and John 1:14 states that Christ was "full of grace" ^[7]. John 1:17 explicitly states that "grace... came by Jesus Christ" ^[1]. Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 1:4 indicates that grace is given by Christ ^[7].
Distinction from Law: The New Testament often contrasts grace with the law, particularly in the writings of Paul. John 1:17 states, "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" ^[1]. Romans 6:14 similarly declares that believers are "not under law but under grace" ^[1].
Manifestations of Grace: Grace manifests in various ways. It encompasses God's forgiving mercy (Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:5) ^[1]. It also refers to gifts freely bestowed by God, such as miracles, prophecy, and tongues (Romans 15:15; 1 Corinthians 15:10; Ephesians 3:8) ^[1]. Christian virtues are also considered aspects of grace (2 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Peter 3:18) ^[1]. Even the glory to be revealed in the future is described as grace (1 Peter 1:13) ^[1].
Humility and Pride: James 4:6 states that "God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" ^[10]. This highlights a condition for receiving grace, emphasizing humility as a prerequisite.

The concept of grace extends to the "election of grace," where God chooses individuals for eternal life based on His good pleasure, as seen in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and Ephesians 1:4 ^[5]. This election is not based on human merit but on God's sovereign will ^[5].

The breadth of grace is further illustrated in 2 Corinthians 9:15, which gives "thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift" ^{[8, 9]}. This "unspeakable gift" is often understood as the ultimate expression of God's grace in Christ. The Geneva Bible's translation of Ephesians 4:7 notes that "unto every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ" ^[6], underscoring the individual and Christ-centered nature of this divine favor.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Grace — (1.) Of form or person (Prov. 1:9; 3:22; Ps. 45:2). (2.) Favour, kindness, friendship (Gen. 6:8; 18:3; 19:19; 2 Tim. 1:9). (3.) God's forgiving mercy (Rom. 11:6; Eph. 2:5). (4.) The gospel as distinguished from the law (John 1:17; Rom. 6:14; 1 Pet. 5:12). (5.) Gifts freely bestowed by God; as miracles, prophecy, tongues (Rom. 15:15; 1 Cor. 15:10; Eph. 3:8). (6.) Christian virtues (2 Cor. 8:7; 2 Pet. 3:18). (7.) The glory hereafter to be revealed (1 Pet. 1:13).”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Hannathon — the gift of grace”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Hananeel — grace, or gift, of God”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
Ephesians “Ephesians 4:7 (Geneva1599) — But vnto euery one of vs is giuen grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Grace — God is the God of all -- 1Pe 5:10. God is the Giver of -- Ps 84:11; Jas 1:17. God's throne, the throne of -- Heb 4:16. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of -- Zec 12:10; Heb 10:29. Was upon Christ -- Lu 2:40; Joh 3:24. Christ spoke with -- Ps 45:2; Lu 4:22. Christ was full of -- Joh 1:14. Came by Christ -- Joh 1:17; Ro 5:15. Given by Christ -- 1Co 1:4. Foretold by the prophets -- 1Pe 1:10. Riches of, exhibited in God's kindness through Christ -- Eph 2:7. Glory of, exhibited in our acceptance in Christ -- Eph 1:6. Is described as Great. -- Ac 4:33. Sovereign. -- R”
King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 9:15 — Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
II Corinthians “II Corinthians 9:15 (ASV) — Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.”
James “James 4:6 (Geneva1599) — But the Scripture offereth more grace, and therefore sayth, God resisteth the proude, and giueth grace to the humble.”
Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 1:2: 1:2 Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God; peace is well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). These qualities are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (see Rom 5:1-2).”
Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 1:2: 1:2 Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God; peace is well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). These qualities are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (see Rom 5:1-2).”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 5:2: 5:2 undeserved privilege (or grace): So basic is God’s grace (Greek charis) that Paul can use the word to sum up our present situation as believers. • Where we now stand indicates that God’s grace is needed throughout the Christian life, not just at the beginning. • Sharing God’s glory describes the content of Christian hope, which Paul introduces here and expounds more fully in 8:18-30. Behind Paul’s use of the word glory (Greek doxa) is the Hebrew word kabod, which depicts God’s majesty and overwhelming presence. The prophets predict a day when God’s glory will r”

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