The concept of Grace of God in Christianity
The Grace of God is a foundational concept in Christianity, referring to the unmerited favor and assistance that God provides to humanity. This divine favor is crucial for salvation, transformation, and spiritual growth, enabling individuals to live according to God's will and overcome personal challenges. It highlights God's unconditional love, offering hope and comfort to believers. Across various contexts, the Grace of God is viewed as essential for forgiveness, regeneration, and the enriching of one's relationship with the divine, emphasizing its significance in spiritual life.
Synonyms: Divine favor, God's mercy, Heavenly grace, Spiritual grace, God's kindness, Divine compassion, Divine blessing, Divine grace, God's blessing, Blessing, Heavenly mercy, Benevolence, Spiritual gift
In Dutch: Genade van God; In Finnish: Jumalan armo; In Spanish: Gracia de Dios; In German: Gnade Gottes; In Malay: Rahmat Allah; In Swedish: Guds nåd; In French: Grâce de Dieu
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Grace of God'
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) This refers to the grace that comes from God.[1] (2) The text describes Barnabas's joy over the manifestation of this concept, demonstrating his goodness and recognition of it in others.[2] (3) This is described as the love of God, which is extended to individuals even when they do not deserve it, especially when considering their transgressions.[3] (4) This refers to the divine assistance needed to resist temptation and avoid sin.[4] (5) The grace of God is a term that refers to the gospel that Paul was sent to testify, and it is considered an important aspect.[5]
From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)
(1) The grace of God is connected with the character of a miracle, and the miracles of the Gospels show Christ's grace towards men.[6] (2) Represents God's unmerited favour and kindness towards humanity, often discussed by St. Paul, emphasizing grace as a foundational aspect of Christian theology.[7] (3) The divine enablement and assistance provided by God to Christians in their daily lives.[8] (4) The divine influence enabling Timothy for strength and guidance in his new role.[9] (5) God's unmerited favor towards humanity, which allows for forgiveness and reconciliation despite sin.[10]
From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository
(1) A central theme in Pauline doctrine, emphasizing God's unearned favor that provides salvation and justification through Christ.[11] (2) The unmerited favor and kindness of God as highlighted in the Epistle to the Ephesians by Alford.[12] (3) The theme highlighting how God selects from among the most unlikely candidates to fulfill His promises, as seen in the genealogy of Jesus.[13] (4) A divine favor that was recognized by the church in Antioch, prompting the mission of Barnabas and Paul.[14] (5) The fundamental message Titus was to promote, emphasizing salvation and redemption through Christ.[15]
From: Hymns for Christian Devotion
(1) The unearned favor and love from God that sustains and holds individuals, preventing them from faltering.[16]
From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus
(1) Refers to God's favor and presence in Jesus's life, contributing to his growth in wisdom and spirit.[17]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) The unearned and generous favor from God that enables salvation, highlighted as the basis for the acceptance of both Jews and Gentiles.[18]
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) This is the source of the soul's ability to receive prophetic messages, which provides the soul with an additional ability, as established within the existing text.[19] (2) The grace of God is the source of renewal and is bestowed upon individuals, and is described as a means by which people are made pure and holy, allowing them to obtain wisdom and knowledge.[20] (3) The divine favor that is offered to people, and the importance of not despising it, as it can be taken away if you displease the Lord.[21] (4) A divine influence that empowered women to achieve extraordinary feats, enabling them to demonstrate courage and strength in challenging circumstances.[22] (5) The expression refers to the divine favor that operates within individuals, influencing their actions, and it is a gift from God.[23]
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) This is divine assistance, enabling individuals to overcome their transgressions and attain spiritual growth, emphasizing its pivotal role in redemption.[24] (2) A divine gift freely given by God, associated with love, which enables believers to receive and perform acts pertaining to worship.[25] (3) Divine help given to humanity for regeneration and sanctification, which becomes fully manifest only after Christ's birth, not at the moment of birth.[26] (4) The divine assistance given by God for regeneration and sanctification, especially as it relates to faith in Christ.[27] (5) The grace of God refers to the divine favor that is lost through mortal sin, such as vainglory, indicating the necessity of humility and reverence for receiving divine acknowledgement.[28]
From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis
(1) This is a state of spiritual favor, and the text emphasizes that no person can be certain of persevering in it until the very end of life.[29] (2) Grace of God was the divine influence that St. Francis believed would help him and the Soldan, as he ascended into heaven.[30] (3) The divine favor that inspires people to follow St. Francis, despite his lack of worldly beauty, knowledge, or nobility.[31] (4) A divine favor that provides spiritual benefits; Friar Giles prefers having a little of this grace as a Religious than many as a layman.[32] (5) The unmerited divine assistance that God offers to humans for their regeneration and sanctification.[33]
From: The city of God
(1) This refers to the divine favor and benevolence, specifically as it is manifested through Christ Jesus, which is the central theme of the prophecies.[34] (2) The grace of God is mentioned as the only thing that can set people free from the tyranny of the demons, highlighting its importance in overcoming deception and evil.[35] (3) This phrase refers to the divine's unearned favor or assistance, and is a central concept in faith, and is what can be recognized in Christ.[36] (4) This refers to the divine assistance or favor that people receive, which helps them overcome challenges and move towards a better future.[37]
From: Works of St. Anselm
(1) The unmerited favor and assistance provided by God, enabling individuals to gain understanding and higher knowledge.[38]
From: The Existence and Attributes of God
(1) The unmerited favor from God that allows for forgiveness and the cultivation of a church despite human sin.[39] (2) Bestowal of happiness without any merit from the recipient, a part of God's goodness.[40] (3) The unmerited favor and assistance from God, central to the doctrine's teachings about human dependence and salvation.[41] (4) An unmerited favor provided by God that teaches humans to deny ungodliness and act righteously.[42] (5) The unmerited favor and love of God that allows worship to be meaningful and transformative, particularly in the context of spiritual desires.[43]
From: The Second Helvetic Confession
(1) This is the ultimate source of any reward received, as it is more grace than a reward, and it is recognized that we do good through God, not through ourselves.[44] (2) The grace of God performs these things for souls, and does so invisibly or spiritually, the same as water cleanses physically.[45] (3) The grace of God is not to be rejected, for if justification were through the law, then Christ died to no purpose, according to the text.[46]
From: The Kebra Nagast
(1) The unmerited divine assistance that Solomon laments has been removed from the people, indicating a period of divine disfavor.[47] (2) The unmerited favor of God offered to those who believe in Christ, ensuring their salvation.[48] (3) The unmerited favor and love of God towards humanity, enabling believers to have fellowship with Him.[49]
Gnostic concept of 'Grace of God'
From: Pistis Sophia
(1) The divine favor and support that assists Pistis Sophia in her struggles and ultimately leads to her salvation.[50] (2) The unmerited favor and kindness extended by God to believers, which Andrew seeks as a means of salvation and support.[51] (3) The divine favor that the faithful trust in, as mentioned in the context of a fruit-bearing olive-tree symbolizing life and sustenance.[52] (4) The merciful favor of God requested by the speaker, emphasizing the need for divine assistance.[53]
The concept of Grace of God in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Grace of God" encompasses divine assistance and favor, crucial for church unity, personal labor, establishment of the English Church, support for King Ethelbert, encouragement of good deeds, and the elevation of Theodore as archbishop.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The concept that divine intervention is essential for achieving Moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.[54] (2) The benevolence and favor believed to be granted by the deity, in this case, Karuppanna, that alleviates suffering.[55] (3) Divine assistance believed to play a crucial role in the creative process of musicians.[56] (4) The benevolent influence and mercy from God that aids individuals in their spiritual journeys.[57] (5) Refers to the divine aid that Niraja believes has helped her navigate hardships, linking her personal struggles to a larger spiritual context.[58]
From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
(1) A blessing sought for the safety and unity of the Church, expressing a reliance on divine assistance to maintain the congregation's integrity.[59] (2) Divine assistance granted by God, which Cuthbert hopes will allow him to live in a place by his own labor.[60] (3) Divine favor and help that enables individuals to perform good deeds and experience spiritual gifts.[61] (4) A divinely given favor which marked Theodore's position as archbishop.[62] (5) The divine favor that Pope Gregory hopes will continue to be with King Ethelbert, enhancing his rule and personal life.[63]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) The source through which all paths become easy, as stated in the provided text.[64]