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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Translation of "Grace" | Rom 4:4 | cant0complain | 204656 | ||
I would like to know how the definition "unmerited favor" came to be used to define "grace". I have see other Greek definitions that use "divine influence" to define "grace", which puts a much fuller shade of meaning on the word, yet the "unmerited favor" definition seems to be the one most widely used and recognized. Thank you. | ||||||
2 | Translation of "Grace" | Rom 4:4 | DocTrinsograce | 204657 | ||
Hi, can't... Welcome to the forum! The phrase "unmerited favor" is a pretty good, short definition of what we doctrinally understand as grace. The New International Dictionary of the Bible gives the slightly longer definition, "...unmerited favor of God toward fallen man..." You see, when we merit something, we rightfully deserve that thing. A workman deserves his wages (Luke 10:7). A fool earns his stripes (Proverbs 19:29). All that we have merited, by our fallen nature and rebellious acts of sin, is the curse of death (Romans 6:23; Galatians 3:10; Revelation 21:8). We do not deserve His favor at all, only the just wrath of a holy God! Sometimes I have defined grace as "the undeserved, enabling power that God gives to men to do that which pleases Him." Since then, though, I came across Thayer's much more complete definition... but its even more of a mouthful! :-) The define this Biblical term (in the context we're discussing) as "of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues." Some have said that grace is God giving to His own what they do not deserve. Mercy, the other side of the coin, is God withholding from His own that which they do deserve. Although that doesn't say it all. As with many Biblical doctrines, encapsulating it in words is a challenge. A. W. Pink says it very well for our modern ears. "Divine grace is the sovereign and saving favour of God exercised in the bestowment of blessings upon those who have no merit in them and for which no compensation is demanded from them. Nay, more; it is the favour of God shown to those who not only have no positive deserts of their own, but who are thoroughly ill-deserving and hell-deserving. It is completely unmerited and unsought, and is altogether unattracted by anything in or from or by the objects upon which it is bestowed. Grace can neither be bought, earned, nor won by the creature. If it could be, it would cease to be grace. When a thing is said to be of grace we mean that the recipient has no claim upon it, that it was in nowise due him. It comes to him as pure charity, and, at first, unasked and undesired." In Him, Doc |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Rom 4:4 | Author | ||
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cant0complain | ||
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DocTrinsograce |