χάρις
Grace
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does χάρις (cháris) mean in the Bible?
χάρις (cháris) is a Greek word meaning "grace". χάρις, -ιτος, ἡ Abbott-Smith does not include the article here. Grace is the initiating and empowering force of salvation and sanctification, shaping the believer’s identity and conduct. This term runs through the canonical themes of Faith, Messiah, Redemption.
Meaning
Divine favor freely given and unmerited, emphasizing God's gracious kindness rather than human deserving or works.
Why This Word Matters
Grace is the initiating and empowering force of salvation and sanctification, shaping the believer’s identity and conduct. 1 Timothy 1:1-2
The letter both begins and ends with grace, framing all instruction and mission within God’s initiating and sustaining favor. 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Affirms that salvation rests solely on divine favor, not works. 2 Timothy 1:8-12
It emphasizes that justification is a gift, not earned by human effort. 2 Timothy 2:1-7
Highlights the superabundant favor of God that surpasses sin. 2 Timothy 4:19-22
Anchors the entire letter in sustaining divine favor. Acts 11:19-26
Barnabas discerns authentic conversion as evidence of God’s grace. Acts 14:1-7
Identifies the central content of the apostolic message. Acts 15:6-11
Identifies the sole basis of salvation in Christ.
Affirms that faith and growth occur through God’s gracious work.
The generosity of the believers flows from the grace resting upon them.
Stephen’s ministry flows from God’s gracious empowerment.
Grace establishes the foundation of salvation and ministry, removing human boasting.
Grace is not only the basis of salvation but the sustaining force for ministry endurance.
Paul concludes the letter by grounding the believer's life and ministry in the sustaining grace of God.
The blessing of grace in 1:2 frames everything as gift. Timothy's calling, the church's existence, even Paul's ministry, stand on undeserved favor. This undercuts any legalistic distortion of sound doctrine and prepares for Paul's testimony about receiving mercy instead of what He deserved (1:12-16).
Grace not only forgives but overflows, producing faith and love in the believer.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
New Testament Witnesses
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain