χάρις
charis
grace
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word χάρις (charis) is a term that appears 157 times in the Bible, with a core meaning of "grace." This concept encompasses a sense of favor, kindness, or benevolence, often bestowed by one person or entity upon another. The word can be used to describe a gift or a benefit that is given freely, without expectation of repayment or reciprocity. In terms of usage, χάρις is employed in a variety of contexts, including expressions of gratitude, descriptions of divine favor, and discussions of human relationships. It is often used in conjunction with other words to convey a sense of appreciation or obligation, such as in the phrase "eulogia charin" (meaning "praise and thanks"). The word's significance lies in its ability to convey a sense of generosity and kindness, highlighting the importance of relationships and the value of unmerited favor. The frequency and versatility of χάρις in the Bible suggest its importance in the ancient Greek culture and the early Christian community. Its meaning and usage offer insights into the values and relationships of the time, emphasizing the significance of kindness, generosity, and appreciation in human interactions.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
157 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Luke 2:40The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 2:52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Luke 4:22All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
Luke 6:32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
Luke 6:33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
Luke 6:34If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.
Luke 17:9Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded? I think not.
John 1:14The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:16From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.
John 1:16From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.
John 1:17For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:47praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 4:33With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.
Acts 6:8Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.
Acts 7:10and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
Acts 7:46who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.
Acts 11:23who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.
Acts 13:43Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
Acts 14:3Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Acts 14:26From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.
Acts 15:11But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
Acts 15:40but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.
Acts 18:27When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
Acts 20:24But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.
Acts 20:32Now, brothers, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Acts 24:27But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
Acts 25:3asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem; plotting to kill him on the way.
Acts 25:9But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there concerning these things?”
Romans 1:5through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake;
Romans 1:7to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:24being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
Romans 4:4Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed.
Romans 4:16For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the offspring, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.
Romans 5:2through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:15But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
Romans 5:15But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
Romans 5:17For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:20The law came in that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly;
Romans 5:21that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Romans 6:14For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace.
Romans 6:15What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? May it never be!
Romans 6:17But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were delivered.
Romans 7:25I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God’s law, but with the flesh, sin’s law.
Romans 11:5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Romans 11:6And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
Romans 11:6And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
Romans 11:6And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
Romans 11:6And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.