Besides a state of favor in a giver, and the state of being favored in the recipient, grace is also the item showing the favor – a “gift”. This thought of grace is highlighted by this verse:
“Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift (grace, “charis”), and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.” (2 Corinthians 8:4)
This is speaking of a collection of money the Christians in Macedonia took for the needy saints in Jerusalem. Grace here is quite tangible . . . A “thing”. “Favor” has legs . . . It turns into a blessing for the favored one. The biggest example of grace as a gift is with unmerited salvation itself:
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift (grace, “charis”) of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
Continue to Grace – In the Old Testament or visit previous in series, Grace – Etymology and Usage
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