The Grace of God
In the KJV Strong’s word “G5485”, which essentially means “grace”, is used 156 times and G2143 (grace) one time in James 1:11. When you look at Strong’s definition the following is provided.
Strong’s: G5485 khar’-ece From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): – acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy). Total KJV occurrences: 156
Strong’s definition seems to focus on being “gratified” one way or another. Thayer’s defines the word in more complete terms.
Thayer’s: G5485
1) grace
1a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2) good will, loving-kindness, favour
2a) 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
3) what is due to grace
3a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
3b) the token or proof of grace, benefit
3b1) a gift of grace
3b2) benefit, bounty
4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward
When we consider that most of the New Testament is written relating to the “firstfruit” of the Father and of Jesus we can see how the firstfruit would have a very close relationship. The firstfruits are favored, for reasons only God knows, and have God’s unique affection.
Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1Jn 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Rev 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.
These verses show the love God has for his servants. With that love comes an affection and that affection results in how his people are favored.
Strong’s number G5485 was used 158 times. That number used the word “grace” 130 times. Other words such as “thankworthy” were used 11 times. The word “favor” was used only six times. But as I look at how the word is defined, especially in Thayer’s, I find that his definitions have a very close relationship to the word “favor” and particularly to the term “affectionally favored” or “affection of favor”. You may have joy, pleasure, loveliness, mercy, and loving-kindness to name a few, because you have been affectionally favored. Rather than simply use the word “favor” the term ”affection of favor” gives a more intimate relationship between God and his people.
I would like to list a few verses and supplement the words “affectionally favored” or “affection of favor” for the word “grace” to see how it can give that personal meaning to the verse.
Act 11:23 Who, when he (Barnabas), came, and had seen the affectionally favored of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: affection of favor to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 15:10 But by the affection of favor of God I am what I am: and his affection of favor which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the affection of favor of God which was with me.
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all affection of favor abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Eph 1:2 Affection of favor be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
The wording is more cumbersome but it can give a more individualized feeling to the verse. If nothing else it might help to appreciate more fully that type of “grace” that is given to us.
A most common definition for grace is “the divine influence upon the heart” as mentioned in Strong’s. Thayer’s puts that idea in different terms — “exerting his holy influence upon souls”. These definitions could apply to so many verses including the following.
Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
2Th 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
This definition gives us a more in depth feeling when we would think of “the grace of God”. Because there are so many ways G5485 can be used it is incumbent upon a person reading the Bible to make the decision on which definition would best apply. It does seem that the two definitions I highlighted could be used most of the time.
It may be helpful to know in the Old Testament — Strong’s number H2580 was used 38 times for “grace” and 26 times for “favour”. The actual “Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon” for H2580 is extensive and stipulates or highlights “favor”. The following is from e-Sword’s Brown-Driver-Briggs definitions.
1) favour, grace, charm
1a) favour, grace, elegance
1b) favour, acceptance
