Some of my readers have expressed interest in my study of the original greek words used in the New Testament, so this week I dive into what I think is one of the most significant words — “charis” (grace).
The phrase “There but for the grace of God go I” always hits home. It’s a humble reminder of how God’s "charis"—His incredible, no-strings-attached gift—keeps me from a darker path. In the New Testament, "charis" (grace) is a life-changing force, freely given without expecting anything back, and it gives birth to “agape", a selfless love that shows up in how we care for others. Let’s explore how "charis" evolved in its Greek usage and how it leads to “agape", using the storytelling style of Paul and John.
In ancient Greek, "charis" was about social favors—helping a friend today expecting help tomorrow —like doing a friend a solid and expecting one back.
But when Paul uses charis, it explodes with divine generosity: God giving forgiveness, identity, and hope, expecting nothing back. In the New Testament, "charis" transforms into something much deeper: God’s generosity. It's a gift you don’t earn and can’t pay back. You can get a feel for this in Romans 5:15, where Paul writes, “But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.” It’s like Paul’s saying, “Sin broke us, but God’s grace? It’s way bigger!” "charis" here is a flood of forgiveness, washing over us when we least deserve it.
We see this even more so in Romans 5:20: “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” The worse we mess up, the more God’s grace shows up. “Charis" isn’t about keeping score; it’s God saying, “I’ve got you, no matter what.” John captures this in 1 John 3:1: “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!” God calling me His kid? That’s "charis"—a gift so huge it has to make me swell with gratitude.
God’s "charis" doesn’t just sit there; it sparks “agape", a love that gives without asking for anything back. In Greek, “agape" was once a simple word for love, but the New Testament makes it holy, a love that looks like Jesus. Take Romans 5:8: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” That’s “agape" flowing from "charis". God didn’t wait for me to get my act together; His grace poured out through Jesus’ sacrifice, loving me at my lowest.
Jesus puts it perfectly in John 15:13: “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” That’s “agape"—giving everything, expecting nothing especially when reciprocation is impossible! It’s the kind of love we want to live out because we’ve been touched by "charis". Paul ties it together in Ephesians 2:8-9: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” I can’t earn this grace, but it makes me want to love others like Jesus does, as Paul urges in Ephesians 5:2: “Live a life filled with love.” That’s “agape"—a life shaped by God’s free gift.
Other passages in The New Testament shows "charis" and “agape" in action. Paul writes in Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures.” God’s "charis" doesn’t just save me; it changes how I live, pushing me to love others selflessly. I see this in 2 Corinthians 8:7, where Paul says, “Since you excel in so many ways… see that you also excel in this gracious act of giving.” Giving without expecting a thank-you? That’s “agape" born from "charis".
The Good Samaritan in Luke 10:33-35 provides a great illustration. This guy sees a stranger beat up on the road and helps him, no questions asked. That’s "charis"—not a favor to be repaid, but a gift that leads to “agape", caring for someone who can’t pay you back. It reminds me that God’s grace in my life should spill over into how I treat others. “Agape" today might look like forgiving someone who ghosted you, paying for a stranger’s groceries, or loving your co-worker when they least deserve it—because that’s how God loved you.
So, the Greek word "charis" went from a favor you’d repay, to God’s overwhelming, no-strings-attached gift in the New Testament. Verses like Romans 5:15, 5:20, and 1 John 3:1 show "charis" as a love that covers my failures. From that grace flows “agape", the selfless love in Romans 5:8 and John 15:13 that changes how I see others. When I say, “There but for the grace of God go I,” I’m reminded that "charis" saves me and fuels “agape" to love without expecting anything back.
It’s personal, it’s real, and it’s why I want to live differently every day.
I pray that you do too!
Blessings on you and yours,
Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study