Bible Verses About Grace

Grace is God's unmerited favor freely given to those who don't deserve it. Scripture reveals grace as the foundation of salvation, the source of Christian living, and the inexhaustible supply that meets every need.

Translation:

8 Verses

1. Ephesians 2:8-9

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."

This foundational text establishes grace as the sole basis of salvation. Barnes explains that grace means "by mere favor. It is not by your own merit; it is not because you have any claim." Matthew Henry emphasizes: "The grace that saves is the free, undeserved goodness and favour of God; and he saves, not by the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus." Gill describes grace comprehensively as "the free favour of God, to which salvation in all its branches is ascribed; as election, redemption, justification, pardon, adoption, regeneration, and eternal glory." The Pulpit Commentary clarifies that faith "indicates that attitude of men towards Christ in which it pleases God to save them." The Greek χάριτι (chariti) appears with the definite article, emphasizing God's specific, particular favor as salvation's source rather than any human merit (BibleHub Commentaries).

2. 2 Corinthians 12:9

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

Christ's direct response to Paul's prayer for relief reveals grace's sustaining power. Barnes notes: "The meaning of the Saviour is that he would support him; that he would not suffer him to sink exhausted under his trials." Matthew Henry adds: "When God does not take away our troubles and temptations, yet, if he gives grace enough for us, we have no reason to complain. His strength is made perfect in our weakness." Gill emphasizes the comprehensive nature: "The grace of Christ is alone sufficient for all his people, to all saving purposes, in all their times of need." The strength mentioned is "made to appear, is illustrated and shines forth in its perfection and glory, in supplying, supporting, and strengthening his people under all their weakness." The Pulpit Commentary notes the Greek perfect tense conveys the abiding validity of Christ's promise rather than a past event only (BibleHub Commentaries).

3. Romans 5:20

"The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,"

Paul presents grace's triumph over sin in magnificent terms. Barnes explains that "the pardoning mercy of the gospel greatly triumphed over sin, even over the sins of the Jews, though those sins were greatly aggravated by the light which they enjoyed under divine revelation." Matthew Henry frames grace's abundance as restorative: "By Christ and his righteousness, we have more and greater privileges than we lost by the offence of Adam." Gill provides concrete examples: "Sin has abounded in particular persons to a very great height, grace has exceeded it, as in Manasseh, Mary Magdalene, Saul, and others." The Greek verb ὑπερεπερίσσευσεν (hyperperisseusēn) literally means "abounded over and above." Meyer's Commentary explains this surpasses the earlier verb for sin's multiplication—establishing grace as superlative, not merely comparative, to sin's increase (BibleHub Commentaries).

4. Titus 2:11

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people."

This verse presents grace as a divine revelation bringing salvation to all humanity. Barnes defines grace here as "the favor of God, shown to the undeserving" and emphasizes the gospel was "adapted to man as man" and "might include servants as well as masters; subjects, as well as kings." Matthew Henry stresses universality: "The doctrine of grace and salvation by the gospel, is for all ranks and conditions of men." Gill clarifies that the phrase means "the doctrine of grace, the Gospel of the grace of God" which "shows unto men the way of salvation" and serves as "the means, in the hand of the Spirit, of conveying grace to the heart." The Greek ἐπεφάνη (appeared) carries the sense of shining forth like celestial bodies, emphasizing the revelation's brightness and visibility to all humanity (BibleHub Commentaries).

5. John 1:16

"Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given."

John describes the inexhaustible nature of divine grace flowing from Christ's fullness. Barnes explains the phrase represents "privileges and advantages, in proportion to the improvement which they make of those already bestowed on them." Matthew Henry describes grace as "a gift so great, so rich, so invaluable; the good will of God towards us, and the good work of God in us." Gill interprets "grace for grace" as meaning "grace upon grace; heaps of grace" and "an abundance of it, an addition to it, and an increase of it." Vincent's Word Studies notes the Greek χάρις (charis) carries the sense of "that which is complete in itself, plenitude, entire number or quantity," emphasizing inexhaustible supply rather than mere addition. This verse assures believers that grace never runs out but continually replenishes itself (BibleHub Commentaries).

6. Hebrews 4:16

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

The writer invites believers to approach God's throne confidently for grace. Barnes explains: "A throne is the seat of a sovereign; a throne of grace is designed to represent a sovereign seated to dispense mercy and pardon." Matthew Henry notes: "Christ executed one part of his priesthood on earth, in dying for us; the other he executes in heaven, pleading the cause, and presenting the offerings of his people." The Pulpit Commentary distinguishes the terms: "Mercy for past sins; grace for future work, trial, and resistance to temptation." The Greek προσέρχεσθαι (approach) functions as a technical term for worshipper access to God, appearing seven times in Hebrews with this formal liturgical sense. The phrase "seasonable help" (εἰς εὔκαιρον βοήθειαν) emphasizes assistance arriving "while it is still the right time, before it is yet too late" (BibleHub Commentaries).

7. Romans 6:14

"For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."

Paul declares sin's power broken through grace's reign in believers' lives. Barnes clarifies: "The apostle means to say that Christians are not under the law as legalists, or as attempting to be justified by it" while emphasizing Christians still obey moral law but not to earn righteousness. Matthew Henry encourages: "Sin may struggle in a real believer, and create him a great deal of trouble, but it shall not have dominion; it may vex him, but it shall not rule over him." He adds: "God's promises to us are more powerful and effectual for mortifying sin, than our promises to God." Gill distinguishes law and grace: "The law condemns the sinner, grace absolves him; the law requires perfect, grace accepts sincere, obedience." The Greek κυριεύσει (kyrieusei) means "shall have dominion" or "shall be lord over," emphasizing sin's loss of tyrannical power over believers (BibleHub Commentaries).

8. Romans 3:24

"and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

Paul establishes grace as the foundation of justification. Barnes emphasizes that justification is unmerited: "Being treated as if righteous; that is, being regarded and treated as if they had kept the Law." He clarifies that "Freely" (δωρεὰν) means the blessing "is a free, undeserved gift, not merited by our obedience to the Law." Matthew Henry stresses divine initiative: "It is free grace, mere mercy; there is nothing in us to deserve such favours. It comes freely unto us, but Christ bought it, and paid the price." Gill explains the theological foundation: "The moving cause of it is the free grace of God" and describes grace as "the free love and favour of God, as it is in his heart; which is wonderfully displayed in the business of a sinner's justification." The Greek δωρεὰν (dorean) signifies justification costs believers nothing—it is entirely a divine gift without human contribution (BibleHub Commentaries).

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