Grace.
It’s one of the Bible’s most beautiful, most powerful themes . . . and one of its most misunderstood.
Grace is not a New Testament invention. It’s not something we can earn. The Gospel, the true, sweeping story of God’s saving love, tells a better story. From the earliest pages of Genesis to Revelation’s final blessing, grace unfolds as the consistent heartbeat of God’s relationship with humanity.
What Does “Grace” Mean?
We’re about to journey through the Bible to spot where grace appears and ask ourselves why. But first, let’s define the word. Grace, in its simplest biblical sense, is unmerited favor. God acting in love toward those who do not deserve it.
As we travel book by book, notice how grace develops, from:
1) God’s favor toward individuals to
2) salvation in Christ to
3) transforming power for daily life to
4) eternal hope.
Let’s begin.
Grace in the Old Testament
Begins With a Steadfast God
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:8)
Grace appears here, in the very first book of the Bible, not as a response to human perfection, but a symbol of God’s faithfulness when faced with widespread corruption. Through Noah and his family, God preserves humanity by grace.
How could the story of the flood possibly demonstrate grace? Find the answer here!
“So the LORD said to Moses . . . you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.” (Exodus 33:17)
In chapters 33 and 34 of Exodus, Moses repeatedly, desperately, asks God to affirm His grace for the Israelites despite their many failures. God repeatedly, lovingly, responds each time by promising His presence. Grace here is relational as God chooses to dwell with His people despite their selfishness.
God’s Favor AND Promise
Throughout the stories of the Israelites and the writings of their leaders, grace appears as the kindness of God granted to those who emulate His character. God’s grace also foreshadows the one human who will never sin, who will embody His character completely: God incarnate.
“Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34)
The verse above will be quoted in the New Testament (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5), showing continuity between the covenants.
“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. . . . (Zechariah 12:10)
Already, the prophets look forward to God’s supreme sacrifice.
Grace in the New Testament
Revealed Fully in Jesus
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
This does not mean grace didn’t exist before but that grace now has a face, a voice, and a name: Jesus. Grace is no longer abstract; it is lived.
Preached and Practiced by the Apostles
“ . . . through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.” (Acts 15:11)
Peter expresses that it is grace that saves (not tradition or DNA). All people “may seek the Lord” (verse 17).
“Being justified freely by His grace . . . ” (Romans 3:24)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith . . . it is the gift of God, not of works.” (Ephesians 2:8–9a)
Paul emphasizes that salvation is not earned, purchased, or maintained by works. God’s grace, made available through Jesus’ life and death, justifies our sinful lives. All we must do is believe in Him (John 3:16).
“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14b)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9a)
The apostles write that grace is not merely pardon; it is power to live free of sin when we can’t seem to stop messing up. This is a revolutionary teaching.
Redefines Christian Lives
Christian lives begin, continue, and find their fulfillment in grace. God’s unmerited favor enables us to approach Him, and His presence can radically transform our lives.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us . . . ” (Titus 2:11–12)
Almost every letter contained in the New Testament ends with grace, demonstrating its importance for our continued growth.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18a)
Completed in Glory
The Bible’s final words are words of grace: a declaration of the saving and sustaining favor of Jesus, “who is and who was and who is to come” (Revelation 1:8).
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:20–21)
God’s Grace Has Not Run Out
Let’s recap. Grace begins with creation preserved, flows through redemption accomplished, empowers sanctification daily, and culminates in eternal restoration. It is a beautiful teaching, but it is not just a doctrine to study. Grace is a gift to receive and a life to live.
Wherever you are today, the same grace that saved Noah, sustained Israel, redeems all, and closes Scripture is available to you.
Grace in the Writings of Ellen G. White
A wonderful author once penned, “So the work of grace in the heart is small in its beginning. A word is spoken, a ray of light is shed into the soul, an influence is exerted that is the beginning of the new life; and who can measure its results?” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 78)
Gifted at illuminating God’s truth, Ellen G. White wrote a lot about grace. (Who was she? Learn more here!) Below, we’ll dig into Bible verses about grace (you’ll recognize many from above) and related quotes from White’s materials.
Grace Defined
| Bible | Ellen G. White |
| “But Noah found grace . . . ” (Genesis 6:8) | “Grace is an attribute of God exercised toward undeserving human beings. We did not seek for it, but it was sent in search of us.” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 161) |
| “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” (John 1:16) | “But the gifts of Jesus are ever fresh and new. . . . He gives grace for grace. There can be no failure of supply. If you abide in Him, the fact that you receive a rich gift today insures the reception of a richer gift tomorrow. ” (Desire of Ages, p. 148) |
Saved By Grace
| Bible | Ellen G. White |
| “For by grace you have been saved through faith . . . not of works.” (Ephesians 2:8–9) | “We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith.” (Steps to Christ, p. 61) |
| “That having been justified by His grace we should become heirs . . . ” (Titus 3:7) | “Pardon and justification are one and the same thing. Through faith, the believer passes from the position of a rebel, a child of sin and Satan, to the position of a loyal subject of Christ Jesus.” (Faith and Works, p. 103) |
| “ . . . We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand . . . ” (Romans 5:1–2) | “If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Savior . . . you are accounted righteous.” (Steps to Christ, p. 62) |
Doesn’t Excuse Sin—It Transforms the Sinner
| Bible | Ellen G. White |
| “ . . . Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1–2) | “But grace does not come in to excuse the sinner in the continuance of sin. God’s grace does not detract from the law, but establishes the law as changeless in its character.” (1888 Materials, p. 375) |
| “For the grace of God . . . teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly . . . ” (Titus 2:11–12) | “The steady influence of the grace of God trains the soul after Christ’s methods, and every fierce passion, every defective trait of character is worked upon by the molding influence of the spirit of Christ.” (The Upward Look, p. 89) |
| “ . . . My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. . . . ” (2 Corinthians 12:9) | “A noble, all-round character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 331) |
For Daily Life
| Bible | Ellen G. White |
| “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) | “The grace of Christ we cannot do without. We must have help from above if we resist the manifold temptations of Satan.” (Our High Calling, p. 129) |
| “But He gives more grace.” (James 4:6a) | “We have only to live one day at a time, and if we get acquainted with God, he will give us strength for what is coming tomorrow, grace sufficient for each day, and every day will find its own victories.” (The Review and Herald, April 29, 1890, par. 11) |
| “Let your speech always be with grace . . . ” (Colossians 4:6) | “In the heart renewed by divine grace, love is the principle of action.” (Steps to Christ, p. 59) |
Yields Personal Growth
| Bible | Ellen G. White |
| “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord . . . ” (2 Peter 3:18) | “Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, a day, but of a lifetime.” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 560) |
| “ . . . I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up . . . ” (Acts 20:32) | “Those who make God’s word their counselor realize the weakness of the human heart and the power of the grace of God to subdue every unsanctified, unholy impulse.” (Testimonies, Vol. 6, p. 160) |
Rooted in Eternity
| Bible | Ellen G. White |
| “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling . . . according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” (2 Timothy 1:9) | “The plan for our redemption was not an afterthought. . . . It was an unfolding of the principles that from eternal ages have been the foundation of God’s throne.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 22) |
| “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21) | “If heavenly light is welcomed by the soul, grace will be given . . . to fit man for the society of the angels of heaven.” (The Review and Herald, August 18, 1891, par. 3) |
Key Takeaways From Scripture
The Bible teaches (and White confirms) that grace:
- was always a part of God’s plan
- is free for all people
- saves us through faith
- transforms our characters
- helps us conquer our daily battles
- trains us to live godly lives
- perseveres to the end
May we not ignore God’s unmerited favor, but walk in it until grace gives way to glory.
Related Articles:
Wish to deepen your understanding of the Bible even more? Check out our study guides, videos, podcasts, and more!
Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Article
From Under Law to Under Grace
In Paul’s introduction to his letter to the Romans, he referred to the...