Word grace meant to be

The word grace has many meanings. This article will cover all the meanings of grace, its etymology, example sentences, translations, synonyms, and antonyms. Keep reading to learn more about grace!

What Does the Word Grace Mean?

According to Dictionary, grace is a noun that has many different definitions. Most often, grace refers to the beauty of movement, a sense of propriety, or an attractive quality. In Greek mythology, grace is thought of as three sister goddesses named Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia. 

Grace can also refer to temporary immunity from a penalty after something like a bill is due or something has expired and needs renewal, usually known as a grace period for a debtor. 

Finally, the title grace can be used for a duke, duchess, archbishop, or other members of nobility. The word grace can also be a verb that means to adorn or honor.

In Christian theology, the grace of God is the state of sanctification and unmerited love that God provides. This gift of God allows for the salvation of sinners in the Christian gospel, and the favor of God leads to salvation for the masses. Grace is sometimes said as a short prayer.

For Christians, God’s grace is thought to be divine assistance from the heavens, and Christ Jesus allows for the absolution of sin.

What Is the Origin of Grace?

Learning the etymology of different words like grace can be useful in understanding their meaning. The word grace has been used since the 1100s in Middle English and comes from Old French. This word comes from the Latin grātia, gratus, and grātus.

How Can We Use Grace in a Sentence?

Since the word grace has numerous definitions, this means that it can be used in many ways in sentences. When you study these example sentences containing the word grace, see if you can determine which meaning is being used in each: 

We said grace at the Thanksgiving dinner table to honor God’s divine influence.

We read about the concept of God’s grace in the books of Genesis, Ephesians, and Romans.

The girl in the cotillion walked with grace and impressed all of the banquet’s attendees.

We were grateful that we were still in our grace period when it came time to cancel our subscription to the expensive service. 

We honored the duchess by referring to her as “Your Grace.” 

What Are Translations of Grace?

The concept of grace is not exclusive to English-speakers — it is present all around the world! If you are going to speak with someone who does not know English and want to talk about the concept of grace, study this list of translations from Nice Translator. That way, you will be prepared to speak about grace in any language.

You might notice that several of these translations of grace look similar to the word grace. This often happens when a word in one language has the same root or language of origin as a word in another language. These wods are called cognates. How many can you spot?

• Polish: wdzięk
• Chinese (Taiwan): 優雅
• Spanish: gracia
• Basque: liraintasun
• Serbian: грациозност
• Arabic: نعمة او وقت سماح
• Italian: adornare
• Japanese: 恵み
• Danish: nåde
• Welsh: gras
• Catalan: gràcia
• Hebrew: חן
• Tamil: கருணை
• Turkish: lütuf
• Portuguese (Portugal): graça
• Icelandic: náður
• Hindi: सुंदर
• Kannada: ಗ್ರೇಸ್
• French: la grâce
• Malayalam: ചാരുത
• Russian: милость
• Thai: เกรซ
• Bengali: অনুগ্রহ
• Swedish: nåd
• Estonian: arm
• Norwegian: nåde
• Bulgarian: гратис
• Marathi: कृपा
• Ukrainian: грація
• Hungarian: kegyelem
• Czech: milost
• Latvian: žēlastība
• Korean: 우아함
• Amharic: ጸጋ
• Vietnamese: duyên dáng
• Urdu: فضل
• Greek: χάρη
• Dutch: elegantie
• Slovak: rozmnožiť
• German: Anmut
• Portuguese (Brazil): graça
• Indonesian: berkah
• Croatian: milost
• Telugu: దయ
• Romanian: graţie
• Gujarati: ગ્રેસ
• Finnish: armo
• Chinese (PRC): 优雅

What Are Synonyms of the Word Grace?

There are several words that can be used in place of the word grace. Since grace has numerous definitions, it can be useful to know synonyms for each in case someone is confused about your intended meaning. 

Study this list of synonyms of grace from Power Thesaurus to learn more!

• adorn
• amnesty
• attractiveness
• allowance of time
• beatitude
• beautify
• beauty
• bedeck
• benediction
• beneficence
• benevolence
• benignity
• bless
• blessing
• blessings
• charity
• charm
• clemency
• comeliness
• compassion
• courtesy
• cultivation
• culture
• decency
• deck
• decorate
• decorum
• dignify
• discrimination
• distinguish
• elegance
• embellish
• endowment
• kindliness
• kindness
• leniency
• lenity
• loveliness
• manners
• mercy
• ornament
• pardon
• philanthropy
• piety
• pity
• poise
• polish
• politeness
• prayer
• prettify
• refinement
• reprieve
• righteousness
• sanctity
• seemliness
• sophistication
• style
• suaveness
• suppleness
• tact
• taste
• tastefulness
• thanks
• thanksgiving
• trim
• urbanity

What Are Antonyms of the Word Grace?

Several words also mean the opposite of the word grace, known as antonyms. Power Thesaurus lists numerous antonyms of the word grace.

• abhorrent behavior
• abominable behavior
• abuse
• abusive behavior
• abusiveness
• aggravation
• aggressive behavior
• aggro
• agitation
• annoyance
• antagonism
• anxiety
• arseholery
• atrocious behavior
• attaint
• avarice
• avenged sevenfold
• awkwardness
• bad side
• banefulness
• beg
• betrayal
• blight
• blot
• boorishness
• brass neck
• clumsiness
• clunkiness
• coarseness
• commonness
• complain
• complication
• conflict
• consternation
• controversiality
• controversialness
• controversy
• critical nature
• crudeness
• cruelty
• deface
• demean
• disfavor
• disgrace
• distress
• embarrassment
• evil
• gracelessness
• harshness
• revenge
• ruin
• tastelessness
• trouble
• unseemliness
• vulgarity

Conclusion

Grace is a word with several meanings. It can be used as a noun or verb in various contexts, from general usage to Christian theology. Try using the word grace in a sentence today!

Sources:

1. Synonyms of Grace | Power Thesaurus 
2. Grace antonyms – 420 Opposites of Grace | Power Thesaurus 
3. Grace Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com 
4. Grace | Nice Translator

благодать, милость, изящество, грация, украшать, награждать, удостаивать

существительное ↓

глагол ↓

Словосочетания

a woman of surpassing grace and beauty — женщина изумительной красоты и изящества  
the liquid grace of a ballerina — непринуждённое изящество балерины  
to administer the coup de grace (with a knife) — нанести последний удар (кинжалом)  
habitual grace — врождённое изящество  
irresistible grace — неотразимое изящество  
a lapse from grace — лишение милости  
a sample of grace — образец изящества  
with a bad grace — неохотно  
grace cup — кубок чаша, последний, прощальный бокал, глоток  
day of grace — льготный срок  
to fall from grace — терять расположение  
natural grace — естественная грация  

Примеры с переводом

Примеры, ожидающие перевода

Возможные однокоренные слова

disgrace  — позор, немилость, бесчестие, опала, позорить, опозорить, бесчестить, осрамить
graceful  — изящный, грациозный, элегантный, приятный
graceless  — некрасивый, тяжеловесный, непристойный, развращенный, бесстыдный
gracious  — милостивый, добрый, любезный, милосердный, снисходительный, обходительный
graces  — грации, игра в серсо, привлекательные свойства

Формы слова

verb
I/you/we/they: grace
he/she/it: graces
ing ф. (present participle): gracing
2-я ф. (past tense): graced
3-я ф. (past participle): graced

noun
ед. ч.(singular): grace
мн. ч.(plural): graces

“The very center and core of the whole Bible is the doctrine of the grace of God.”  –J. Gresham Machen

“Grace” is one of the most important concepts in the Bible, Christianity, and the world. It is most clearly expressed in the promises of God revealed in Scripture and embodied in Jesus Christ.

Grace is the love of God shown to the unlovely, the peace of God given to the restless, the unmerited favor of God.

Definition of Grace

In Christian terms, grace can be defined as “God’s favor toward the unworthy” or “God’s benevolence on the undeserving.” In His grace, God is willing to forgive us and bless us, even though we fall short of living righteously. 

«For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God» (Romans 3:23). 

«Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.» (Romans 5:1-2)

«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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.» (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Modern, secular definitions of grace relate to a person’s «elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action; or a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.»

Merriam-Webster’s list of definitions for grace includes:

1. «Unmerited divine assistance granted to humans for their regeneration or sanctification.»
2. «Approval, or Favor»
3. «A charming or attractive trait or characteristic»
4. «—used as a title of address or reference for a duke, a duchess, or an archbishop.»
5. «A short prayer at a meal asking a blessing or giving thanks.»
6. «A musical trill, turn, or appoggiatura»

What is Grace? — Christian Quotes

“Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving.”(B.B. Warfield)

“Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.”(John Stott)

“[Grace] is God reaching downward to people who are in rebellion against Him.”(Jerry Bridges)

“Grace is unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it.” (Paul Zahl)

«Grace is God’s best idea. His decision to ravage a people by love, to rescue passionately, and to restore justly — what rivals it? Of all his wondrous works, grace, in my estimation, is the magnum opus.» (Max Lucado)

«The five means of grace are prayer, searching the Scriptures, the Lord’s Supper, fasting, and Christian [fellowship].» (Elaine A. Heath)

Grace is most needed and best understood in the midst of sin, suffering, and brokenness. We live in a world of earning, deserving, and merit, which result in judgment. That is why everyone wants and needs grace. Judgment kills. Only grace makes us alive.

A shorthand for what grace is — “mercy, not merit.” Grace is the opposite of karma, which is about getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve and not getting what you do deserve. Christianity teaches that what we deserve is death as the price of sin, which separates us from God, Who is life.

While everyone desperately needs it, grace is not about us. Grace is a word about God: his un-coerced initiative and pervasive, extravagant demonstrations of care and favor. Michael Horton writes, “In grace, God gives nothing less than Himself. Grace, then, is not a third thing or substance mediating between God and sinners, but is Jesus Christ in redeeming action.”

Christians live every day by the grace of God. We receive forgiveness according to the riches of God’s grace, and grace drives our sanctification. Paul tells us, “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives” (Titus 2:11). Spiritual growth doesn’t happen overnight; we “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 2:18). Grace transforms our desires, motivations, and behavior.

In fact, God’s grace grounds and empowers everything in the Christian life.

The Biblical Meaning of Grace

Grace is the basis for:

• Our Christian identity: “By the grace of God I am what I am.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)
• Our standing before God: “this grace in which we stand.” (Romans 5:2)
• Our behavior: “We behaved in the world … by the grace of God.” (2 Corinthians 2:12)
• Our living: those who receive “the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ,”(Romans 5:17) by the “grace of life.” (1 Peter 1:7)
• Our holiness: God“called us to a holy calling … because of his own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 2:9)
• Our strength for living: “Be strengthened by the grace that is in Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:1), for “it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace.” (Hebrews 13:9)
• Our way of speaking: “Let your speech always be gracious.” (Colossians 4:6)
• Our serving: “serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 1:10)
• Our sufficiency: “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 2:9). “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 2:8)
• Our response to difficulty and suffering: We get “grace to help in time of need,” (Hebrews 4:16) and when “you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace…will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 1:10)
• Our participation in God’s mission: As recipients of grace, we are privileged to serve as agents of grace. Believers receive grace (Acts 11:23), are encouraged to continue in grace (Acts 13:43), and are called to testify to the grace of God (Acts 20:24). Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). God’s mission is to the entire world.
• Our future: God and His grace, is everlasting. “Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13)
• Our hope beyond death: “grace [reigns] through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:21)

Summary of God’s Grace

The gospel is all about God’s grace through Jesus Christ. That’s why Paul calls it “the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) and “the word of his grace” (Acts 14:3).

The gospel of the grace of God is the message everyone needs. The word of grace is proclaimed from every page of the Bible and ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ. The last verse of the Bible summarizes the message from Genesis to Revelation: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all” (Revelation 22:21). Through Jesus, “we have all received grace upon grace” (John 1:16)—the gratuitous and undomesticated grace of God.

Here are 15 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know By Heart for you to download or share with loved ones!

Short Prayer for Grace

O Lord Jesus, grant us your grace and give us time for repentance.

We want to keep your commandments and do your bidding, choose the better part and no longer follow evil.

Give us your strength to do this, O loving Savior, for your name’s sake. Amen.

Source: Dan Jeremy, 12th Century

Justin Holcomb is an Episcopal priest and teaches theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary. Justin wrote On the Grace of God and co-authored with his wife Lindsey Rid of My Disgrace and Save Me from Violence. He is also the editor of Christian Theologies of Scripture. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and at JustinHolcomb.com.

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Peter Miranda