05/05/2026
Understanding the nature and character of God necessitates an examination rooted in God Himself. In contemporary exegesis, interpretation often involves a divided methodology. For instance, consider the term "grace." The construction of a sermon typically entails thorough word studies and detailed explanations of essential terms and phrases, aiming to provide clarity to New Testament passages.
When we encounter phrases in Scripture, such as those used by the Apostle Paul—specifically, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”—our process of exegesis usually begins by identifying the key term, “grace”. The first step is to consult a lexicon to determine the meaning of “grace”. Once we have established its definition, we revisit the phrase and consider how this meaning applies to Jesus Christ.
However, it is important to recognise that lexicons frequently draw upon interpretations rooted in ancient Greek culture. These meanings, shaped by Greek cultural and mythical perspectives, are often at odds with Hebrew thought. In the classical context, it is a detached emanation that flows out from ‘god.’ It portrays a power of ‘god’ that is granted according to what is given to him, that is, repeated petitions, upright behaviour, offerings etc. Consequently, when we adopt these interpretations and apply them to God, we risk incorporating ideas that are foreign to the original Hebraic context of Scripture.
When Paul says, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ἡ χάρις τοῦ Κυρίο ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ) the key part of the phrase is not grace (χάρις). It is “Jesus Christ.” Instead of “grace” describing and defining Jesus Christ, it is Jesus Christ defining, in His own Person and work, “grace”. The way the ancient Greek language is structured "charis" is the nominative, the subject, and the Lord Jesus Christ is in the genitive, the origin. In the case of the phrase above, grace is what comes out of the Being of Jesus Christ. It is Personal, that is, grace is the Person. When we say, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,” it is grace according to what we witness of the holy God in His loving-kind speaking and action towards us. Essentially, it is God showing up in Person, standing with and for us, and personally giving us the gift of God, which is God Himself. In addition, we are provided with a window that reaches into the heart of the Trinity. When we see Jesus Christ, we see the loving-kindness of the whole Trinity. That is grace!