Use these 9 Bible verses on grace to understand the beautiful gift you’ve been given and take your relationship with God to a deeper level.
What Does The Bible Say About Grace?
As Christians, we know we all sin. Big sins, little sins, and every kind of sin in between.
As a stubborn, feisty child, that was never a difficult lesson for me to learn in Sunday school. I was sinning plenty, even as a little girl!
What Is Grace In The Bible?
The definition of grace is “the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.”
Grace is this beautiful gift that God offers to people who have done absolutely nothing to deserve it.
It’s a kind of unconditional, relentless love that I have such a hard time wrapping my mind around.
Learning to accept God’s grace has been a lifelong learning experience for me (and, boy, am I still learning!).
Spending (a LOT) of time in Scripture, reading the verses, and, most especially, figuring out how to apply them to my life by taking my thoughts captive, has been the most impactful thing of all.
I’ve learned how to accept grace in all kinds of situations, from my weight loss journey to a more radical reliance on grace.
We all struggle. We all mess up. We all fail.
But God tells us that’s not the end of our story.
- Our God is a God who saves us from rock bottom, our Yehoshua.
- Our God is a God who forgives, our Yahweh Hessed.
- Our God is a God is a God of goodwill, loving-kindness, and merciful grace (charis is the Hebrew word that encompasses those wonderful things).
Read on to see 9 of the verses where they talk about grace in the Bible.
Bible Verses About Grace
1. John 1:16 – Grace Upon Grace
“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”
John 1:16
Grace upon grace.
It’s difficult to fathom that it’s a Divine gift that just keeps on coming!
It doesn’t depend on our performance, our goodness, or how many acts of service we’ve done that day.
There is nothing we can do to earn more grace than we’ve already been freely given.
2. Romans 4:16 – By Faith & Grace
“Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.”
Romans 4:16
This chapter of the Bible talks about Abraham being justified by faith.
Not by works, but by righteousness.
I’m a big rule follower and I think rules (or the “law”) are extremely important in guiding us toward proper, right behavior.
But it is never just about the law. Or the rules. Or the things you do.
It is only by God’s grace.
3. Romans 5:20 – Where Sin Increased, Grace Increased All The More
“The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,”
Romans 5:20
This is one of my favorite verses because it is a more tangible way for me to picture the infinite amount of grace God gives.
It’s a simple formula.
Did you sin? There’s more than enough grace to cover that.
Will you sin worse tomorrow? There’s still more than enough grace.
No matter how hard you try, you can’t out-sin grace.
4. Romans 11:6 – Unmerited Grace, Not Based On Works
“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.”
Romans 11:6
Grace cannot be earned. If it could, it wouldn’t be considered a free gift!
In my human mind, I have this assumption that to experience good things, you have to earn them.
Want to be rich? Then you better work hard.
Want to have a great marriage? Then you better invest the time, energy, and heart to always be improving your relationship.
But God’s thoughts are so much bigger than mine.
Grace wouldn’t be grace if you could earn it.
5. 2 Corinthians 4:15 – Grace Is An Overflow Of Thanksgiving
“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”
2 Corinthians 4:15
God’s grace is a powerful force.
Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, this grace we have been given is changing peoples’ hearts on a daily basis.
It comes with the best kind of warning label.
“May cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.”
6. 2 Corinthians 12:9 – My Grace Is Sufficient
“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.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
We were not made to be independent beings.
We were all created with unique strengths and weaknesses, meaning we simply can’t be the best at everything.
There was only one perfect man to ever live and He died on the cross.
Those pesky weaknesses that we try so hard to get rid of remind us that we need a Savior.
Christ’s grace is sufficient. His power is made perfect in weakness.
What a beautiful thing it is.
7. Ephesians 2:8 – By The Grace Of God You Have Been Saved
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—”
Ephesians 2:8
Have you learned to accept the gift of God’s grace?
Even when I know, logically, that I can’t earn it…I still try.
I desperately need this reminder daily.
I cannot save myself. You cannot save yourself. Nobody can.
His grace saved us through faith.
8. Colossians 4:6 – Grace-Filled Words
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Colossians 4:6
Let’s be honest, people don’t always deserve our patience and kind words.
But grace isn’t about doling out what each person deserves (if it was, I’d sure be in trouble!).
You have the opportunity to spread grace in this world with your words.
Love the unlovable.
Be kind to the insufferable.
No, they might not deserve it.
Do it anyway. (With healthy boundaries in your relationships, of course!)
9. 1 Peter 4:10 – Be A Faithful Steward Of God’s Grace
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10
How cool is this?
God equipped us when He created us to be able to live in
I’m a huge nerd when it comes to things like:
- spiritual gifts tests
- discovering your God-given talents and Living Your Strengths
- learning how to grow spiritually within the strengths of your Enneagram type
Discover your gifts.
Use your strengths.
Live your faith out loud!
These tools/strengths/gifts of ours may be practical and encouraging, but they are also a way for us to spread God’s grace in our service to others.
Rich
Thursday 7th of September 2023
Great teaching :) Grace gave me freedom! One of my favorite scriptures that God showed me His grace is Romans 5:8 " but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." What can a sinner do to deserve Christ dying for them? It was an undeserved gift of God..(Grace) Joseph Prince also has great teachings on the grace of God which totally changed my pastors ministry. God Bless
Amy
Wednesday 14th of April 2021
The same one is good - His grace is sufficient. So often we can feel like we need more of this or that, or that we are not doing enough or are enough.... but He has enough supply for our lack and our needs and our weaknesses.
Becky
Wednesday 21st of April 2021
So true!
Sarah
Wednesday 14th of April 2021
Grace upon grace...so beautiful and powerful. I needed this today.
Cheryl Macomber
Wednesday 14th of April 2021
They are all good, but my favorite right now is..."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.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9