Words are fascinating. In fact, there is an academic discipline known as ‘philology,’ the study of human language. ‘Philologists’ investigate and analyze the origin and use of words, and they distinguish between what a given word denotes—what it actually means—from what it connotes—how it is actually used. And there is one thing that the study of words reveals. Words are ever changing in terms of their connotation—their development and usage over time. Illustrations of this change, or progression, are in abundance. Just consider the terms ‘charity,’ ‘gay,’ ‘justice,’ or ‘marriage’ for example. Over time, our vocabulary undergoes a transformation, sometimes massively so! And this is true for words in the vocabulary of Christianity as well.

One example of this is the word ‘grace,’ the Greek word charis. In the early days of Christianity, the word ‘grace’ was used frequently on the streets of the Roman Empire to indicate favor, kindness, delight, or gratitude. One was considered ‘gracious’ when he did “something pleasant for someone,” or gratified them in some way (C. Brown, New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, 116). But as employed by first-century believers in Christ, this rather common word took on a whole new connotation. The authors of the New Testament reached back into the Old Testament to re-shape and re-define this word ‘grace’ in light of God’s dealings with sinful, undeserving humanity. In the hands of the Biblical authors, ‘grace’ referred to something more sublime and magnificent than any human mind could possibly comprehend! In fact, this simple word ‘grace’ could summarize the whole story of God’s saving initiative in the redemption of fallen sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son!

We encounter this word “grace” in 2 John 1:3, and there it is accompanied by two other important New Testament terms, “mercy,” and “peace.” Together these three ‘Christianized’ words (linked frequently in the New Testament) serve as the three blessings in the dictionary of salvation. On Sunday we will begin our look at each of these blessings, and we will seek to understand them as they are deployed in Scripture.

With regard to “grace,” I’m sure you recognize how this word has been re-defined in popular culture, and even in popular Evangelical culture. I think of this fact every time I hear John Newton’s hymn, ‘Amazing Grace,’ sung as the anthem of those who reject the claims of Christ, and have sought to re-craft Christianity into a religion of morality or social justice. In such a context, Biblical “grace” has come to mean ‘nice.’ But, as we will see, this is far removed from the New Testament witness to this blessed word.

So our task this week will be to recapture the wonder of this common term found in the lexicon of salvation. And as we do this, guided by Scripture itself, we will be filled with that same excitement and joy that characterized those who first came to know this amazing “grace” in the Person of our Redeemer and Lord.