Study of the Word Grace - Assignment Example

? Interpretive Exercise s Submitted by: 7 October Word Count 000 BIB230A-ON25 Fall Interpreting the Bible Re: Grasping God’s Word Textbook, Chapter 9: WORD STUDIES Assignment 9-2, Pp. 185-86. Step-by-Step Instructions by Jacki Soister, 10/1/12 Introduction The word “grace” was looked up from the passage of Ephesians 2:1-10 since it is the word that appeared the most (3 times) within the passage. In the King James Version, grace is utilized approximately 156 times, and is used in the Bible 130 times to mean the same word, grace; whereas, in other usages, favor is used 6 times and thanks or thank 8 times.1 The Word ‘Grace’: A Word Study The number associated with the word “grace” is 2192. There are several different ways that the word is translated. It can be translated meaning benefit or bounty—as when someone prays, etc. Grace can be an expression of thanks—whether for benefits, services, or favors. Grace can also mean some type of recompense or reward for having done a very good job. Another way in which grace could be used would be to talk about the actual token or proof or benefit that grace provides. Of course, grace could also mean the spiritual condition in which one finds oneself where one is guided by the power of divine grace. Grace can also mean those things which are they themselves due to grace having been part of their lives. Grace is also known as an exercising of the Christian virtues. Grace keeps one. Grace strengthens one. Grace is supposed to increase us in the Christian faith; grace is supposed to undergird our knowledge and inform our affections, kindling us to do good works. Of course, in this passage to the Ephesians, Paul is making an exhortation that we not only take the grace that has been bestowed upon us by Christ, but this is a call to action helping everyone realize that we are not to take that grace for granted as Christians. Grace affords us joy. It gives us pleasing moments and moments of delight, sweetness, loveliness, and of course charm. The way Christians act should be undergirded by graceful speech, with goodwill, lovingkindness, and a favor that we can extend to others by simply making a pathway to lead a gracious life, thankful for all that we have and all that we are and all that we do. Matching Up Meanings and Translations The question could then be raised, “Does the author’s argument in the book suggest a meaning?”2 For, living the Christian life is not just about being a poser saying that one loves Jesus. Because, ultimately, it is not merely enough to declare that one has been absolved of all sins and then go out and do whatever one wants. One must live a life that is pleasing to God in any and all aspects of our lives. Next we had to match up these meanings and translations with the Scripture verses in which each appears. It was quite extensive, but basically we saw the same pattern reoccurring over and over again. It has been said that mercy is not getting something you deserve, while grace is getting something that you don’t deserve. It’s important to know the difference. As has been aforementioned, there are a great wide variety of meanings that have come to be associated with what grace is—as well as what grace is not. “By faith are ye saved by grace” is one of the calling cards of the New Testament in Ephesians 2:8a, from the King James Version. Grace comes from the Greek root “charis,” and lends itself to the word charity, which does not just mean handouts being given to a bum out on the street—but charis is also the root word for charity, which also can mean “love.” Colossians 3:16 in the King James Version also states, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”3 In this case, grace most definitely appears to mean ‘love.’ But, as it may come as no surprise that Paul also wrote this Letter to the Colossians, he is definitely weaving a thread of meaning here throughout the entire text of Ephesians which ties in to what he said in verses one through ten of the second chapter. Further Development of Eph. 2:1-10 Obviously, the thread of the text of Ephesians 2:1-10 is a further development on chapter 1 of Ephesians, where he wrote about the plan and multi-faceted purposes of God. This capitulated within the governance of Christ himself, all of which is meant to be for His praise. Paul continues to explain the method (given in steps) by which God will exert his authority in order to fulfill the multiple purposes he has tried to implement on earth. Primarily, the chief goal is to help people see that they are saved by grace through faith. So one must have faith, and just cannot rely upon grace alone, as one sees. In Colossians, literally the NIV talks about having gratitude, or thanks. Of course, love could be seen as a form of gratitude because one who cares about someone is also thankful for that person. That is another alternate way of viewing that meaning. In this passage, the author is trying to demonstrate that whatever Christians do, they have to do it with the love of God in mind. They have to know that everything they say and do has God’s rubber stamp on it, so they must act accordingly to ensure their actions and deeds and words are in line with the excellence and gracious name of Christ, in order not to tarnish the name of God. Conclusion That having been said, Christians most certainly have several ideals and standards to live up to—meaning, we cannot simply say whatever we want or do whatever we want. We have been redeemed. As Christians, therefore, we must remember the price of Christ’s blood, which was paid in full at the cross. It doesn’t take anything fancy to do what’s right. Remember the old adage that ‘a missionary is not one that crosses seas, but one who sees the cross,’ world without end. Amen. BIBLIOGRAPHY Duvall, J. Scott, and J. Daniel Hays. Grasping God's Word: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible. US: Zondervan, 2012. http://books.google.com/books?id=7cMmBIFq3koC&pg=PT269&lpg=PT269&dq=Does+the+author’s+argument+in+the+book+suggest+a+meaning&source=bl&ots=KzyE6D-sfE&sig=v-97loW-ZAt7jlhmyhSeNpLXpRY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OSpyULKGG-a_ygG4ioG4BA&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAQ (accessed October 7, 2012). Thayer, and Smith. “Greek Lexicon Entry for 'Charis.’” Bible Study Tools Dot Com. http://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/kjv/charis.html (accessed October 7, 2012). Read More