Grace: Myth and Mythology (Ephesians 1:2)

GRACE & PEACE

In Ephesians 1:2 the words grace and peace appear, forming part of the introduction of the book, to those Saints in Ephesus, joined in covenant to God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, the scripture says that both grace and peace come from; originate from; or, are sourced in God, the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The two Greek words are (charis), 5485, [Strong's], translated "grace", or "favor", and (eirene), 1515, [Strong's], translated as "peace".

CHARIS

In Greek mythology, Charis was the exceedingly beautiful wife of Hephaestos. The Graces were the creators of, and those who bestowed, charm.

ATTRACTIVE

Originally, (Charis) had the idea of 'something that was attractive or pleasing to the senses', whether an artistic creation; "gracious" speech; or a beautifully appealing person. It was that which emitted the emotion of joy and pleasure, in the hearers or beholders.

THE OBJECT

Eventually, the word developed the meaning of not just the emotion of joy or pleasure, derived from the object, but 'referred to the object itself, as being gracious'. This meaning eventually developed to encompass those, who, by their actions, caused joy; pleasure; loveliness; or benefit, of some form, to others.

UNDESERVED

Over time, (Charis) became 'an act that was bestowed upon another, without any merit demanding the action'. In other words, it was totally 'undeserved, and unmerited' by the recipient.

RESULTS

Some important aspects of this action, was that:

1) there was no expectation of return

2) it was always a greater to a lesser

3) it was always to a friend, never to an enemy

4) the action increased the capacity or ability of the recipient to a greater degree

FIND FAVOR

The English word "grace", is actually from the Latin (gratia), "to grant a favor", and brings to bear 'the legal sense of partiality towards another'. [The OT repeatedly describes this with the terminology, "to find favor" in someone's eyes].

FREELY DONE

There is also the English word "gratuity", in the sense of tipping a waitress or waiter, for services, and though now there is sometimes a sense of obligation to do so, originally, tipping was freely done, increasing the earnings of the server, under no compulsion.

MERCY ??

Our religious terminology has limited the definition of "grace", to unmerited favor, but failed to adequately bring true meaning to the word. In fact, the overwhelming messages on "grace", do not refer to "grace" at all, or (charis), but are more descriptive of God's mercy.

IMPARTING

(Charis) also has the interesting quality of 'imparting into the recipient' not only an increase in benefit; ability; resources; but the strong desire, though not required by the giver, to return, in measure, as though indebted, by the act of love.

DEFINED by COVENANT

To fully understand (charis) we must understand, that both "grace" and "peace", are words that are ultimately defined by covenant. God, our Father, enabled us, through Jesus Christ, to enter into a covenant relationship with Him, by accepting the blood sacrifice of His Son. Abraham believed that God would do what He said He would do, and offered up his son Isaac. God, in return, fulfilled His obligation to Abraham, and offered up His Son, Jesus.

ENABLING POWER

Since we enter into the covenant, made by God, with Abraham, we are recipients of His ability (charis), to bring us into all the promises and commitments of the covenant, and "peace", is the result of that 'enabling power' (charis), imparted to us.

OVERWHELMING GRATITUDE

It is the most amazing fact, that God, in His love toward us, grants us this enablement, and the Spirit of God, within us, compels us to service, out of an overwhelming gratitude, undescriptive of words.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours