Bible Verses About Grace: Understanding God's Unmerited Favor
God's unmerited favor and mercy toward us
Grace is one of the most theologically significant words in the New Testament. The Greek charis carries the meaning of gift, favor, and beauty — something given freely without being earned. Ephesians 2:8-9 provides the clearest summary: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast." Grace is the term that distinguishes Christianity from every performance-based religion: salvation is not earned but given.
Exodus 3:21
I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and it will happen that when you go, you shall not go empty-handed.
Read commentary →Judges 6:17
He said to him, "If now I have found favor in your sight, then show me a sign that it is you who talk with me.
Read commentary →Ruth 2:2
Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Let me now go to the field, and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall find favor." She said to her, "Go, my daughter."
Read commentary →Ruth 2:10
Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, since I am a foreigner?"
Read commentary →Ruth 2:13
Then she said, "Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken kindly to your handmaid, though I am not as one of your handmaidens."
Read commentary →1 Kings 1:18
Now, behold, Adonijah reigns; and you, my lord the king, do not know it.
Read commentary →1 Kings 9:3
The Lord said to him, "I have heard your prayer and your supplication, that you have made before me. I have made this house holy, which you have built, to put my name there forever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually.
Read commentary →2 Kings 1:13
Again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. The third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, and said to him, "Man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty your servants, be precious in your sight.
Read commentary →1 Kings 8:33
"When your people Israel are struck down before the enemy, because they have sinned against you; if they turn again to you, and confess your name, and pray and make supplication to you in this house:
Read commentary →1 Kings 8:47
yet if they shall repent in the land where they are carried captive, and turn again, and make supplication to you in the land of those who carried them captive, saying, 'We have sinned, and have done perversely; we have dealt wickedly;'
Read commentary →1 Kings 8:59
Let these my words, with which I have made supplication before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel, as every day shall require;
Read commentary →2 Chronicles 6:24
"If your people Israel be struck down before the enemy, because they have sinned against you, and shall turn again and confess your name, and pray and make supplication before you in this house;
Read commentary →Ezra 9:8
Now for a little moment grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
Read commentary →Esther 2:15
Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, came to go in to the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's eunuch, the keeper of the women, advised. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all those who looked at her.
Read commentary →Esther 2:17
The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained favor and kindness in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown on her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
Read commentary →Esther 4:8
He also gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given out in Shushan to destroy them, to show it to Esther, and to declare it to her, and to urge her to go in to the king, to make supplication to him, and to make request before him, for her people.
Read commentary →Esther 5:2
When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near, and touched the top of the scepter.
Read commentary →Esther 7:3
Then Esther the queen answered, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.
Read commentary →Esther 8:3
Esther spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and begged him with tears to put away the evil of Haman the Agagite, and his plot that he had devised against the Jews.
Read commentary →Psalms 4:2
You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.
Read commentary →Psalms 9:14
that I may show forth all your praise. In the gates of the daughter of Zion, I will rejoice in your salvation.
Read commentary →Proverbs 3:34
Surely he is scornful to scoffers, but he gives grace to the humble.
Read commentary →Proverbs 4:9
She will give to your head a garland of grace. She will deliver a crown of splendor to you."
Read commentary →Proverbs 4:27
Do not turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
Read commentary →Proverbs 5:19
A loving doe and a graceful deer- let her breasts satisfy you at all times. Be captivated always with her love.
Read commentary →Proverbs 8:6
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
Read commentary →Proverbs 8:8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
Read commentary →Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil. I hate pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth.
Read commentary →Proverbs 8:24
When there were no depths, I was brought forth, when there were no springs abounding with water.
Read commentary →Proverbs 9:3
She has sent out her maidens. She cries from the highest places of the city:
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:11
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
Read commentary →Isaiah 1:16
Wash yourselves, make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil.
Read commentary →Isaiah 6:8
I heard the Lord's voice, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am. Send me!"
Read commentary →Isaiah 7:15
He shall eat butter and honey when he knows to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
Read commentary →Isaiah 8:4
For before the child knows how to say, 'My father,' and, 'My mother,' the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be carried away by the king of Assyria."
Read commentary →Isaiah 9:11
Therefore the Lord will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies,
Read commentary →Lamentations 4:16
The Lord himself has scattered them; he will no more regard them. They did not respect the priests, they did not favor the elders.
Read commentary →Amos 5:15
Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the courts. It may be that the Lord, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph."
Read commentary →Zechariah 4:7
Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you are a plain; and he will bring out the capstone with shouts of 'Grace, grace, to it!'"
Read commentary →Malachi 1:9
"Now, please entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With this, will he accept any of you?" says the Lord of hosts.
Read commentary →Matthew 2:10
And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
Read commentary →Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but the one who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Read commentary →Matthew 3:14
But John would have hindered him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?"
Read commentary →Matthew 3:16
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him.
Read commentary →Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Read commentary →Matthew 4:12
Now when he heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee.
Read commentary →Matthew 4:17
From that time, Jesus began to proclaim, and to say, "Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is near."
Read commentary →Matthew 4:23
And he went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.
Read commentary →Matthew 4:24
And the report about him went out into all Syria, and they brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them.
Read commentary →Matthew 5:13
"You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
Read commentary →Matthew 5:37
But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
Read commentary →Matthew 6:10
Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Read commentary →Matthew 7:3
And why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider the log that is in your own eye?
Read commentary →Matthew 7:7
"Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
Read commentary →Matthew 7:28
And it happened, when Jesus had finished saying these things, that the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
Read commentary →Matthew 8:29
And behold, they shouted, saying, "What do we have to do with you, Jesus, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?"
Read commentary →Matthew 9:36
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd.
Read commentary →Mark 1:14
Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God,
Read commentary →Mark 2:2
And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them.
Read commentary →Mark 2:5
Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."
Read commentary →Mark 3:4
He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?" But they were silent.
Read commentary →Mark 3:11
The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him, and shouted, "You are the Son of God!"
Read commentary →Mark 4:20
But those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times."
Read commentary →Mark 6:34
And he came out, saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.
Read commentary →Mark 7:4
They do not eat when they come from the marketplace, unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things, which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, and bronze vessels.)
Read commentary →Mark 7:9
He said to them, "Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
Read commentary →Mark 7:28
But she answered him, "Yes, Sir. Yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."
Read commentary →Mark 8:7
They had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also.
Read commentary →Mark 9:2
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, Jacob, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them.
Read commentary →Mark 9:7
A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."
Read commentary →Mark 9:24
Immediately the father of the child exclaimed, "I believe. Help my unbelief!"
Read commentary →Mark 9:50
Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
Read commentary →Luke 1:32
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David,
Read commentary →Luke 1:76
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to make ready his ways,
Read commentary →Luke 2:10
The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.
Read commentary →Luke 2:40
The child was growing, and was becoming strong, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Read commentary →Luke 2:52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Read commentary →Luke 4:1
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness
Read commentary →Luke 4:14
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and news about him spread through all the surrounding area.
Read commentary →Luke 4:22
All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?"
Read commentary →Luke 6:9
Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to destroy it?"
Read commentary →Luke 6:21
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Read commentary →Luke 6:41
And why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider the log that is in your own eye?
Read commentary →Luke 6:45
The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.
Read commentary →Luke 7:26
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.
Read commentary →Luke 7:28
"For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John, yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he."
Read commentary →Luke 7:30
But the Pharisees and the Law scholars rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.
Read commentary →Luke 7:47
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
Read commentary →Luke 8:1
It happened soon afterwards, that he went about through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the Kingdom of God. With him were the twelve,
Read commentary →Luke 8:15
That in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Read commentary →Luke 8:21
But he answered them, "My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God, and do it."
Read commentary →Luke 9:11
But the multitudes, perceiving it, followed him. He welcomed them, and spoke to them of the Kingdom of God, and he cured those who needed healing.
Read commentary →Luke 9:29
As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling.
Read commentary →Luke 9:32
Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him.
Read commentary →John 1:14
The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Read commentary →John 1:17
For the Law was given through Moses, grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
Read commentary →John 1:18
No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
Read commentary →John 1:49
Nathanael answered him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!"
Read commentary →John 2:11
This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Read commentary →John 2:22
When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
Read commentary →John 3:34
For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for he gives the Spirit without measure.
Read commentary →John 4:7
A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink."
Read commentary →John 4:10
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."
Read commentary →John 5:20
For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
Read commentary →John 5:26
For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself.
Read commentary →John 5:37
The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.
Read commentary →John 6:40
This is the will of my Father who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
Read commentary →John 6:46
Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God. He has seen the Father.
Read commentary →John 6:51
I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."
Read commentary →John 6:57
As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of me.
Read commentary →John 6:65
He said, "For this cause have I said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by the Father."
Read commentary →John 7:19
Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet none of you keeps the Law? Why do you seek to kill me?"
Read commentary →John 7:30
They sought therefore to take him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.
Read commentary →John 7:35
The Jewish leaders therefore said among themselves, "Where will this man go that we won't find him? Will he go to the Diaspora among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
Read commentary →John 8:7
But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her."
Read commentary →John 8:14
Jesus answered them, "Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you do not know where I came from, or where I am going.
Read commentary →John 8:19
They said therefore to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also."
Read commentary →John 8:23
He said to them, "You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.
Read commentary →John 8:42
Therefore Jesus said to them, "If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I have not come of myself, but he sent me.
Read commentary →John 9:29
We know that God has spoken to Moses. But as for this man, we do not know where he comes from."
Read commentary →John 9:35
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
Read commentary →Romans 4:16
For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.
Read commentary →Romans 6:1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Read commentary →1 Corinthians 1:4
I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;
Read commentary →1 Corinthians 3:10
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.
Read commentary →2 Corinthians 4:15
For all things are for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.
Read commentary →2 Corinthians 8:1
Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia;
Read commentary →2 Corinthians 8:9
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.
Read commentary →2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
Read commentary →Galatians 2:21
I do not make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!"
Read commentary →Galatians 6:18
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Read commentary →Ephesians 1:2
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Read commentary →Ephesians 2:8
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Read commentary →Ephesians 3:8
To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Read commentary →Ephesians 4:7
But to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Read commentary →Ephesians 6:24
Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.
Read commentary →Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Read commentary →Colossians 4:18
The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you.
Read commentary →1 Timothy 1:14
The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Read commentary →2 Timothy 2:1
You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Read commentary →Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.
Read commentary →1 Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
Read commentary →2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Read commentary →2 John 1:3
Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father, and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Read commentary →Revelation 1:4
John, to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from him who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne;
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What is God's grace in the Bible?
Grace is God's unmerited, unearned favor toward humanity. Romans 5:8 captures this: 'But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.' Grace is not given because we deserve it — it is given because of God's character. The theological concept of 'common grace' refers to blessings God gives to all people regardless of belief; 'saving grace' is the work of the Holy Spirit that leads to salvation.
What does 'grace upon grace' mean in John 1:16?
'Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.' This phrase describes the inexhaustible supply of God's grace — not a single gift but a continuous overflow, one grace replaced by another in an unending sequence. John is saying that the grace believers receive is not depleted by use; it is constantly renewed from the fullness of Christ.