And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will.
Grace has been put forth by some as the most important aspect of Christian life. Whole church administrations have carried the name “Grace Church” for example. For me it was just a word that I did not understand. Many teachers and preachers focused on grace and put forth doctrine that was difficult for me to comprehend. It is only now that I am focusing on grace because what I craved from the beginning was love.
International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia
Grace:
gras:
In the English New Testament the word “grace” is always a translation of (charis), a word that occurs in the Greek text something over 170 times (the reading is uncertain in places). In secular Greek of all periods it is also a very common word, and in both Biblical and secular Greek it is used with far more meanings than can be represented by any one term in English Primarily
Naturally, the various meanings of the word were simply taken over from ordinary language by the New Testament writers. And so it is quite illegitimate to try to construct on the basis of all the occurrences of the word a single doctrine that will account for all the various usages. That one word could express both “charm of speech” and “thankfulness for blessings” was doubtless felt to be a mere accident, if it was thought of at all.
These sentiments were found in my studies and I must admit they appear to resonate in my mind as thoughts of my own about grace.
But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.
Perhaps grace is for the best part an appearance of who we are in Christ that is genuine, not fake or put on. This comment brings to mind what Jesus said about those who liked to put on the robes that identified them as being pious without them actually having to be pious.
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Grace in both word and deed because what good does our words do if our actions belie the truth that is in us. To glorify Christ we must have both. Grace more than anything perhaps needs to be a reflection of Christ not us. That is a complicated concept.