Many are taught that we are “saved by grace”, often defined in Christian doctrine as unmerited favor. This interpretation implies that salvation is granted without repentance, obedience, or adherence to the commandments of YaHuWaH. But what does Scripture actually say? Is “grace” truly unearned, or is there more to the story?
Defining “Grace” in Hebrew and Greek
Hebrew: “Grace” in the Tanakh
H2580 – חֵן (chen)
Transliteration: chen
Phonetic: khane
Definition (Strong’s): Favor, grace, acceptance
BDB: Favor, graciousness, kindness, often found in the context of someone finding favor in the eyes of Elohim or man.
Root word: H2603 – חָנַן (chanan)
Verb: To show favor, be gracious
Definition (Strong’s): Be merciful, show mercy, have pity
Greek: “Grace” in the Brit Chadashah
G5485 – χάρις (charis)
Transliteration: charis
Phonetic: khar’-ece
Definition (Strong’s): Grace, kindness, favor
Thayer’s Lexicon:
Goodwill, loving-kindness, favor
“Of the merciful kindness by which Elohim, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Messiah, keeps, strengthens, increases them in belief…”
Often translated as: Grace, Favor, Thanks, Gift
Important: Nowhere in Strong’s or Thayer’s is “grace” defined as “unmerited favor.” That phrase is an interpretive assumption, not a lexical definition.
What Scripture Really Says About Favor/Grace
Favor Is Conditional on Obedience
Shemoth (Exodus) 20:5–6
“…visiting the crookedness of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing loving-commitment to thousands, to those who love Me and guard My commands.
H2617 – חֶסֶד (checed)
Phonetic: kheh’-sed
Definition: Kindness, mercy, favor, loyal love
BDB: Especially used in covenantal contexts, favor shown to those who KEEP the commandments.
Grace ≠ License to Sin
Some Christians teach that grace is a power to overcome sin, yet simultaneously claim that commandment-keeping is no longer required. This creates confusion and contradiction.
Yahuḏah (Jude) 1:4
“For certain men have slipped in, whose judgment was written about long ago, wicked ones perverting the favor of our Elohim for indecency, and denying the only Master YaHuWaH and our Master יהושע Messiah.
Grace without Torah becomes lawlessness.
Torah without grace becomes legalism.
The truth lies in both working together.
Favor Is Shown to Those Who Obey
Tehillim (Psalms) 111:7–10
“The works of His hands are truth and right-ruling, All His orders are trustworthy, They are upheld forever and ever, Performed in truth and straightness. He sent redemption to His people, He has commanded His covenant forever. Set-apart and awesome is His Name. The fear of YaHuWaH is the beginning of wisdom, All those doing them have a good understanding.
Here, redemption and favor are tied to obedience to the covenant (i.e., Torah).
Tehillim (Psalms) 130:7–8
“O Yisra’El, wait for YaHuWaH; For with YaHuWaH there is kindness, And with Him is much redemption, For He shall redeem Yisra’El From all his crookednesses.
Who is Yisra’El? Not a geographical location, but those who obey His commands. Favor and redemption are for His people, those doing His Word.
Distinction in Redemption
H6304 – פְּדוּת (peduth)
Transliteration: peduth
Definition: Ransom, distinction, deliverance, redemption
Favor is linked to redemption, but redemption involves a distinction. That distinction is based on obedience.
Is Favor Truly Unmerited?
If “grace” is unmerited, why does Scripture constantly show YaHuWaH extending it only to those who walk in His ways?
Ma‘asĕh (Acts) 10:34
“And opening his mouth, Kĕpha said, ‘Truly I see that Elohim shows no partiality.
If Elohim shows no partiality, why doesn’t everyone automatically receive “grace” without conditions?
Examples of Favor in the Tanakh
Berĕshith (Genesis) 6:8
“But Noaḥ found favour in the eyes of YaHuWaH.”
Noah’s favor wasn’t random, it came because he was “a righteous man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with Elohim” (v. 9).
Shemoth (Exodus) 33:13
“And now, please, if I have found favour in Your eyes, please show me Your way, and let me know You, so that I find favour in Your eyes. And consider that this nation is Your people.
Mosheh links favor with knowing and walking in YaHuWaH’s way, His Torah.
Favor in the Brit Chadashah
Eph’siyim (Ephesians) 2:8–10
“For by favour you have been saved, through belief, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of Elohim, it is not by works, so that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yahusha unto good works, which Elohim prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
“Not by works” refers to our own righteousness, not the rejection of Torah. Verse 10 immediately corrects any misunderstanding: We are created to walk in good works, which refers to Torah obedience.
Shemoth (Exodus) 34:9
“And said, ‘If now I have found favour in Your eyes, O YaHuWaH, I pray, let יהוה go in our midst, even though we are a stiff-necked people. And forgive our crookedness and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance.’
Favor, grace, and mercy in Scripture are consistently shown to be linked to repentance, obedience, and covenant faithfulness.
Titos (Titus) 2:11–12
“For the saving Gift of Elohim has appeared to all men, instructing us to renounce wickedness and worldly lusts, and to live sensibly, righteously, and reverently in the present age.
Grace (tov/chen/charis) is favor, often earned through obedience.
Mercy (checed/chanan) is loyal love, especially toward those in covenant.
Nowhere does Scripture define grace as “unmerited favor.”
Favor is shown to those who repent, walk in His commands, and fear YaHuWaH.
Redemption is given to His people, those who do His will.
Tehillim (Psalms) 84:11
“For יהוה Elohim is a sun and a shield; יהוה gives favour and esteem; He withholds no good from those who walk blamelessly.
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