What Is Grace - The Study?
- Hadassah Z
- Sep 25
- 13 min read
The bible is full of "grace". Most of the encounters that I checked out in the Old Testament or the Tanak, had the definition similar to one finding favor among other people and perhaps even with animals. And of course at times we humans found favor with the LORD Himself. But I wanted to know if there is the difference between God's grace in the OT and Yeshua's grace. I wondered; did Yeshua claim this grace, or a form of it to be His grace? If so, is this grace of Yeshua's part of the package of weapons (2 Cor 10:4) given us by the Holy Spirit? These are some of the questions I had after looking into this word. Please be open-minded when reading my thoughts. I'm in no way trying to establish any kind of doctrine rather to recognize and use the powerful tools He gave us for the purpose of continuing to bring God's Kingdom to Earth. I figure if ha'satan can bring in his evil kingdom via the masses doing evil then I can do my part to bring God's Kingdom to Earth via doing good. The key to this whole humanity/fallen thing....the soul!
As I have been researching what the soul is and its role in my walk with Messiah, the entire Bible has opened up to an understanding I had never seen before. Understanding that the soul is the seat where our feeling, emotions and the force of our will reside; and then plugging these words in where appropriate, I now get so much more than before. When Jesus said to the man whom He had just healed in John ch 5 "Go and sin no more or something worse may happen to you", He was clarifying the connection between sin and our physical health. 3 John 1:2 says our physical health and material gain are directly connected to the condition of our souls, i.e. our emotions and feelings. Here we have two factors that affect our health and our monetary gains; sin and our soul. So for the sake of space in this blog post let's realize that sin effects our health and our health is in part, the outward evidence for the condition of our souls/feelings and emotions. This being said it is clear that we need to figure out how to effectively heal the destructive effects of sin on our souls in order to prosper in health and wealth. But this post is supposed to be about "grace"; and the grace of Yeshua/Jesus no less. So how are we to make connections here as to why the soul is even important. Here's what I've found:
We need to effectively pray for the soul!
We need to have the ability to effect the thoughts, feelings, emotions, desires, intentions, will and determination of ourselves and it would be nice to have this kind of power over others too. I believe that it is this "Grace" that Yeshua/Jesus gives with the Holy Spirit that effects this change in ourselves and others over whom we decree it. Job 22:28 says that we can decree a thing and establish it. So then we need a power that can be spoken from the mouth to evoke change over distance and time, right? (Psa 45:2) I know how crazy this sounds but I assure you will see the same thing upon further examination of the evidence. We need a strong powerful medicine to do this kind of work and God knew it. The book of Hebrews is all about how the blood that Yeshua shed did the one thing that the atoning blood of the animals just could not do. That was washing to away the sub-conscience memories of the effects of sin on our souls. You see, sin affects the condition of our feelings and emotions. And that is what Yeshua's blood does. It wipes away the sin that wounded us. And when we further combine this blood sacrifice with the miraculous dunamus power that raised Him from the cross and let me tell you; you now have the beginnings of a recipe to send the devil running! But I tell you it is only the beginning of the true identity of the power and effectiveness of these weapons of mystery given to us so long ago.
I understand this word, which in the Greek is used to describe what has been translated in English, to be “Grace”. My big fat question of the day is; is this one single word sufficient to describe what all it in fact, has attributed to it?
Even though some cases use the word as a salutation, imagine that it is being used as a verb and only in a very few cases is it actually just only being used as a salutation. When we speak this to ourselves, our thalamus thinks we are talking to it and takes the words as a prime directive as opposed to another’s voice and only receiving it as an option (according to Dr. Paul Hegstrom; Life Skills International).
(Prov 25:2)
What Grace?
Let's be very clear on our terms. It is important to look at different instances of these words because in translation over the years they have been arbitrarily interchange and severely at times, misinterpreted entirely. This is why we need to study the word thoroughly to see all of what God wants us to see. Please be blessed by and subscribe to Rock Island Books: My go-to resource hub for understanding the word of God deeper.
Take note in the video regarding the functionality of the meaning of the word and the functionality of the 'grace' that Yeshua offers. It, in essence does the exact thing, in spiritual realms, that the letters themselves allude to. This word describing YESHUA'S GRACE in the Greek, denotes a power that can divinely influence an individual’s heart, which by biblical definition is the seat of where our souls lay; which house the generation of our feelings and thoughts and the motor of our WILL and decision making realm. This divine influence can deposit behaviors and attitudes comparative with behooving emotions that manifest in ways such as, gratitude, acceptance of self and others, joy, pleasure, thanksgiving, etc... It is described as a power that is given denoting the idea of a gift. Perhaps it is a gift of the HS. Amazed ever after by my Adonai. Please follow up with these additional teachings on this word.
From Outline of Biblical Usage
It looks like Grace is a divine power (3a) that when spoken (Psa 45:2) as a decree (Job 22) may be responsible for the outward appearance of joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness in one’s life. It looks to have affects in speech (1a), in acts of good will and loving-kindness, drawing favor to be shed upon us (2). This power exerts God’s Holy influence over the governance (3a) of our feelings and emotions (3); it influences souls to turn to Christ, it keeps the soul in Christ, it strengthens the soul, increases faith, knowledge, the ability to display affection and to share these same virtues with others (2a). The outward appearance of the inward existence of the active operation of Grace on one’s life is the token or proof that this power is operating (3a, 3b, 3b1, 3b2).
Taking into consideration the understanding in this video of the word 'grace' and it's function, we can derive from it that it serves to protect or guard one’s life. If we apply biblical understanding to the word 'life' we can apply the word 'soul' and even 'blood' to an extent (but that is for another topic) and begin to see how these two fit together. When we are first born new of the Spirit of Yeshua we are told we have new 'life/soul' in Him. This grace seems to be used in a sense as to give us the power to exert Yahweh's Holy influence over those things that attempt to control our feelings and emotions. I don't see any limiting factors that would preclude this Holy influence from governing other people (lives/souls) who may be attempting to control a life/soul; be it from legitimate concern or more nefarious reasons. This would mean that there is no reason why it can't also influence souls of un-saved loved ones to turn to Yeshua as well. This power of grace seems to be able to keep our lives/souls firmly planted or grounded in Yeshua. I don't know about you but I am very encouraged by this tool. When arranged in a way that it can be applied and not just spoken as a kind thought for someone, this grace can strengthen our life/soul. It has the power to increase and build our faith and increase our knowledge (2 Pet 3:18): Even affording us the ability to display affection. And as though all this wasn't enough it strengthens our ability to share these same virtues with others. I can literally see how Yeshua's grace has the ability to cause the outward appearance of the inward existence of the active operation of Grace on one’s life to be the proof or token that this power is operating. I can see that at the moment a life/soul is born new, Yeshua's 'grace' would go to work to guard and apply all of the above usages like a fence or hedge keeping that new 'life/soul' strengthened, full of joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm and loveliness; even evidenced in speech. It compels a life/soul to engage more in acts of good will and loving-kindness, drawing favor to be shed upon them.
In some of these cases we see the word operating as a verb; an action coming from the will (the seat of the power of a soul); our will power becomes affected by feelings and emotions from the soul realm and directly affects our decision making processes. When we see and understand the will as the motor for the heart which is where the actions and words of a man come from; then we can begin to see how this grace affects our desires; creating a thought, then generating an action in the action center; resulting in the deeds of men. I think I'm getting this.....lol!
Grace seems to also fit into the category of an adjective describing “that”; a thing which has a form of mass without borders (I guess, for lack of better term); a thing that can be given, taken, spoken to, over, around, under, upon,, etc… and as a form of salutation can decree or confess as a power to their soul realm
But what I find to be the most important of the operations or functions of Yeshua's grace is how it affects the character and personality or rather the mind of a soul for whom it is being decreed. This is when the outward evidence of the grace of Yeshua becomes visible in the life of the individual of target.
Take a look below:
Luke 2:40 The child was growing, and was becoming strong in spirit, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Act 4:33 With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was on them all.
It seems “grace” is a “great power” that when poured out upon an individual it enhances their ability to testify to the power of the resurrection of Yeshua. As provided by the hyperlink to the word 'and' above you can follow that link to see just what verses support these different usages. You can substitute 'as'; 'and so'; 'because'; 'which'; 'which delivered'; 'for'; and 'wherein' among others.
But sticking with usages that support the context is what we are after here. It has also been used to say; 'no difference between'. But what was interesting is it's perfect, supporting usage in Acts 28:23 in the KJV version; it reads 'expounding and testifying' by way of 'powerful' 'persuasion'. This verse could very well be the proof text needed to support the claim but the others certainly help bring it home.
Act 28:23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Yeshua, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening.
From Strong's:
I also found the need to look into the word "And" in this passage just to see if we can make this grace a powerful weapon of our spiritual warfare given to us by the Holy 'spirit as in Acts 1:8. According to the Strong's usage and definitions, I can. And so I am going to claim this as a powerful great power for us to use to affect a divine influence upon hearts of men.
Just from these clips alone we can derive some inferences. This grace can affect our manner or rather how we act; it sounds like a power that can supersede our power i.e. our will power and infuses or transfers the will or mind of Yeshua. It seems to give it even greater power when it is used in a way to cast Yeshua’s divine influence on hearts therefore inferring that it has the power to change the way we think subsequently having a divine reflection in our lives that the bible so lovingly refers to as the "fruit" of the Spirit. Knowing that the soul is described as being seated in the heart; and the Word of God says that we think from our hearts then....? But are there scripture to back them up?
Jeremiah 17:10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Act 11:23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.
Who’s Grace?:
Is there any distinctions made in the Word to imply that there may be two different kinds of 'grace'? Does the Word indicate who this power called “grace” belongs to; who is responsible for what it is and what it does?
From Ps 45:2 I find God's grace to be manifest as we all have thought of it all along; to bring favor or acceptance in the eyes of the Lord. But there is a certain distinction in the New Testament.
Just take a look:
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.
1Ti 1:14 The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 2:1 You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Sounds like this “grace” belongs to Yeshua. It sounds like it causes changes in us that results in greater faith as inward evidence for the love that is the outward expression. Sounds like you can get this “grace” in Yeshua and grow strong in it. I'm really beginning to like this Grace from Yeshua. How about you?
Perhaps this Word “grace” also became flesh. Perhaps this is just another deeper meaning of this verse….. Below are just some more passages that I found and had some thoughts about.
Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established;…
Rom 5:15 But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
Rom 12:6 Having gifts differing according to the grace( that was given to us, if prophecy, let’s prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;
I have included many more at the bottom of this post for you who are much more driven than I to dig a little deeper. I am confident in what I believe based on the research I am providing thus far.
Can the "Grace" of Yeshua be spoken over souls to exact change from souls?
As we look into this word and its usage in other verses we can see if this particular understanding of the word fits any of them. Is this “Grace” part of the anointed package of spiritual weapons given by the Holy Spirit that can be spoken over souls to exact change from souls? I believe this to be a prophetic word about this specific thing.
A possible proof text could be Ps 45:2 and reads:
Psa 45:2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee forever.
A prophecy about the Messiah and the description of a force that is to be spoken, as this “grace” is coming out of the mouth.
What is it good for?
2Co 12:9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
We know our weaknesses derive from wounded conditions in our souls. Looking into this word 'weakness' we find it's usage to include weakness in both body and soul. This is important to acknowledge. It sounds like He is calling it ‘His’ power and says it is ‘good medicine’ for our weaknesses; i.e. the wounds that have formed in our souls do to sins done to us, sins done by us or sins that we have been exposed to in the environment around us and physical, perhaps chronic conditions. It’s like…
His Grace is the power that is PERFECT for any and ALL weaknesses because of the NATURE of the power. In that this power has the power to infuse the power that is called our WILL with that power that is called His WILL…
“Grace”. And it is this power of infusion into our WILL that is not just sufficient but perfect for each and every issue that plagues the human condition.
Just for kicks I have included some information about the heart:
Mat 6:21 "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jer 31:33: “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” says Yahweh: I will put my law in their inward parts, and I will write it in their heart. I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Comments