Grace is God's unearned, undeserved favor. Because we could not save ourselves, God freely gave us in Christ what we did not deserve: forgiveness, righteousness, and adoption. Grace is why the gospel is a gift.
Not a summary of these passages: the passages themselves. Read them, then come back to the study below.
The study
What the Scripture says
1
Grace is unearned favor
'By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.' Paul adds: if it is by grace, it is no longer of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. A gift that can be earned is not a gift.
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as something owed.Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
We had all sinned and fallen short, yet we are 'justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.' Grace runs to the undeserving, almost shockingly: the prodigal's father runs and embraces him while he is still a long way off.
for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
“He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
'The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all.' Grace is embodied in Jesus, who came full of grace and truth, and it is the power that sustains us: 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' It saves, and it keeps.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
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.And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
'Where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly: that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life.' Grace is not the license to sin; it is the power that frees us from sin's reign.
The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly; that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer?What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world;Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
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.And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.