Modern Summary of Abbott-Smith’s Lexicon (1922)
The word "χάρις" (charis) primarily refers to grace, favor, or kindness. It can describe attractiveness or graciousness in appearance or speech, as well as goodwill or favor shown by a giver, often emphasizing its free and universal nature. Additionally, it can signify gratitude or thankfulness from the receiver, a state of being under grace, or a specific gift or proof of grace.
grace; the unmerited favor of God
The Greek word charis fundamentally means "grace; the unmerited favor of God." It is translated in the KJV as "acceptable", "benefit", "favour", "gift", reflecting its range of use in Scripture.
Acts as a root form within the "from G5463 (χαίρω);" word family, giving rise to related terms across Scripture.
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
In the New Testament, charis appears in passages such as John 1:14. The variety of contexts in which charis appears reveals that its meaning is not confined to a single usage but expands across different literary and theological settings.
Words derived from this root include χάρισμα (charisma). Its Hebrew parallel is חֵן (chên), revealing shared conceptual ground across the biblical languages. Thematically connected words include ἀγάπη (agapē), חֵסֵד (chêçêd).
The semantic range of charis — spanning meanings like acceptable, benefit, favour — suggests a word whose full significance cannot be captured by a single English term. As part of the "from G5463 (χαίρω);" word family, this term connects to a broader network of related concepts in biblical thought.
Compare with chên
See how charis and chên relate across languages
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Grace and Covenant Mercy study
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Lexical data derived from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. See full disclaimer
Word DNA
Origin
This word acts as a root form.
Word Family
from G5463 (χαίρω);Family Forms
Key Connections
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Meaning Layers
This word carries distinct senses across different contexts.
How This Word Behaves
Selected distinct patterns of usage found in Scripture.
Scripture Occurrences
Selected verses where this word appears in the KJV.
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
"Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,"
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Connection Map
Nearest neighbors in the lexical network.
Compare This Word
Explore how charis relates to similar or contrasting biblical words.
חֵן
chên
graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
חֵסֵד
chêçêd
kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
ἀγάπη
agapē
love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
Love, Grace & Mercy Cluster
Words that share the same theological orbit.
Continue Exploring
Follow the thread — discover connected words and concepts.
חֵסֵד
chêçêd
kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
ἀγάπη
agapē
love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
חֵן
chên
graciousness, i.e. subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
χάρισμα
charisma
a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty
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