GRACE
One of the most used terms in the Bible.
In the NT (gr. “charis”) it appears more than 170 times. It has different meanings. In plural it expresses gratitude.
(A) Attraction, charm:
“Grace was poured out on your lips” (Ps. 45:2);
“gracious gazelle” (Proverbs 5:19);
“grace is deceitful, beauty is vain” (Proverbs 31:30).
“He increased in wisdom and stature and in grace” (Lk. 2:52).
(B) Well-being, please: cp. the heb expression. so often, “to find favor in someone’s eyes” (Gen. 18:3; 33:10; 47:29; Acts 2:47; 7:10).
The Macedonian churches persistently asked for the privilege (grace) of being able to participate in the collection (2 Cor. 8:4).
“Let your word always be gracious” (Col. 4:6).
(C) Benefit, blessing:
“…all the truth (grace) that you have used toward your servant” (Gen. 32:10).
“Of his fullness we all take, and grace for grace” (John 1:16).
“Faithful mercies (graces) to David” (Acts 13:34).
“This grace was given to me” (Eph. 3:8).
“Every good gift (grace) and every perfect gift comes down from above” (James 1:17).
(D) Appreciation, expression of gratitude:
where do the expressions come from
“thanksgiving” (Lev. 3:1; Ps. 26:7; 2 Cor. 4:15; Col. 2:7; 1 Tim. 2:1, etc.)
and “give thanks” (Lk. 18:11; Jn. 11:41; Rom. 1:8; 2 Cor. 1:11, etc.).
The term “eucharist” applied to the meal refers precisely to the thanksgiving that Jesus began with (Lk. 22:17, 19; 1 Cor. 11:24).
The habit of “giving thanks at the beginning of a meal” is based on precise instructions and examples from Scripture (Mark 8:6; Luke 24:30; Acts 27:35; Rom. 14:6; 1 Cor. 10:30-31; 1 Tim. 4:4).
(E) The expression “Mary full of grace” comes from a translation error in the Vulgate in Luke. 1:28. In this passage the passive past participle of “charitoõ” appears, which means to receive with grace, to clothe with grace.
Reina-Valera translates “very favored.” The Roman Catholic versions, naturally; They follow the reading of the Vulgate. Cp. On the other hand, the same verb in Eph. 1:6: “her grace, by which she made us accepted in the Beloved.”
Furthermore, the angel continues to tell Mary: “You have found favor with God” (Luke 1:30), and she herself, in the song called Magnificat, says: “My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:47).
Thus, she was in need of grace and salvation, and she recognized it with joy and humility (which Jesus would never have done, cp. Jn. 8:46).
She is “blessed among women,” but it is contrary to Scripture to claim that she is immaculate, sinless, and the source of all graces.