GRACE OVER LAW

JOHN 1:16-17

VERSE 16 says “and from his fullness we have received grace upon grace.”

Fulness here means; ‘that which fills up/ full measure/ entire content.’ [Mounce reverse-interlinear new testament].

Grace here is from the Greek word ‘Charis’ which means; ‘Pleasing show/ charm/ beauty/ gracefulness/ a pleasing circumstance/ matter of approval.’ [Mounce reverse-interlinear new testament].

And, ‘Charm, Beauty, nature, human creativity, fertility, goodness.’ [Wikepedia].

In Hebrew it is taken from the word ‘Chen’ which means; ‘to bend or stoop in kindness to another as a superior to an inferior.’ [Wikibooks].

Verse 17 says “for the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Law here is from the Greek word ‘Nomos’ which means;  A law,  [Mounce reverse-interlinear new testament]. ‘Provisional codes (habits or customs)/ order valid and binding on those who fall under its jurisdiction.’ [Glosbe.com].

In Hebrew it means ‘the body of the law, especially that governing human behaviour. The principles of sin and death.’ [Glosbe.com].

So, as I understand it, it reads,

For from his full measure and entire content, we have received a pleasing show from God, who has stooped down in kindness and who has given us charm, beauty, gracefulness, a pleasing circumstance, a matter of approval, nature, creativity, fertility, goodness.

For as ‘A law, provisional codes (habits or customs) and an order valid and binding on those who fall under its jurisdiction’ was given through Moses, all the good things named above plus truth came through Jesus Christ.

In other words, Grace overcame Law.

Because the Lord has made a new covenant with the people of Israel where he ‘will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more.’ (Jeremiah 31:33-35). When we accept Christ, we become co-heirs with the Jews because Jesus said, ‘I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.’  (John 10:15-17, & 10:27). (see also Acts 11:17-19). This also applies to us.

When God is talking about his wisdom, he says, ‘To you O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.’ (proverbs 8:4).

And in his revelation to John, Jesus says, ‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person and they with me.’ (Rev. 3:20).

By calling it a ‘new’ covenant, he has made the first one obsolete..’ (Hebrews 8:11-13).

 So, in short.

God’s grace through Jesus Christ overthrew the Law given to Moses in that, through the law, we should expect punishment for those things we have thought, said and done which are not from God, (and when you know God, you understand how far we are from his ways). 

Instead, God sent his Son to take all the punishments we deserve onto his body, so that we are completely forgiven.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6).

He is standing at the door of your spirit, knocking and waiting for you to let him in and receive all the blessings of grace given to us freely  from God through his Son.

As Jesus often said, ‘Anyone who has ears – let them hear!’

This is how I understand my God.

Read for yourself, see what you think.