John 1:16-17

1:16 For we have all received from his fullness one gracious gift after another. ¹  1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but ²  grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:11

2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. ³ 

Hebrews 4:16

4:16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help. ⁴ 

Hebrews 4:1

God’s Promised Rest

4:1 Therefore we must be wary ⁵  that, while the promise of entering his rest remains open, none of you may seem to have come short of it.

Hebrews 5:10

5:10 and he was designated ⁶  by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek. ⁷ 

¹ tn Grk “for from his fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” The meaning of the phrase χάριν ἀντὶ χάριτος (carin anti carito") could be: (1) love (grace) under the New Covenant in place of love (grace) under the Sinai Covenant, thus replacement; (2) grace “on top of” grace, thus accumulation; (3) grace corresponding to grace, thus correspondence. The most commonly held view is (2) in one sense or another, and this is probably the best explanation. This sense is supported by a fairly well-known use in Philo, Posterity 43 (145). Morna D. Hooker suggested that Exod 33:13 provides the background for this expression: “Now therefore, I pray you, if I have found χάρις (LXX) in your sight, let me know your ways, that I may know you, so that I may find χάρις (LXX) in your sight.” Hooker proposed that it is this idea of favor given to one who has already received favor which lies behind 1:16, and this seems very probable as a good explanation of the meaning of the phrase (“The Johannine Prologue and the Messianic Secret,” NTS 21 [1974/75]: 53).

² tn “But” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the implied contrast between the Mosaic law and grace through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 seems to indicate clearly that the Old Covenant (Sinai) was being contrasted with the New. In Jewish sources the Law was regarded as a gift from God (Josephus, Ant. 3.8.10 [3.223]; Pirqe Avot 1.1; Sifre Deut 31:4 §305). Further information can be found in T. F. Glasson, Moses in the Fourth Gospel (SBT).

³ tn Grk “all men”; but ἀνθρώποις (anqrwpois) is generic here, referring to both men and women.

⁴ tn Grk “for timely help.”

⁵ tn Grk “let us fear.”

⁶ tn Grk “having been designated,” continuing the thought of Heb 5:9.

⁷ sn The phrase in the order of Melchizedek picks up the quotation from Ps 110:4 in Heb 5:6.