Course on Graceby Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. CONTENTS
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Posted on 06/02/2012 9:21:56 AM PDT by Salvation
Course on Graceby Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. CONTENTS
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Why do we have sacraments? To give us grace. But is grace the ultimate, the “end of the line?” Is it an end in itself, a gift of God which we are simply to have, a treasure just to be hoarded? No, grace is not just an ornament. It is that, but more; it is a marvelous reality that points and inclines us to something. To what? To the Beatific Vision, Love, Enjoyment (or Fruition – a word St. Thomas might prefer) of the Divine Essence and Persons. The end of grace is a sharing in the activity and happiness of God, in the Beatific Vision of the Divine Essence. In this almost incredible Vision, there will be no species, idea, thought between God and this inmost “me,” nothing created will intervene; the Divine Essence itself will be united to my mind as the quasi-species and the term of this Vision.
Benedict XII declared: “we define that the souls of the saints… behold the Divine Essence with intuitive vision, face to face, in such wise that nothing created intervenes as object of vision… and from this vision and enjoyment they are truly happy and have eternal life and rest.”
Happiness. Has the Beatific Vision been a motivating force in my life? There is a difficulty for many in seeing why the Beatific Vision will give eternal happiness, and a problem in giving a desire of it to youth. A child asked: Happiness? Just looking at God for all eternity? It is difficult to give others such a realization of the Beatific Vision that they desire it, that they want more than everything else to have God in this way and are willing to pay the price. Yet the Beatific Vision should be a powerful motivating force. We must let the idea grow more real and vivid within us, and then perhaps we can help others to realize it better.
All of us desire to be happy. We might sit down and think out the things that make us happy. Happiness comes to us in bits. Some may be caught by, lost in beauty, nature, art, music, love, color, companionship. But then they come to realize that all this is made, is finite, and therefore behind it there is something else: God has put the goodness, the beauty in each thing. Some happiness lasts just for a moment, some longer, to teach us that happiness may grow day by day, year after year.
If we ask children to draw up a list of things which make them happy – we may call them “happy-making” objects – each list will be different. These objects, of course, change with age. But this is one of the easiest ways of finding out what you are inside: by looking at the tendencies that are part of you. Your response can indicate the powers and tendencies in you. Happy-making objects may be graces – by which God draws you, builds you…
If we should stop in one of these happy-making objects, find one all-satisfactory, we know what God will do – especially to those of us in Religion: He will take it away, so that we may learn to find the unique and infinitely happy-making Object, God. He is the supremely Happy-Making Object. He has eminently and virtually all the “bits” of happiness we have had and loved. Here these happy-making objects have a function: to stretch and expand our mind, will, soul, so that God may come in more and more. Thus we grow in our capacity for the Beatific Vision.
All happiness in the world is a ray from the essence, the heart of God. All the rays of grace focus on the Beatific Vision. That is why we say that grace is pointing up: it points us towards the Heart of God, the essence of God – to be possessed in the Beatific Vision.
Deiformity. In order to enjoy fully, we must have, possess. Will the beauty, the perfection of God, will God be mine? Yes, I will not just be looking at God, I will be possessing God. But God possesses God by seeing the infinite, so if we do not see the infinite we do not see nor possess God. Shall we? Yes. And as God sees Himself? After the manner of the infinite? Yes, we shall see Him after the manner of the infinite, intuitively, facially, through the Divine Essence. But there must be a difference? God’s vision of God is infinite, ours will be finite. For God has a Light of Glory, so to speak, that is infinite, while the light of glory in us will be finite. There is always a limit, a measure to ours, but none to God’s; therefore our share in the Beatific Vision is according to this measured light of glory. The more sanctifying grace we have at death, the more light of glory we will get.
The expressions that we are “divinized,” “deified,” “deiform” refer in their fullest sense to this sharing the divine activity of the Beatific Vision. We shall then be supremely deiform, “like unto God,” doing what God does in the manner that God does it, but finitely, according to the finite degree of our light of glory. Where God has the Beatific Vision by His very nature, we will have it by grace, by gift of God. God’s aim for us is not to keep us down but to lift us up – as close to Him as we will let ourselves be drawn. The more we become like Christ, the more we become like God, deiform: “I am the Way – to the Heart of God.” In this Vision there will be nothing of God that we do not see, but we will not see Him infinitely, with the infinite clarity, intensity, profundity with which He sees Himself. But we shall really see intuitively and facially the divine essence, persons, attributes, and processions. We shall ecstatically contemplate with unceasing, unending fascination the Deity in its infinite purity and goodness, love and wisdom, beauty and majesty, power and sanctity – in the measure of our finite lumen gloriae. We shall be supremely active and alive!
The Key. The Beatific Vision is the key and explanation of most everything in the supernatural order. It was the reason for the Incarnation and the Redemption. Why did Christ come as man? Why the Sacraments? Why the Mass? Why Grace? Why the Church? That we might have the life and light of glory. “I am come that they may have Life and have it more abundantly.” We call Christ the Eternal Light, the Life of God. As members of His Mystical Body, as branches of His Vine, we share in the nature and activity of God. St. Augustine expressed it very strongly: “If God humbled Himself to become man, it was in order to make them gods” (Serm. 166). Christ took upon Himself our human nature that it might be made deiform, as like the divine nature as possible, having a share in the nature and activity of God. Christ died for all men, that all might be saved and reach the Beatific Vision. And Our Lady is Mediatrix of Graces to help men achieve this end.
We do not have the Beatific Vision here below. But many achieve a very high degree of knowledge of God. Some mystics even more. They “experience” God, the presence and activity of God. By mysterious spiritual “senses” they seem to sense the presence of God, feel the nearness and dearness and “touch” of Someone, of God, as we might experience the presence of someone in a mist. This is an ineffable experience of God, but not the Vision of God. Those who “experience” God and “savor” Him find in this their supreme earthly happiness, a joy, however, incomparably removed from that of heaven.
Conclusion. To our question, then, “Why do we need grace,” we may now answer: If our end, the Beatific Vision, is supernatural, then the means to achieve this end should be supernatural, too. And these supernatural means are: grace. We need grace, then, to achieve our supernatural end, the Beatific Vision.
Is this Vision absolutely supernatural for us? Yes. Pius XII said: God was entirely free to “create intellectual beings without ordering and calling them to the Beatific Vision.” “Out of His infinite goodness God ordained man to a supernatural end.” No created nature had any claim to this vision. It is utterly beyond the reach of our natural powers, merits and exigencies: it is a form of knowledge that is proper to the Three Divine Persons alone, a Vision of the Triune God in His intimate life.
To achieve our end in the Beatific Vision: we need grace.
Understanding Grace Ping!
Luke Chapter 1
28 And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women...Read More[Read More]
30 And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with...Read More[Read More]
Luke Chapter 2
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in...Read More[Read More]
52 And Jesus advanced in wisdom, and age, and grace with God and...Read More[Read More]
Luke Chapter 4
22 And all gave testimony to him: and they wondered at the words of grace that proceeded from his mouth, and they said: Is not this the son of...Read More[Read More]
John Chapter 1
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth...Read More[Read More]
16 And of his fulness we all have received, and grace for...Read More[Read More]
17 For the law was given by Moses; grace and truth came by Jesus...Read More[Read More]
Acts Chapter 4
33 And with great power did the apostles give testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord; and great grace was in them all...Read More[Read More]
Acts Chapter 6
8 And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the...Read More[Read More]
Acts Chapter 7
46 Who found grace before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of...Read More[Read More]
Acts Chapter 10
45 And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were astonished, for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the Gentiles also...Read More[Read More]
Acts Chapter 11
17 If then God gave them the same grace, as to us also who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ; who was I, that could withstand...Read More[Read More]
23 Who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, rejoiced: and he exhorted them all with purpose of heart to continue in the Lord...Read More[Read More]
Acts Chapter 13
43 And when the synagogue was broken up, many of the Jews, and of the strangers who served God, followed Paul and Barnabas: who speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God...Read More[Read More]
Acts Chapter 14
3 A long time therefore they abode there, dealing confidently in the Lord, who gave testimony to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands...Read More[Read More]
25 And thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been delivered to the grace of God, unto the work which they accomplished...Read More[Read More]
Acts Chapter 15
11 But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, in like manner as they...Read More[Read More]
40 But Paul choosing Silas, departed, being delivered by the brethren to the grace of...Read More[Read More]
Acts Chapter 20
24 But I fear none of these things, neither do I count my life more precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course and the ministry of the word which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God...Read More[Read More]
32 And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build up, and to give an inheritance among all the sanctified...Read More[Read More]
Romans Chapter 1
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith, in all nations, for his name;..Read More[Read More]
Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus...Read More[Read More]
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual grace, to strengthen you:..Read More[Read More]
Romans Chapter 3
24 Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption, that is in Christ Jesus,..Read More[Read More]
Romans Chapter 4
4 Now to him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to...Read More[Read More]
5 But to him that worketh not, yet believeth in him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reputed to justice, according to the purpose of the grace of God...Read More[Read More]
16 Therefore is it of faith, that according to grace the promise might be firm to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,..Read More[Read More]
Romans Chapter 5
2 By whom also we have access through faith into this grace, wherein we stand, and glory in the hope of the glory of the sons of God...Read More[Read More]
For if by the offence of one, many died; much more the grace of God, and the gift, by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many...Read More[Read More]
For judgment indeed was by one unto condemnation; but grace is of many offences, unto justification...Read More[Read More]
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned through one; much more they who receive abundance of grace, and of the gift, and of justice, shall reign in life through one, Jesus Christ...Read More[Read More]
And where sin abounded, grace did more...Read More[Read More]
21 That as sin hath reigned to death; so also grace might reign by justice unto life everlasting, through Jesus Christ our Lord...Read More[Read More]
Romans Chapter 6
1 What shall we say, then? shall we continue in sin, that grace may...Read More[Read More]
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under the law, but under...Read More[Read More]
15 What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God...Read More[Read More]
But the grace of God, life everlasting, in Christ Jesus our...Read More[Read More]
Romans Chapter 7
25 The grace of God, by Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, I myself, with the mind serve the law of God; but with the flesh, the law of sin...Read More[Read More]
Romans Chapter 12
3 For I say, by the grace that is given me, to all that are among you, not to be more wise than it behoveth to be wise, but to be wise unto sobriety, and according as God hath divided to every one the measure of faith...Read More[Read More]
6 And having different gifts, according to the grace that is given us, either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith;..Read More[Read More]
Romans Chapter 15
15 But I have written to you, brethren, more boldly in some sort, as it were putting you in mind: because of the grace which is given me from God...Read More[Read More]
Romans Chapter 16
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with...Read More[Read More]
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all....Read More[Read More]
1 Corinthians Chapter 1
3 Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus...Read More[Read More]
4 I give thanks to my God always for you, for the grace of God that is given you in Christ Jesus,..Read More[Read More]
7 So that nothing is wanting to you in any grace, waiting for the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ...Read More[Read More]
1 Corinthians Chapter 3
10 According to the grace of God that is given to me, as a wise architect, I have laid the foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon...Read More[Read More]
1 Corinthians Chapter 11
4 Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered, disgraceth his...Read More[Read More]
5 But every woman praying or prophesying with her head not covered, disgraceth her head: for it is all one as if she were shaven...Read More[Read More]
1 Corinthians Chapter 12
4 Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit;..Read More[Read More]
9 To another, faith in the same spirit; to another, the grace of healing in one Spirit;..Read More[Read More]
28 And God indeed hath set some in the church; first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly doctors; after that miracles; then the graces of healing, helps, governments, kinds of tongues, interpretations of speeches...Read More[Read More]
30 Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all...Read More[Read More]
1 Corinthians Chapter 15
10 But by the grace of God, I am what I am; and his grace in me hath not been void, but I have laboured more abundantly than all they: yet not I, but the grace of God with me...Read More[Read More]
1 Corinthians Chapter 16
3 And when I shall be with you, whomsoever you shall approve by letters, them will I send to carry your grace to Jerusalem...Read More[Read More]
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with...Read More[Read More]
2 Corinthians Chapter 1
2 Grace unto you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus...Read More[Read More]
12 For our glory is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity of heart and sincerity of God, and not in carnal wisdom, but in the grace of God, we have conversed in this world: and more abundantly towards you...Read More[Read More]
15 And in this confidence I had a mind to come to you before, that you might have a second grace:..Read More[Read More]
2 Corinthians Chapter 4
15 For all things are for your sakes; that the grace abounding through many, may abound in thanksgiving unto the glory of God...Read More[Read More]
2 Corinthians Chapter 6
1 And we helping do exhort you, that you receive not the grace of God in...Read More[Read More]
2 Corinthians Chapter 8
1 Now we make known unto you, brethren, the grace of God, that hath been given in the churches of Macedonia...Read More[Read More]
4 With much entreaty begging of us the grace and communication of the ministry that is done toward the saints...Read More[Read More]
6 Insomuch, that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so also he would finish among you this same grace...Read More[Read More]
7 That as in all things you abound in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all carefulness; moreover also in your charity towards us, so in this grace also you may abound...Read More[Read More]
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor, for your sakes; that through his poverty you might be rich...Read More[Read More]
19 And not that only, but he was also ordained by the churches companion of our travels, for this grace, which is administered by us, to the glory of the Lord, and our determined will:..Read More[Read More]
2 Corinthians Chapter 9
8 And God is able to make all grace abound in you; that ye always, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work,..Read More[Read More]
14 And in their praying for you, being desirous of you, because of the excellent grace of God in you...Read More[Read More]
2 Corinthians Chapter 12
9 And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me...Read More[Read More]
2 Corinthians Chapter 13
13 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and the communication of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen...Read More[Read More]
Galatians Chapter 1
3 Grace be to you, and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,..Read More[Read More]
6 I wonder that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel...Read More[Read More]
15 But when it pleased him, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,..Read More[Read More]
Galatians Chapter 2
9 And when they had known the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship: that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision:..Read More[Read More]
21 I cast not away the grace of God. For if justice be by the law, then Christ died in...Read More[Read More]
Galatians Chapter 5
4 You are made void of Christ, you who are justified in the law: you are fallen from...Read More[Read More]
Galatians Chapter 6
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren....Read More[Read More]
Ephesians Chapter 1
2 Grace be to you, and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus...Read More[Read More]
6 Unto the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he hath graced us in his beloved...Read More[Read More]
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his grace,..Read More[Read More]
Ephesians Chapter 2
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together in Christ, (by whose grace you are saved,)..Read More[Read More]
7 That he might shew in the ages to come the abundant riches of his grace, in his bounty towards us in Christ Jesus...Read More[Read More]
8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God;..Read More[Read More]
Ephesians Chapter 3
2 If yet you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me towards you:..Read More[Read More]
7 Of which I am made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, which is given to me according to the operation of his power:..Read More[Read More]
8 To me, the least of all the saints, is given this grace, to preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ,..Read More[Read More]
Ephesians Chapter 4
7 But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of...Read More[Read More]
29 Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth; but that which is good, to the edification of faith, that it may administer grace to the hearers...Read More[Read More]
Ephesians Chapter 6
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption....Read More[Read More]
Philippians Chapter 1
2 Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus...Read More[Read More]
Philippians Chapter 4
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit....Read More[Read More]
Colossians Chapter 1
3 Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you...Read More[Read More]
6 Which is come unto you, as also it is in the whole world, and bringeth forth fruit and groweth, even as it doth in you, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth...Read More[Read More]
Colossians Chapter 3
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God...Read More[Read More]
Colossians Chapter 4
6 Let your speech be always in grace seasoned with salt: that you may know how you ought to answer every man...Read More[Read More]
Grace be with you....Read More[Read More]
1 Thessalonians Chapter 1
2 Grace be to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for you all; making a remembrance of you in our prayers without...Read More[Read More]
1 Thessalonians Chapter 5
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you....Read More[Read More]
2 Thessalonians Chapter 1
2 Grace unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus...Read More[Read More]
12 That the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ...Read More[Read More]
2 Thessalonians Chapter 2
15 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God and our Father, who hathloved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation, and good hope in grace,..Read More[Read More]
2 Thessalonians Chapter 3
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all....Read More[Read More]
1 Timothy Chapter 1
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our...Read More[Read More]
14 Now the grace of our Lord hath abounded exceedingly with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus...Read More[Read More]
1 Timothy Chapter 4
14 Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophesy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood...Read More[Read More]
1 Timothy Chapter 6
Grace be with thee....Read More[Read More]
2 Timothy Chapter 1
2 To Timothy my dearly beloved son, grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Lord...Read More[Read More]
6 For which cause I admonish thee, that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee, by the imposition of my hands...Read More[Read More]
9 Who hath delivered us and called us by his holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the times of the world...Read More[Read More]
2 Timothy Chapter 2
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus:..Read More[Read More]
2 Timothy Chapter 4
Grace be with you....Read More[Read More]
Titus Chapter 1
4 To Titus my beloved son, according to the common faith, grace and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Savior...Read More[Read More]
Titus Chapter 2
11 For the grace of God our Savior hath appeared to all men;..Read More[Read More]
Titus Chapter 3
7 That, being justified by his grace, we may be heirs, according to hope of life...Read More[Read More]
The grace of God be with you all....Read More[Read More]
Philemon Chapter 1
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus...Read More[Read More]
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit....Read More[Read More]
Hebrews Chapter 2
9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour: that, through the grace of God, he might taste death for all...Read More[Read More]
Hebrews Chapter 4
16 Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace: that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid...Read More[Read More]
Hebrews Chapter 10
29 How much more, do you think he deserveth worse punishments, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath esteemed the blood of the testament unclean, by which he was sanctified, and hath offered an affront to the Spirit of...Read More[Read More]
Hebrews Chapter 12
15 Looking diligently, lest any man be wanting to the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up do hinder, and by it many be defiled...Read More[Read More]
28 Therefore receiving an immoveable kingdom, we have grace; whereby let us serve, pleasing God, with fear and reverence...Read More[Read More]
Hebrews Chapter 13
For it is best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats; which have not profited those that walk in them...Read More[Read More]
25 Grace be with you all....Read More[Read More]
James Chapter 4
6 But he giveth greater grace. Wherefore he saith: God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble...Read More[Read More]
1 Peter Chapter 1
2 According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, unto the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you and peace be multiplied...Read More[Read More]
10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and diligently searched, who prophesied of the grace to come in you...Read More[Read More]
13 Wherefore having the loins of your mind girt up, being sober, trust perfectly in the grace which is offered you in the revelation of Jesus Christ,..Read More[Read More]
1 Peter Chapter 3
7 Ye husbands, likewise dwelling with them according to knowledge, giving honour to the female as to the weaker vessel, and as to the co-heirs of the grace of life: that your prayers be not hindered...Read More[Read More]
1 Peter Chapter 4
10 As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God...Read More[Read More]
1 Peter Chapter 5
And do you all insinuate humility one to another, for God resisteth the proud, but to the humble he giveth grace...Read More[Read More]
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you...Read More[Read More]
12 By Sylvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I think, I have written briefly: beseeching and testifying that this is the true grace of God, wherein you stand...Read More[Read More]
Grace be to all you, who are in Christ Jesus....Read More[Read More]
2 Peter Chapter 1
2 Grace to you and peace be accomplished in the knowledge of God and of Christ Jesus our Lord:..Read More[Read More]
2 Peter Chapter 3
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and unto the day of eternity. Amen...Read More[Read More]
2 Corinthians Chapter 1
He gives an account of his sufferings and also of the favours and graces which God hath bestowed on him. This second Epistle was written in the same year with the first and sent by Titus from some place in Macedonia...Read More[Read More]
2 John Chapter 1
3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus the Son of the Father; in truth and charity...Read More[Read More]
3 John Chapter 1
4 I have no greater grace than this, to hear that my children walk in...Read More[Read More]
Jude Chapter 1
4 For certain men are secretly entered in, (who were written of long ago unto this judgment,) ungodly men, turning the grace of our Lord God into riotousness, and denying the only sovereign Ruler, and our Lord Jesus Christ...Read More[Read More]
Revelation Chapter 1
Grace be unto you and peace from him that is, and that was, and that is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne,..Read More[Read More]
Revelation Chapter 22
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all....Read More[Read More]
[Next]
Thanks for all the Scripture with the word “grace” in it.
Amen!!
Ignatius of Antioch [50-117 AD]
Epistle to the Ephesians
Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which is at Ephesus, in Asia, deservedly most happy, being blessed in the greatness and fulness of God the Father, and predestinated before the beginning of time, that it should be always for an enduring and unchangeable glory, being united and elected through the true passion by the will of the Father, and Jesus Christ, our God: Abundant happiness through Jesus Christ, and His undefiled grace...Read More[Read More]
For let us either stand in awe of the wrath to come, or show regard for the grace which is at present displayed—one of two things. Only[in one way or another] let us be found in Christ Jesus unto the true life...Read More[Read More]
Especially [will I do this if the Lord make known to me that ye come together man by man in common through grace, individually, in one faith, and in Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David according to the flesh, being both the Son of man and the Son of God, so that ye obey the bishop and the presbytery with an undivided mind, breaking one and the same bread, which is the medicine of immortality, and the antidote to prevent us from dying, but..Read More[Read More]
Epistle to the Magnesians
Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the [Church] blessed in the grace of God the Father, in Jesus Christ our Saviour, in whom I salute the Church which is at Magnesia, near the Moeander, and wish it abundance of happiness in God the father, and in Jesus Christ...Read More[Read More]
Since, then, I have had the privilege of seeing you, through Damas your most worthy bishop, and through your worthy presbyters Bassus and Apollonius, and through my fellow-servant the deacon Sotio, whose friendship may I ever enjoy, inasmuch as he is subject to the bishop as to the grace of God, and to the presbytery as to the law of Jesus Christ, [I now write to you]...Read More[Read More]
For if we still live according to the Jewish law, we acknowledge that we have not received grace. For the divinest prophets lived according to Christ Jesus...Read More[Read More]
Epistle to the Romans
Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the Church which has obtained mercy, through the majesty of the Most High Father, and Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son; the Church which is beloved and enlightened by the will of Him that willeth all things which are according to the love of Jesus Christ our God, which also presides in the place of the report of the Romans, worthy of God, worthy of honour, worthy of the highest happiness, worthy of praise, worthy of obtaining her every desire, worthy of being deemed holy, and which presides over love, is named from Christ, and from the Father, which I also salute in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father: to those who are united, both according to the flesh and spirit, to every one of His commandments; who are filled inseparably with the grace of God, and are purified from every strange taint, [I wish] abundance of happiness unblameably, in Jesus Christ our God...Read More[Read More]
For the beginning has been well ordered, if I may obtain grace to cling to my lot without hindrance unto the end. For I am afraid of your love, lest it should do me an injury...Read More[Read More]
Epistle to the Philadelphians
But may those that dishonoured them be forgiven through the grace of Jesus Christ! The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you; whence also I write to you by Burrhus, who was sent along with me by the Ephesians and Smyrnaeans, to show their respect...Read More[Read More]
Epistle to the Smyraeans
But consider those who are of a different opinion with respect to the grace of Christ which has come unto us, how opposed they are to the will of God...Read More[Read More]
Let all things, then, abound to you through grace, for ye are worthy. Ye have refreshed me in all things, and Jesus Christ [shall refresh] you. Ye have loved me when absent as well as when present...Read More[Read More]
Nevertheless, according to the will of God, I have been thought worthy [of this honour], not that I have any sense [of having deserved it], but by the grace of God, which I wish may be perfectly given to me, that through your prayers I may attain to God...Read More[Read More]
Grace will reward him in all things. I salute your most worthy bishop, and your very venerable presbytery, and your deacons, my fellow-servants, and all of you individually, as well as generally, in the name of Jesus Christ, and in His flesh and...Read More[Read More]
Fare ye well in the grace of...Read More[Read More]
Epistle to Polycarp
Having obtained good proof that thy mind is fixed in God as upon an immoveable rock, I loudly glorify [His name] that I have been thought worthy [to behold] thy blameless face, which may I ever enjoy in God! I entreat thee, by the grace with which thou art clothed, to press forward in thy course, and to exhort all that they may be saved...Read More[Read More]
For I trust that, through grace, ye are prepared for every good work pertaining to God. Knowing, therefore, your energetic love of the truth, I have exhorted you by this brief Epistle...Read More[Read More]
Grace shall be with him for ever, and with Polycarp that sends him. I pray for your happiness for ever in our God, Jesus Christ, by whom continue ye in the unity and under the protection of God, I salute Alce, my dearly beloved...Read More[Read More]
The Martyrdom of Ignatius
And these things he thus spake, and thus testified, extending his love to Christ so far as one who was about to secure heaven through his good confession, and the earnestness of those who joined their prayers to his in regard to his [approaching] conflict; and to give a recompense to the Churches, who came to meet him through their rulers, sending letters of thanksgiving to them, which dropped spiritual grace, along with prayer and exhortation...Read More[Read More]
For only the harder portions of his holy remains were left, which were conveyed to Antioch and wrapped in linen, as an inestimable treasure left to the holy Church by the grace which was in the martyr...Read More[Read More]
Justin Martyr [100-165 AD]
First Apology
Receive grace, and enter His presence, and worship in His holy courts. Let all the earth fear before His face; let it be established, and not shaken. Let them rejoice among the nations. The Lord hath reigned from the tree...Read More[Read More]
Second Apology
Hercules, says Xenophon, coming to a place where three ways met, found Virtue and Vice, who appeared to him in the form of women: Vice, in a luxurious dress, and with a seductive expression rendered blooming by such ornaments, and her eyes of a quickly melting tenderness, said to Hercules that if he would follow her, she would always enable him to pass his life in pleasure and adorned with the most graceful ornaments, such as were then upon her own person; and Virtue, who was of squalid look and dress, said, But if you obey me, you shall adorn yourself not with ornament nor beauty that passes away and perishes, but with everlasting and precious graces...Read More[Read More]
For the seed and imitation imparted according to capacity is one thing, and quite another is the thing itself, of which there is the participation and imitation according to the grace which is from Him...Read More[Read More]
Hortatory Address to the Greeks
For those who bootlessly disgrace the name of philosophy are convicted of knowing nothing at all, as they are themselves forced, though unwillingly, to confess, since not only do they disagree with each other, but also expressed their own opinions sometimes in one way, sometimes in another...Read More[Read More]
And while he demanded that concerning these matters he should be believed on account of the excellence of his language, he yet departed this life because he was overwhelmed with the infamy and disgrace of being unable to discover even the nature of the Euripus in Chalcis...Read More[Read More]
Martyrdom of Justin, Chariton, and other Roman Martyrs
“ Rusticus the prefect asked the woman Charito, “What say you, Charito?” Charito said, “I am a Christian by the grace of God...Read More[Read More]
And some of the faithful having secretly removed their bodies, laid them in a suitable place, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ having wrought along with them, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen...Read More[Read More]
Dialogue with Trypho (Chapters 9-47)
But if you are willing to listen to an account of Him, how we have not been deceived, and shall not cease to confess Him,—although men’s reproaches be heaped upon us, although the most terrible tyrant compel us to deny Him,—I shall prove to you as you stand here that we have not believed empty fables, or words without any foundation but words filled with the Spirit of God, and big with power, and flourishing with grace...Read More[Read More]
Justin: “Let not, then, your companions be so tumultuous, or behave so disgracefully. But if they wish, let them listen in silence; or, if some better occupation prevent them, let them go away; while we, having retired to some spot, and resting...Read More[Read More]
For such institutions seemed to be unreasonable and unworthy of God to many men, who had not received grace to know that your nation were called to conversion and repentance of spirit, while they were in a sinful condition and labouring under spiritual disease; and that the prophecy which was announced subsequent to the death of Moses is everlasting...Read More[Read More]
But now, by means of the contents of those Scriptures esteemed holy and prophetic amongst you, I attempt to prove all [that I have adduced], in the hope that some one of you may be found to be of that remnant which has been left by the grace of the Lord of Sabaoth for the eternal salvation...Read More[Read More]
Fairer in beauty than the sons of men: grace is poured forth into Thy lips: therefore bath God blessed Thee for ever. Gird Thy sword upon Thy thigh, O mighty One...Read More[Read More]
Justin: Moreover, the prescription that twelve bells be attached to the [robe] of the high priest, which hung down to the feet, was a symbol of the twelve apostles, who depend on the power of Christ, the eternal Priest; and through their voice it is that all the earth has been filled with the glory and grace of God and of His Christ...Read More[Read More]
Dialogue with Trypho (Chapters 48-108)
They will appear strange to you, although you read them every day; so that even from this fact we understand that, because of your wickedness, God has withheld from you the ability to discern the wisdom of His Scriptures; yet [there are] some exceptions, to whom, according to the grace of His long-suffering, as Isaiah said, He has left a seed of salvation, lest your race be utterly destroyed, like Sodom and Gomorrah...Read More[Read More]
And Lot said to them, I beseech [Thee], O Lord, since Thy servant bath found grace in Thy sight, and Thou hast magnified Thy righteousness, which Thou showest towards me in saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountain, lest evil overtake me, and I die...Read More[Read More]
Justin: I purpose to quote to you Scriptures, not that I am anxious to make merely an artful display of words; for I possess no such faculty, but God’s grace alone has been granted to me to the understanding of His Scriptures, of which grace I exhort all to become partakers freely and bounteously, in order that they may not, through want of it, incur condemnation in the judgment which God the Maker of all things shall hold through my Lord Jesus Christ...Read More[Read More]
Justin: If I were to be quarrelsome and light-minded like you, Trypho, I would no longer continue to converse with you, since you are prepared not to understand what has been said, but only to return some captious answer; but now, since I fear the judgment of God, I do not state an untimely opinion concerning any one of your nation, as to whether or not some of them may be saved by the grace of the Lord of Sabaoth...Read More[Read More]
Hence it would be becoming for you, sirs, to learn what you have not perceived, from those who have received grace from God, namely, from us Christians; and not to strive in every way to maintain your own doctrines, dishonouring those of God...Read More[Read More]
For the shadow of Pharaoh shall be a disgrace to you, and a reproach to those who trust in the Egyptians; for the princes in Tanis are evil angels...Read More[Read More]
, ceased, when He came, after whom, in the times of this dispensation wrought out by Him amongst men, it was requisite that such gifts should cease from you; and having received their rest in Him, should again, as had been predicted, become gifts which, from the grace of His Spirit’s power, He imparts to those who believe in Him, according as He deems each man worthy thereof...Read More[Read More]
But prove to us whether He must be crucified and die so disgracefully and so dishonourably by the death cursed in the law. For we cannot bring ourselves even to think of this...Read More[Read More]
CHAPTER 92 UNLESS THE SCRIPTURES BE UNDERSTOOD THROUGH GOD’S GREAT GRACE, GOD WILL NOT APPEAR TO HAVE TAUGHT ALWAYS THE SAME RIGHTEOUSNESS...Read More[Read More]
“Unless, therefore, a man by God’s great grace receives the power to understand what has been said and done by the prophets, the appearance of being able to repeat the words or the deeds will not profit him, if he cannot explain the argument of them...Read More[Read More]
‘ Accordingly He revealed to us all that we have perceived by His grace out of the Scriptures, so that we know Him to be the first-begotten of God, and to be before all creatures; likewise to be the Son of the patriarchs, since He assumed flesh by the Virgin of their family, and submitted to become a man without comeliness, dishonoured, and subject to suffering...Read More[Read More]
Dialogue with Trypho (Chapters 109-142)
“But to give you the account of the revelation of the holy Jesus Christ, I take up again my discourse, and I assert that even that revelation was made for us who believe on Christ the High Priest, namely this crucified One; and though we lived in fornication and all kinds of filthy conversation, we have by the grace of our Jesus, according to His Father’s will, stripped ourselves of all those filthy wickednesses with which we were imbued...Read More[Read More]
Then I said again, “Would you suppose, sirs, that we could ever have understood these matters in the Scriptures, if we had not received grace to discern by the will of Him whose pleasure it was? in order that the saying of Moses might come to pass, ‘They provoked me with strange [gods], they provoked me to anger with their abominations...Read More[Read More]
And you yourselves, if you will confess the truth, must acknowledge that we, who have been called by God through the despised and shameful mystery of the cross (for the confession of which, and obedience to which, and for our piety, punishments even to death have been inflicted on us by demons, and by the host of the devil, through the aid ministered to them by you), and endure all torments rather than deny Christ even by word, through whom we are called to the salvation prepared beforehand by the Father, are more faithful to God than you, who were redeemed from Egypt with a high hand and a visitation of great glory, when the sea was parted for you, and a passage left dry, in which [God] slew those @ho pursued you with a very great equipment, and splendid chariots, bringing back upon them the sea which had been made a way for your sakes; on whom also a pillar of light shone, in order that you, more than any other nation in the world, might possess a peculiar light, never-failing and never-setting; for whom He rained manna as nourishment, fit for the heavenly angels, in order that you might have no need to prepare your food; and the water at Marah was made sweet; and a sign of Him that was to be crucified was made, both in the matter of the serpents which bit you, as I already mentioned grace upon you, to whom you are always convicted of being thankless), as well as in the type of the extending of the hands of Moses, and of Oshea being named Jesus (Joshua); when you fought against Amalek: concerning which God enjoined that the incident be recorded, and the name of Jesus laid up in your understandings; saying that this is He who would blot out the memorial of Amalek from under heaven...Read More[Read More]
Wow! You are a living and posting library!
Once someone was trying to prove from a early church father verses that he did not believe in the eucharist. Well I read the whole text he was arguing from then noticed the early church father did believe in the eucharist in his original writing! You can't make this stuff. It is those websites do not give a proper footnote or cross reference of a complete text.
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