The greek word "charis"

[knownbeforetime]

I've been doing some research on this word because it is translated as "grace" in the New Testament. In my research, I read that there were some greek goddesses named the Charites or "The Graces". I'm wondering what the early church thought when they saw the word "charis" in Paul's writings. Would it have brought up images of the Charites? If so, where can I find out more about them so I can understand what the early Christians had in mind when they saw the word "charis"?

Your thoughts appreciated! No silly arguments please!

 

[Eucharisted]

Grace was equal to the Holy Spirit.

 

[MamaZ]

Grace was equal to the Holy Spirit.

 

[Eucharisted]

I don't know how to explain it without confusing people, sorry.

 

[knownbeforetime]

Grace was equal to the Holy Spirit.

Yes, I had this conclusion myself. Charis means "God's influence on the heart." Who influences us and teaches us to walk in the Light? The Holy Spirit. From this word, we get Charity, Charisma, Charismatic (which is a word used to describe Spirit-filled denominations). The gifts of the Holy Spirit are sometimes called "charisms".

But I was wondering what an early Greek convert would have thought when seeing this word. Would he have known people that worshipped the Charites? Would he have an idea of what Grace really is through his knowledge of the pagan gods of the time?

Or was "charis" a common word used to describe things such as favor and influence. Kind of like the word moxie describes an energetic, determined individual but it used to be the brand name of a soda.

 

[Macrina]

I've been doing some research on this word because it is translated as "grace" in the New Testament. In my research, I read that there were some greek goddesses named the Charites or "The Graces". I'm wondering what the early church thought when they saw the word "charis" in Paul's writings. Would it have brought up images of the Charites? If so, where can I find out more about them so I can understand what the early Christians had in mind when they saw the word "charis"?

Your thoughts appreciated! No silly arguments please!

Hello Known,

I just checked a couple Greek lexicons for you, one of which (the unabridged Kittel) has a massive entry on the word. I don't see anything which would indicate that this would have been a connotation in the mind of Paul's first readers.

Much of the material I saw dealt with the connection to a verb for "rejoicing." Charis was used in a variety of contexts in which someone rejoiced over a blessing, that kind of thing -- and it appeared in Classical Greek, relating to the gods... but nothing I have indicates that just the word charis would bring up specific connotations of the Charities.

I hope that helps. Enjoy your study!

~Mac