Christian perfection, therefore, does not imply (as some men seem to have imagined) an exemption either from ignorance or mistake, or infirmities or temptations. Indeed, it is only another term for holiness. They are two names for the same thing. Thus every one that is perfect is holy, and every one that is holy is, in the Scripture sense, perfect. Yet we may, lastly, observe, that neither in this respect is there any absolute perfection on earth. There is no perfection of degrees, as it is termed; none which does not admit of a continual increase. So that how much soever any man hath attained, or in how high a degree soever he is perfect, he hath still need to "grow in grace," [2 Pet. 3:18] and daily to advance in the knowledge and love of God his Saviour. [see Phil. 1:9] (bold italics added)

Wesley took seriously Jesus’ commandment to “be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48); however, of himself he said only that he was “going on to perfection,” and every Methodist is expected to be doing the same.

The grace that God gives us that allows us to continue to repent and to strive toward perfection after our justification is sanctifying grace.

Ephesians 2:1-10 (4/7/2011)

The God’s Word translation tends to be very free; that is, instead of translating exactly what the text says word for word, the translators try hard to tell you what the text means in English. I haven’t used it much in this study of God’s character, because sometimes I have trouble figuring out which one of their English words to attach the Hebrew or Greek word to.

Nevertheless, I really like two things about the translation of Ephesians 2. First, they consistently use “kindness” for our word charis/grace, and it’s important to remember that grace is kindness - maybe more than kindness, but certainly no less.

Second, vss. 8-9 are so clear in this translation. Most English translations say something like, “By grace you have been saved through faith; this is not from you, it is the gift of God.” Now, that’s an accurate word-for-word version, but the idea is wrong. In English, “this” and “it” must refer back to “faith”; in Greek that is impossible. The God’s Word translation “You had nothing to do with it. Being saved is a gift from God” is an accurate translation of the Greek, even though it may look strange to you. And, as I’ve said before, I’m not making this up – it’s the standard commentary on vss. 8-9. Here’s what John Wesley says:

And this is not of yourselves – This refers to the whole preceding clause, That ye are saved through faith, is the gift of God.

Out of God’s great kindness, we are saved.

charis

1 Cor. 1:1-3; 2 Cor. 1:1-2; Gal. 1:1-4; 1 Peter 1:1-2; 2 Pet. 1:1-2; 2 John 1:1-3 (4/8/2011)

Think about the last letter you wrote to someone other than a close friend or family member. Probably you began, “Dear Mr. Smith,” and you ended, “Yours truly.” Was he dear to you? Were you offering yourself to him? Probably not, but that’s the way we write letters.

There was also a standard format for letters in the first and second centuries. They began with the name of the person writing, the name of the recipient, and some sort of greeting – often “Greeting.” Then came the business of the letter, and at the end there was typically some sort of farewell.

A very common greeting in letters among Christians was “Grace be unto you.” Three letters use other greetings – James (“Greeting”), 3 John (“Beloved”), Jude (“mercy, peace, and love”) – and 1 John lacks all the standard format elements of a letter. In addition to the examples below, however, Paul uses “Grace be unto you” (sometimes adding peace or mercy) in all 10 of his other letters. Hebrews and Revelation use “Grace be unto you” as the farewell greeting. Eighteen of twenty-two letters begin or end with grace.

The primary blessing that the apostles wished for the readers of their letters was God’s graciousness.

1 Corinthians 1:1-2

Charis

2 Corinthians 1:1

Charis

Galatians 1:1-2

Charis

1 Peter 1:1-2a

Charis

2 Peter 1:1

Charis

2 John 1:1-2

Charis

The frontispiece showing Moses and Jesus is from the Binns family Bible, now in the private collection of Regina L. Hunter.

Other Aspects of God's Character
Glory, Old Testament, New Testament
Holiness, Old Testament, New Testament
Longsuffering, Old Testament, New Testament
Steadfast Love, Old Testament, which is Mercy in the New Testament
Graciousness, Old Testament, which is Grace in the New Testament
Jealousy, Old Testament
Intolerance of Sin, Old Testament, New Testament

Copyright 2011, 2021 by Regina L. Hunter. All rights reserved.

Opinions expressed on this page are solely those of the author, Regina Hunter, and may or may not be shared by the sponsors or the Bible-study participants. Thanks to the Holy Spirit for any useful ideas presented here, and thanks to all the readers for their support and enthusiasm. All errors are, of course, the sole responsibility of the author.

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