UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: to show kindness, to manifest graciousness toward, kindness, graciousness, grace

Semantic entry: 88.66

Semantic domains: Moral and Ethical Qualities and Related Behavior

Subdomains: Kindness, Harshness

Definition: to show kindness to someone, with the implication of graciousness on the part of the one showing such kindness

Notes: It is important to note that kindness in English indicates an activity in which an individual is kind to someone; it is essentially an event involving a particular quality. The same is true of χάρις in OET ACT 15:40, for this is not a mere gracious disposition, but an expectation of the Lord’s showing kindness.

Sense 2: gift, gracious gift

Semantic entry: 57.103

Semantic domains: Possess, Transfer, Exchange

Subdomains: Give

Definition: (derivative of χαρίζομαι[a] ‘to give graciously and generously,’ 57.102: χαρίζομαι) that which is given freely and generously

Notes: χάρις[b] may also occur in contexts in which the meaning of ‘generous gift’ may imply the purpose of gaining some favor or benefit. In OET ACT 24:27 (θέλων τε χάριτα καταθέσθαι τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ὁ Φῆλιξ ‘Felix wanted to be offered a generous gift by the Jews’) the implication is that of ‘a bribe,’ but probably spoken of euphemistically here as ‘a gift.’

Sense 3: thanks

Semantic entry: 33.350

Semantic domains: Communication

Subdomains: Thanks

Definition: an expression of thankfulness{N:001}

Sense 4: favor, good will

Semantic entry: 25.89

Semantic domains: Attitudes and Emotions

Subdomains: Acceptable To, To Be Pleased With

Definition: a favorable attitude toward someone or something

Notes: In the expressions ἔχοντες χάριν πρὸς ὅλον τὸν λαόν (OET ACT 2:47) and εὗρες γὰρ χάριν παρὰ τῷ θεῷ (OET LUK 1:30) it would appear on the basis of superficial examination that the subject of the participle or the verb is in some respects an active agent. Semantically, however, the subject is actually the recipient of the good will, and in these contexts it is either the people or God who takes pleasure in or is pleased by the grammatical subjects in question. These expressions are typical of situations in which the semantic relationships are almost completely the reverse of the syntactic relationships.