XariΣ in Paul: An Investigation Into the Apostle’s “Performative” Application of the Language of Grace Within the Framework of His Theological Reflection on the Event/Process of Salvation

Abstract

This chapter describes the use of χάρις in Paul within the overarching framework of his soteriology. In order to understand why and how the apostle uses this concept in his intratextual reflections on God's eschatological act of salvation in Christ, the basic building blocks of his theology need to be identified and related to the different semantic nuances that he attached to χάρις on the surface level of his letters. At the same time, the meanings of χάρις in the Graeco-Roman environment of Paul's day must be investigated, because this information will serve as the decor, the interpretative framework, for the investigation of Paul's soteriological understanding of grace. Paul's language of χάρις was very much at home in the Eastern Mediterranean world of his day. In his letters, Paul reflects on the Christ-event from various theological angles of incidence, as required by the contingent situations that he addresses.Keywords: χάρις; God's eschatological act; Graeco-Roman environment; Paul's language; salvation in Christ; soteriology; theological reflection