I would like to begin today with a quote from William Shakespeare. It is from the Merchant of Venice and besides being one my own favorite quotes it is perhaps one of his best known as well.
The character that is speaking is named Portia, and if you have ever read this play or have gone to see it, you would know that she has disguised herself as a judge.
“The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice.”
I would next like to tie the above quote with the definition of the words mercy and grace according to Webster’s Dictionary
“That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy. That which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.”
“Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.
Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin.
The application of Christ’s righteousness to the sinner.
A state of reconciliation to God.”
The reader will note that in all instances there is a reference to God as the originator of the concept of grace and mercy.
In Strong’s Concordance we find the Greek and Hebrew translations for grace and mercy respectively
“1653. eleeo el-eh-eh'-o from 1656; to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace):--have compassion (pity on), have (obtain, receive, shew) mercy (on). “
Again the connection between the divine and concept.
“2603 chanan khaw-nan' a primitive root (Compare