Rich Grace VS Full Grace

 

Rich Grace VS Full Grace

Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

John 1:16 Out of His fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given

 

Category	Rich Grace	Full Grace
Definition & Meaning	Refers to the measure and abundance of grace that God possesses, the rich content of grace in God's nature	Refers to God's rich grace flowing out and overflowing, becoming the manifestation and actual supply of grace
Location	In God, as an attribute of His nature	In Christ Jesus, manifested through the incarnate Christ
Nature & Characteristics	• Is the source • Is internal richness • Is the measure of God's grace • Is in potential state	• Is manifestation • Is external expression • Is the expression of God's grace • Is actual supply
Key Distinction	Richness is the quantity of something	Fullness is something flowing out and overflowing, becoming the manifestation of that thing
Biblical Examples	• The riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ (Eph 2:7) • The riches of the glory of His grace (Eph 1:7) • The rich grace of God in Christ (1 Tim 1:14)	• From His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace (John 1:16) • You have been made full in Him (Col 2:10) • The Word became flesh, full of grace and truth (John 1:14)
Practical Application	• Recognize the infinity and abundance of God's grace • Believe God has sufficient grace to supply all needs • Worship God's rich attributes	• Actually appropriate and experience God's grace • Receive grace upon grace continuously • Experience God's gracious supply in daily life
Way of Receiving	Through faith recognition and praise	Through union with Christ, actually receiving and experiencing
Temporal Nature	Eternally unchanging, richness in God	Continuously flowing, like waves one after another
Related Scriptures	Eph 2:7 In order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus 1 Tim 1:14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus	John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth Col 2:9-10 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness
Theological Significance	Emphasizes the infinity and complete sufficiency of God's grace	Emphasizes the concrete manifestation of God's grace through Christ and believers' actual experience
Relationship to Godhead	The rich content of grace within the Godhead	The bodily dwelling and manifestation of all the fullness of the Godhead in Christ
Believers' Experience	Recognizing the greatness and richness of God's grace	Actually experiencing the continuous supply and satisfaction of grace

 

Important Notes

Meaning of Grace Upon Grace: The "grace upon grace" in John 1:16 can be compared to rolling ocean waves, one after another, continuous and unending. This shows that full grace is not a one-time giving, but a continuous flowing and supply.

The Importance of Christ: Full grace can only be obtained in Christ, because all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ (Col 2:9). Apart from Christ, we cannot obtain full grace.

Practical Application Differences:

• Rich Grace: Gives us correct understanding of God's greatness and grace
• Full Grace: Allows us to actually experience God's gracious supply and satisfaction in daily life

 

*Please refer to the June 2025 Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Chapter 4: The Mystery of God—Christ