God in the Old Testament as Mercy VS in the New Testament as Grace

 

God in the Old Testament as Mercy VS in the New Testament as Grace

Exo. 34:6–7 – The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth… forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.

Micah 7:18–19 – Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity… He delights in mercy.

John 1:14, 16–17 – The Word became flesh… full of grace and reality… From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 

Aspect	God’s Mercy in the Old Testament	God’s Grace in the New Testament
Meaning	Mercy is God’s compassion, pity, and forgiveness toward human weakness, suffering, and sin — it restrains judgment that we deserve.	Grace is God giving Himself as life and supply to man; it is His unmerited favor that imparts His very life and nature into us.
Reason	Because fallen mankind lives in sin and misery, God’s heart is moved with compassion to forgive and preserve them.	Because God’s redemptive plan is accomplished through Christ’s death and resurrection, He can now impart Himself as life to believers.
Distinction	Mercy focuses on not giving what we deserve — withholding punishment.	Grace focuses on giving what we do not deserve — bestowing divine life and blessing.
Explanation	Mercy is the outward expression of God’s love, seen in His compassion toward the afflicted; it works alongside the Law (Psalm 103:8, Exodus 34:6).	Grace is the inward dispensing of God’s love, realized in Christ’s incarnation (John 1:14, 16–17); it not only forgives but also regenerates.
Purpose	To preserve God’s people from destruction and keep His plan of salvation progressing.	To make believers partakers of God’s life, nature, and glory — becoming His sons and expression.
Examples	God had mercy on Noah (Gen. 6:8), on Israel (Exo. 34:6–7), on David (Psalm 51),  and spared Nineveh (Jonah 4:2).	Jesus was full of grace and truth (John 1:14); sinners are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8); Paul received mercy to show God’s patience (1 Tim. 1:13–16).
Application	Believers should show mercy to others (Luke 6:36), forgive and sympathize with the weak.	Believers should grow in grace (2 Pet. 3:18), serve by grace (Heb. 12:28), and minister grace to others (Eph. 4:29).
Relationship	Mercy is the foundation of grace — without mercy, man could not receive grace; mercy stops judgment so grace can flow.	Grace is the fulfillment of mercy — mercy forgives, grace transforms and builds man into God’s expression.
Burden	The church should express God’s mercy, showing the world His unwillingness that any perish.	The church should live in and minister grace, manifesting Christ as the reality of divine life.
Prophetic Guidance	“Lord, let Your mercy come upon us, that we may not perish, and make us those who show mercy.”	“Lord, grow in us through grace, that Your life may be built up and expressed in us.”
Conclusion	In the Old Testament, God forgave and preserved His people through mercy, preparing the way for grace.	In the New Testament, God dispenses Himself as grace, making man His sons and co-kings — grace is the consummation of mercy.
Detailed Scriptures	Psalm 103:8–13 – The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness… As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 145:8–9 – The LORD is gracious and full of compassion… His tender mercies are over all His works. Dan. 9:9 – To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him. Hos. 11:8–9 – My heart is turned within Me, My compassions are kindled together… I will not execute the fierceness of My anger. Jonah 4:2 – You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and You relent from doing harm. Jer. 31:20 – My heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD.	Rom. 3:24 – Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Rom. 5:17, 21 – Those who receive the abundance of grace… shall reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 12:9 – My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Eph. 2:8–9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith; it is the gift of God. Titus 2:11–12 – The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men… teaching us to live godly lives. Heb. 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace for timely help. 1 Pet. 5:10 – The God of all grace… will Himself perfect, establish, strengthen, and ground you. Rev. 22:21 – The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

 

🔹 Summary

• Mercy restrains judgment; Grace imparts life.
• Mercy forgives; Grace transforms.
• Mercy prepares; Grace fulfills.
• Mercy is God’s heart moved; Grace is God’s life given.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7, Part 4: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy and will receive mercy.