Grace in the Bible
The word grace is mentioned in the Bible many, many times. There are a few references in the Old Testament, but most of them appear in the New Testament and can be attributed to Paul. Oddly enough, the word grace is only mentioned in the Gospels seven times: once in Luke and six times in John.
Jesus never spoke the word grace in the Gospels and only once is reported to have used the word when He appeared in a vision to Paul. In that vision, Paul relays the message of Jesus in these words: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (II Cor. 12:9)
History
The book was published in Asia not later than the early years of the second century. Its sources and circumstances of origin remain veiled in mystery. The gospel itself encourages an ever-deepening search for meaning. It is believed that "John the apostle dictated the gospel in old age, independently but with knowledge of the other gospels, from his reminiscences" (Interpreter's One Volume Commentary, p. 707).
Even the name of the gospel conveys the meaning of grace. John is a Hebrew name meaning "Jehovah bestows mercifully; Jah is gracious; grace and mercy of the Lord; dovelike; meekness; compassion; fertility; fruitfulness; love" (MBD: John).
