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What Is the Most Important Word in the New Testament?

Q: Dr. E,

I’ve heard you say hesed is the most important word in the Old Testament. What would you say is the most important word in the New Testament?

Summary

Grace and faith are central to the gospel, but which word best captures the heart of the New Testament?

Dr. Michael Easley explores that question by comparing several key biblical terms, including grace, faith, belief, and gospel. He begins with chesed, the Hebrew word he considers one of the most important theological terms in the Old Testament. Chesed describes God’s steadfast, covenantal love and His loyalty to His chosen people and promises.

When considering the New Testament, Dr. Easley initially considers faith, belief, and the gospel. Yet he ultimately leans toward grace. Why? Because grace makes faith possible.

Ephesians 2:8–10 reminds believers that salvation is by grace through faith. Faith is the means by which we trust Christ, but grace is the foundation that makes salvation possible. We cannot manufacture saving faith apart from God’s grace.

Dr. Easley also challenges the idea of “cheap grace.” Grace is not cheap because it is undeserved favor in the face of deserved wrath. At the cross, Christ bore the weight of our sin so that sinners could receive mercy.

The gospel reminds us that no one stands above another before God. At Calvary, the ground is level. We are all sinners, and we are all dependent upon grace.

Takeaways:

• Grace is the foundation of salvation, while faith is how we trust Christ for what we cannot do ourselves.
• God’s grace enables us to believe because saving faith cannot be separated from His gracious work.
• Grace is not cheap because it is undeserved favor in the face of deserved wrath.
• The Old Testament word chesed describes God’s steadfast covenant love and loyalty toward His people.
• The gospel reminds us that everyone stands on equal ground before God as sinners in need of grace.
• We do not find God because we are inherently better or wiser; grace is what calls us to Christ.

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If you’ve got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.