Bible Dictionary
GRACIOUS
Gracious means showing favor, kindness, or compassion to one in an inferior position. Scripture chiefly applies the word to God’s merciful and generous dealings, though it can also describe an attractive or courteous person.
Definition
Gracious means showing favor, kindness, or compassion to one in an inferior position. In a secondary sense it describes someone or something graceful, winsome, or attractive.
Biblical Usage
The adjective chiefly describes Yahweh’s favor, mercy, long-suffering, and kindness. It is also applied to a gracious woman, gracious speech, and the Lord whose goodness has been experienced.
Historical Background
The Old Testament uses the same root with both the sense of showing favor and the modified sense of being graceful or attractive. The New Testament uses the word once in this sense of the Lord’s graciousness.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>gra'-shus (chanan; charis): In general, the word means "to favor," "to show kindness" to an inferior and "to be compassionate." All Old Testament passages are derived from the same root, and yet there are two evident shades of meaning derived from it. (1) As above, "favorable" or, causative, "to cause to be gracious," as "Yahweh make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee" (Nu 6:25); "And the Lord was gracious unto them" (2Ki 13:23 the King James Version); "The Lord is gracious and full of compassion" (Ps 145:8 the King James Version). (2) In a modified sense, "graceful," "winsome" or "attractive," as applied particularly to persons and things. Used thus 3 times in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament. "A gracious woman retaineth honor" (Pr 11:16 the King James Version; compare Ec 10:12; Lu 4:22).</p><p>The word is used once in the New Testament from root of Greek word chrestos, meaning "useful" as a benefit: "if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious" (1Pe 2:3).</p><p>In the main, however, the adjective is applied in the Old Testament to Yahweh, as indicative of His favor and mercy, His long-suffering and general inclination of favor and kindness.</p><p>Walter G. Clippinger</p>