For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "grace for grace" isn't just about receiving more blessings; it suggests a continuous, reciprocal flow. Each gift of grace we receive from Christ equips us to better receive and utilize the next grace He offers, creating an ongoing cycle of divine enablement in our lives.
For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
John the Baptist has just testified about Jesus, declaring Him superior and pre-existent. Now, the evangelist John shifts perspective, speaking for himself and other believers to explain why Jesus is so significant. He reveals that from Jesus' abundant divine fullness, believers have received a continuous supply of grace, with each new blessing building upon the last.
When John says we receive from Christ's 'fullness,' what does that really mean? It's more than just having a lot; it's about an inexhaustible divine supply.
The verse highlights that Jesus Christ possesses a complete and perfect 'fullness' (pleroma). This isn't just a large amount of something, but the very totality of divine attributes, powers, and graces. Think of it as the complete package of God's being and provision, perfectly embodied in Christ.
The phrase 'grace upon grace' sounds poetic, but what does it reveal about God's generosity towards us?
The phrase 'grace for grace' (or 'grace upon grace') signifies a continuous, abundant, and layered outpouring of God's favor. It's not just receiving a single instance of grace, but experiencing grace that builds upon itself, leading to further grace.
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Understand the original words
plērōma · Greek Noun
The immeasurable, overflowing abundance of God's attributes, presence, and life; in Christ, it signifies the totality of the divine essence dwelling in bodily form.
charis · Greek Noun
God's unmerited favor, kindness, and enabling power toward those who deserve judgment; it is the fundamental quality of God's character in His relationship with humanity.
nomos · Greek Noun
The divine instruction and commandments given by God to Israel through Moses; it functioned to reveal God's holiness and humanity's sinfulness, pointing toward the need for a Savior.
alētheia · Greek Noun
The faithful, reliable, and authentic reality of God; it refers to the perfect correspondence between God's promises and their fulfillment in Christ.
Christos · Greek Proper Noun
The eternal Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, who took on human flesh to accomplish salvation for humanity.
This passage emphasizes that 'all the fullness' of God was pleased to dwell in Christ, directly supporting the idea of Christ's 'fullness' from which believers receive.
Ephesians 1:23Here, the church is described as Christ's body, the 'fullness of him who fills all in all,' illustrating how Christ's fullness is imparted to believers, echoing the 'grace upon grace' concept.
2 Peter 1:5This verse describes believers adding to their faith other virtues, showing a progressive reception of grace, which aligns with the idea of 'grace for grace' or one grace building upon another.
Exodus 33:23In this passage, God tells Moses he can see His back but not His face, symbolizing a revelation of God that is veiled. John 1 contrasts this veiledness with the 'fullness of grace and truth' revealed in Christ, implying a greater, more direct reception of God's favor.
Matthew 13:12Jesus states that 'whoever has will be given more,' a principle that resonates with the idea of 'grace for grace,' where the use and reception of existing grace leads to a greater reception.
pooleJohn 1:16: "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."
And of his fulness have all we received; of that plenty of grace which Christ hath, (who hath not the Spirit given him by measure, John 3:34 , as other saints have, Acts 2:4,6,8 ), we who by nature are void of grace, whether taken for the favour of God, or gracious habits, have received, as the skirts of Aaron’s garment received the oil which was plentifully poured out on Aaron’s head. And grace for grace: nor have we re…
vincentJohn 1:16: "And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace."
And (καὶ)But the correct reading is ὅτι, because, thus connecting the following sentence with "full of grace and truth" in John 1:14. We know Him as full of grace and truth, because we have received of His fullness.Of His fulness (ἐκ τοῦ πληρώματος αὐτοῦ)These and the succeeding words are the Evangelist's, not the Baptist's. The word fullness (πλήρωμα) is found here only in John, but frequently occurs in the wri…
The phrase "grace for grace" isn't just about receiving more blessings; it suggests a continuous, reciprocal flow. Each gift of grace we receive from Christ equips us to better receive and utilize the next grace He offers, creating an ongoing cycle of divine enablement in our lives.
John the Baptist has just testified about Jesus, declaring Him superior and pre-existent. Now, the evangelist John shifts perspective, speaking for himself and other believers to explain why Jesus is so significant. He reveals that from Jesus' abundant divine fullness, believers have received a continuous supply of grace, with each new blessing building upon the last.
John the Baptist has just testified about Jesus, declaring Him superior and pre-existent. Now, the evangelist John shifts perspective, speaking for himself and other believers to explain why Jesus is so significant. He reveals that from Jesus' abundant divine fullness, believers have received a continuous supply of grace, with each new blessing building upon the last.
"For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." — The phrase "grace for grace" isn't just about receiving more blessings; it suggests a continuous, reciprocal flow. Each gift of grace we receive from Christ equips us to better receive and utilize th…
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Last reviewed October 2026