by the Grace of God

English

Etymology

Calque of Latin Deī grātiā. Doublet of Dei gratia.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (General Australian):(file)

Prepositional phrase

by the Grace of God

  1. (idiomatic, religion, Christianity) By divine will and benevolence.

Usage notes

  • A paraphrase from St. Paul in the Bible, 1 Corinthians 15:8–10, which states, "Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am...".
  • A formulaic phrase acknowledging fealty to God. It has been used especially by authority in historically Christian cultures to signify power granted by divine will.

Translations

See also

Further reading