What Are the Covenants of Grace?
1. Definition of the Covenant of Grace
The covenant of grace is the overarching plan of God to redeem humanity after the fall. In Reformed thought, it is described as the “second covenant,” following the covenant of works made with Adam. While the covenant of works depended on human obedience, the covenant of grace depends entirely on Christ’s obedience.
It is the framework through which God offers sinners life and salvation. Its substance is Christ Himself, received by faith, applied by the Spirit, and guaranteed by God’s promise.
2. Biblical Foundation
The covenant of grace begins with God’s promise in Genesis 3:15: the seed of the woman will crush the serpent’s head. This is often called the protoevangelium—the first Gospel. From that moment forward, God’s covenant purpose unfolds:
Genesis 3:15: Promise of a Redeemer.
Genesis 12:3: Blessing of all nations through Abraham’s seed.
2 Samuel 7:16: Promise of an eternal king from David’s line.
Jeremiah 31:31–34: Promise of a new covenant written on hearts.
These passages trace the progressive revelation of one covenant of grace, culminating in Jesus Christ.
3. Distinction from the Covenant of Works
To understand the covenant of grace, we must contrast it with the covenant of works:
Covenant of Works: Made with Adam in Eden; promised life if he obeyed God’s command (Genesis 2:16–17). Failure brought death (Romans 5:12).
Covenant of Grace: Established after the fall; promises salvation not on the basis of human obedience but on Christ’s obedience (Romans 5:19).
The covenant of works highlighted humanity’s inability to save itself, while the covenant of grace demonstrates God’s mercy and Christ’s sufficiency.
4. Administrations of the Covenant of Grace
Though the covenant of grace is one in substance, it unfolds in different administrations throughout history. These administrations are not separate covenants but different stages of the same covenantal promise.
Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9): God preserves creation, ensuring the stage for redemption.
Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12, 15, 17): God promises blessing for all nations through Abraham’s seed.
Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19–24): God gives the law to Israel, pointing to the need for a Savior.
Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7): God promises an eternal king to reign forever.
New Covenant (Jeremiah 31; Luke 22:20): Fulfilled in Christ’s blood, offering forgiveness and life eternal.
Each administration builds upon the last, progressing toward fulfillment in Jesus.
5. Unity of the Covenant of Grace
Although the forms vary, the substance of the covenant of grace is always the same: salvation by faith in God’s promise.
Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3).
Israel’s sacrifices pointed forward to Christ (Hebrews 10:1–4).
David’s throne found fulfillment in Jesus’ reign (Acts 2:30–36).
The new covenant completes what was anticipated (Hebrews 8:6).
This unity demonstrates that God’s plan has never changed. He has always been working toward the redemption of His people in Christ.
6. Christ as the Mediator of the Covenant of Grace
The covenant of grace is not an abstract promise—it is fulfilled in Christ. Jesus is:
The Seed of the Woman: Crushing the serpent (Genesis 3:15).
The Seed of Abraham: Bringing blessing to all nations (Galatians 3:16).
The Son of David: Sitting on the eternal throne (Luke 1:32–33).
The Mediator of the New Covenant: Offering His blood for forgiveness (Hebrews 9:15).
Christ perfectly obeyed where Adam failed. His death and resurrection secure the blessings of the covenant for all who believe.
7. The Covenant of Grace and the Gospel
The covenant of grace is the Gospel in covenantal form. It shows that:
Salvation is by grace, not works (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Faith is the means of receiving God’s promise (Romans 3:28).
Christ is the fulfillment of every covenantal shadow (2 Corinthians 1:20).
The Gospel is bigger than a single dispensation or era. It is the eternal purpose of God revealed progressively through the covenants and accomplished fully in Christ.
8. The Covenant of Grace and the Church
The covenant of grace also shapes how we view the people of God. There are not two peoples (Israel and the church) but one people united in Christ.
Gentiles are grafted into the same olive tree (Romans 11:17–24).
Believers are called the offspring of Abraham (Galatians 3:29).
The church is described as the new covenant community (1 Peter 2:9–10).
This continuity guards against division and shows the unity of God’s plan for His covenant people across time.
9. Eschatological Fulfillment
The covenant of grace points forward to its consummation in the new creation. What began in promise will end in glory:
New Heavens and Earth: Fulfillment of the land promise (Revelation 21:1).
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb: Fulfillment of the marriage covenant (Revelation 19:9).
Christ’s Eternal Reign: Fulfillment of David’s throne (Revelation 22:3–5).
This consummation is not a separate plan but the completion of the covenant of grace, secured in Christ.
10. Conclusion
The covenants of grace reveal God’s eternal purpose to save His people through Christ. Beginning with the promise in Eden and unfolding through Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David, this covenant finds its fulfillment in the new covenant established by Jesus’ blood.
Unlike the covenant of works, which depended on Adam’s obedience, the covenant of grace depends entirely on Christ’s obedience. Its unity across history shows the continuity of God’s plan and the centrality of the Gospel.
The Gospel is the covenant of grace. It is God’s free offer of salvation, received by faith, accomplished by Christ, and guaranteed by His Spirit. From Genesis to Revelation, the covenant of grace is the golden thread tying together God’s redemptive story.
Bible Verses about the Covenant of Grace
Genesis 3:15 – “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
Genesis 15:6 – “And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”
Genesis 17:7 – “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant.”
Exodus 19:5 – “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine.”
2 Samuel 7:16 – “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.”
Jeremiah 31:31 – “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”
Luke 22:20 – “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
Romans 5:19 – “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”
Galatians 3:29 – “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”
Hebrews 9:15 – “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.”
