Roger Haight on Translating the Word Grace

"The word Grace is the english equivalent of the latin 'gratia', which in turn translates the Greek word 'charis'; and the New Testament authors used 'charis' to render several Hebrew words conveying meanings reducible to three main ideas: condescending love, conciliatory compassion and fidelity. As a result, the word grace has the special connotation of everyting that pertains to a gift of love; it totally gratuitous or unmerited and undeserved."

Roger Haight - "The Experience and Language of Grace" - London (1979) (Introduction)