Charitoo

 

The purpose of today’s devotion is to introduce you to a unique word used only twice in the Bible, and only in the New Testament. It is the Greek word “Charitoo”.

Charitoo, pronounced khar-ee-to-o, is a verb and the root of the Greek words used first in Luke 1:28 and then in Ephesians 1:6.

Luke 1:28 records the Angel Gabriel’s greeting when he was sent by God to a young, not yet wed virgin girl named Mary. The Virgin Mary was chosen by God to be an instrument of Life – God, the incarnate Word.

“And he came to her and said, Hail, O favoured one [endued with grace]! The Lord is with you. Blessed (favoured of God) are you before all other women!” (AMPC)

And in Ephesians 1:6 the verb is used to tell of our adoption into the family of God through Christ Jesus.

“[So we might be] to the praise and commendation of His glorious grace (favour and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” (AMP)

Charitoo, rendered “Full of Grace”, is a verb which is unique in that it is in the past, present, and future tense all at the same time.

In the first instance, Luke 1:28, it speaks of an action, that having already been completed, still has a powerful effect in this present day and will continue to have such an effect well into the future – an action with a permanent, continuous result.

In its second instance, Ephesians 1:6, though it appears to be more of a momentary action, one that is brought to pass, like the first, its effect is marked by continuity.

Beloved, in both occurrences God used this unique word, Charitoo, in His Word to reveal to us, His children, that we have been accepted, and approved, and completely, perfectly, and enduringly endowed with grace, grace that enables the capacity for the reception of Divine Life.

Amen †

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Charitoo” ©2013 revisited October 5, 2025

Photo: Virgin Gorda BVI courtesy Danae