The term "ungraceful" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept can be understood through various scriptural teachings that address behavior, speech, and attitudes that lack grace, decorum, or the beauty of holiness. In the biblical context, grace is often associated with the favor and kindness of God, as well as the conduct expected of believers who have received such grace.

Biblical Understanding of Grace and Ungracefulness

Grace in the Bible is primarily understood as the unmerited favor of God towards humanity, exemplified in the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This grace is transformative, calling believers to live in a manner that reflects the character of Christ.

Ungracefulness, therefore, can be seen as behavior or speech that does not reflect the grace received from God. It is the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Ungraceful actions are those that contradict these virtues.

Examples of Ungraceful Behavior in Scripture

1. Speech: The Bible frequently addresses the importance of gracious speech. Colossians 4:6 advises, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Ungraceful speech, characterized by harshness, slander, or gossip, is condemned. James 3:6 warns of the destructive power of the tongue: "The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."

2. Conduct: Ungraceful conduct is often associated with selfishness, pride, and a lack of consideration for others. Philippians 2:3-4 instructs, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." The ungraceful person acts contrary to this call for humility and selflessness.

3. Attitude: An ungraceful attitude is one that lacks gratitude and contentment. Hebrews 12:15 warns, "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many." Bitterness and discontent are signs of an ungraceful heart, failing to recognize and appreciate the grace of God.

The Call to Graceful Living

Believers are called to live lives that reflect the grace they have received. Titus 2:11-12 teaches, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age." This passage highlights the transformative power of grace, urging Christians to reject ungraceful behaviors and attitudes.

In summary, while the Bible does not use the term "ungraceful," it provides clear guidance on living a life marked by grace. Believers are encouraged to embody the grace of God in their speech, conduct, and attitudes, reflecting the transformative power of the gospel in every aspect of their lives.(a.) Not graceful; not marked with ease and dignity; deficient in beauty and elegance; inelegant; awkward; as, ungraceful manners; ungraceful speech.

Arrival
... only a short stop at Gibraltar, that fortified rock for which Great Britain is ready
to play all her power just to maintain that dry and ungraceful rock, but ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter ii arrival.htm

An Eulogy on the Wisdom and Word of God, by which God Made all ...
... of this as, in very deed, the Matter of all Matter, not liable to any end, [6301]
not diverse in condition, not restless in motion, not ungraceful in form, but ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xviii an eulogy on the.htm

Physical Characteristics.
... and straight, scanty Beard, and "slightly hooked" Nose are shown also by the coins,
where the nose varies from a pronounced Roman or ungraceful eagle's beak to ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 3 physical characteristics.htm

Letter cccxxxiv. To a Writer.
... The oblique is ungraceful. It is the straight which pleases the eye, and does not
allow the reader's eyes to go nodding up and down like a swing-beam. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cccxxxiv to a writer.htm

Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments.
... The ungraceful things round the feet of women, Philemon in the Synephebus called
ankle-fetters:". "Conspicuous garments, and a kind of a golden fetter.". ...
/.../the instructor paedagogus/chapter xiiiagainst excessive fondness for.htm

After Eutropius Having Been Found Outside the Church had Been ...
... For the ungraceful woman, even if she cultivate beauty in countless ways, cannot
become graceful in body: for natural conditions are fixed, and confined by ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ii after eutropius having.htm

Of Flattery.
... his false light makes the shadow the more dismal: as the Ape has a peculiar deformity
above other brutes by that awkward and ungraceful resemblance he has to a ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section viii of flattery.htm

Thoughts on Mind and on Style
... them. 58. You are ungraceful: "Excuse me, pray." Without that excuse I would
not have known there was anything amiss. "With reverence ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section i thoughts on mind.htm

Westminster Abbey.
... Margaret's Churchyard you see on your right hand a huge but not ungraceful naval
monument of white marble, inscribed with the names of Bayne, Blair, Lord ...
/.../kingsley/lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture i westminster abbey.htm

Centenary Commemoration
... It was not an altogether ungraceful building with its arched windows"regarded by
many in those days as indicating Romeward tendencies"and its pointed spire ...
/.../centenary commemoration 2.htm

Ungraceful (1 Occurrence)
... (a.) Not graceful; not marked with ease and dignity; deficient in beauty and elegance;
inelegant; awkward; as, ungraceful manners; ungraceful speech. ...
/u/ungraceful.htm - 7k

Ungodly-men (1 Occurrence)
Ungodly-men. Ungodly, Ungodly-men. Ungraceful . Multi-Version Concordance
Ungodly-men (1 Occurrence). ... Ungodly, Ungodly-men. Ungraceful . Reference Bible
/u/ungodly-men.htm - 6k

Ungracious (1 Occurrence)

/u/ungracious.htm - 7k

Untoward (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Awkward; ungraceful; inconvenient; troublesome;
vexatious; unlucky; unfortunate; as, an untoward wind or accident. Int. ...
/u/untoward.htm - 9k

Graceful (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 12:23 and those which we deem less honorable we clothe with more abundant
honor; and so our ungraceful parts come to have a more abundant grace ...
/g/graceful.htm - 8k

Deem (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 12:23 and those which we deem less honorable we clothe with more abundant
honor; and so our ungraceful parts come to have a more abundant grace ...
/d/deem.htm - 7k

Clothe (52 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 12:23 and those which we deem less honorable we clothe with more abundant
honor; and so our ungraceful parts come to have a more abundant grace ...
/c/clothe.htm - 22k

Hard (733 Occurrences)
... hard character. 7. (superl.) Not easy or agreeable to the taste; stiff;
rigid; ungraceful; repelling; as, a hard style. 8. (superl ...
/h/hard.htm - 18k

Exploration
... In the "Jewish" period (800-300 BC) this influence is lost and the new styles are
coarse and ungraceful, such degeneration not being connected with the ...
/e/exploration.htm - 38k

Ungraceful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus