Grace

CRITICAL: neema is the correct Union Version term, but it is also standard Islamic Swahili vocabulary for Allah’s favor and bounty (‘neema za Mwenyezi Mungu’), generally understood there as responsive to human piety and obedience rather than wholly unmerited. baraka (blessing) must be avoided as a substitute: it carries strong traditional African and Islamic connotations of a reciprocal blessing bestowed by ancestors, elders, or Allah in response to right conduct or respect shown, which directly undercuts Romans’ ‘apart from works’ argument (4:4-5, 11:5-6). bahati (luck/fortune) must never be used.