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What Does the Bible Say About..Favor of God?

I'm running references on favor of God. My question is, are faith, understanding and wisdom a favor of God ? How and why? Please list scriptures. I know that it is but I'd like to find scriptures pertaining to this. Thank you for your time.

Answer

My answer would depend on how you define “favor of God.” If you mean, are they gifts given by God, then certainly He is the source of all good gifts. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” (James 1:17) “”But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5) “Lord, I believe. Help thou mine unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” (Colossians 1:9)

However, when the Bible talks about favor, it is itself the gift. The word “favor” is used to translate words that mean grace, goodwill, or acceptance. So to talk about the favor of God would be just as easily stated as talking about the grace of God. Most of the time it is talking about acceptance, as in “found favor in God’s sight.” The phrase “favor of God” is not found in the Bible. The closest thing would be “favor with God” (Luke 1:30) and “favor before God” (Acts 7:46), both carrying the meaning of acceptance.

For a further explanation, see my answer at What Does the Bible Say About..God's Favor?"