Understanding Grace

(Proverbs 13:15 KJV)  Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

We can achieve a “good” (2896a) “understanding” (7922).  Go back to chapter one.  This is a purpose of Proverbs.  It is a purpose of the written word.  With diligence we can produce results that will increase the working of grace.  This is both a promise and a demand.  That is not controversial.

The results could cause theological issues.  This says that “understanding” (7922) “produces” (5414) “favor” (2580).  That may not sound unusual to you but it flies in the face of some teaching about salvation.  You see, this is the favor that Noah found, “grace” as the KJV translates it.  Grace is a free gift of God.  Grace is what saves us.  Here we see one of the indicators of why God chooses to extend grace.

God is free to do as He chooses.  We can never be good enough to deserve His grace or favor.  In spite of that there are ample places like this in the Bible that remind us that our actions and attitudes are a part of the reason God acts in our lives.

So?  Become an active seeker and disciple.  God doesn’t help those who help themselves, God helps those with whom He is well pleased.