Favorites

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

How does “understanding” (7922) “giveth” (produce NASB) (5414) God’s approval?  How does this relate to grace and salvation being a free gift?  Very well, actually.

When I look at the way the word “giveth” (produce NASB) (5414) is explained in the Hebrew dictionaries there is a running theme in all of the definitions and that is the idea of being something given.  So the idea of grace being a free gift of God is entwined in the word.  The part where the Bible differs from some people’s doctrine is that God chooses to give the gift of His favor because we have chosen to give Him enough attention to what He is teaching to develop “understanding” (7922).  If that goes against what you believe then keep reading your Bible in the context of all the proof texts you can quote for me.

So?  God gives.  We cannot earn.  It is beyond us.  The question is, “How does God decide to bestow the gifts?”  Seek understanding.