What Does the Bible Say About Undeserved Favor?

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 29 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Esther 5:2 ESV / 20 helpful votes

And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

1 Peter 5:10 ESV / 19 helpful votes

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Romans 11:6 ESV / 18 helpful votes

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

Psalm 103:10 ESV / 16 helpful votes

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

James 4:6 ESV / 13 helpful votes

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Hebrews 4:16 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Luke 1:28-30 ESV / 12 helpful votes

And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Hebrews 12:15 ESV / 8 helpful votes

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

Titus 2:11-12 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Ephesians 2:8 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Luke 1:30 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

2 Timothy 2:1 ESV / 7 helpful votes

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:5 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Romans 3:24 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Numbers 6:25 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2 Corinthians 1:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you.

Romans 5:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 4:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,

Psalm 106:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; help me when you save them,

Numbers 21:21-24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, “Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will not drink the water of a well. We will go by the King's Highway until we have passed through your territory.” But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. He gathered all his people together and went out against Israel to the wilderness and came to Jahaz and fought against Israel. And Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as to the Ammonites, for the border of the Ammonites was strong.

Ephesians 3:16-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

Galatians 5:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Proverbs 18:22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

Judges 13:1-5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”

Genesis 32:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.’”

1 Peter 4:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:

Galatians 1:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,

Romans 15:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God

Romans 6:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 5:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 1:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

Proverbs 3:3-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

Psalm 84:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Deuteronomy 28:1-68 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. ...

Genesis 19:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die.

1 John 3:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

Hebrews 10:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

Titus 3:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

2 Timothy 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Ephesians 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

Galatians 1:1-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. ...

2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 6:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.

Romans 12:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Acts 20:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Acts 20:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 15:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

Acts 13:43 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

John 14:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 1:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:52 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Isaiah 49:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord: “In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages,

Ruth 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?”

Deuteronomy 33:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And of Naphtali he said, “O Naphtali, sated with favor, and full of the blessing of the Lord, possess the lake and the south.”

Genesis 6:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

63 Bible Verses about Undeserved Favor

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 29 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Esther 5:2 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:10 ESV / 19 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 11:6 ESV / 18 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 103:10 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:6 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 4:16 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 1:28-30 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 12:15 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:11-12 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:8 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 1:30 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:1 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:5 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:24 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 6:25 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 1:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 4:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 106:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 21:21-24 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 3:16-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:22 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Judges 13:1-5 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 32:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 1:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 15:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 6:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 6:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 1:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 3:3-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 84:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 28:1-68 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 19:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 3:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 1:1-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 6:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 20:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 20:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 15:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 13:43 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 1:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 2:52 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 49:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ruth 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 33:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 6:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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