Unmerited Favor?

Pressing-On · #1 04-30-2014, 01:12 PM

I was wondering where we get the definition for “grace” as “unmerited favor”?

The Greek never defines "grace" as anything more than "graciousness". It comes from a root word meaning, “full of cheer”.

I don’t see unmerited or undeserving in the Bible. I don’t see that we are unworthy, unless we are not following in obedience (continuing in the faith) after Christ.

The only time I see someone following after Christ while saying they were “not” worthy are the passages by John in reference to, “whose shoe I am not worthy to unfasten” in the Gospels. Yet, here, the word is meaning, “to arrive; competent (as not coming into season)”.

The underlying teaching of “unmerited favor” seems rather negative. It’s as though we view God as offering us salvation, gifts and eternal life with the mindset that even though He has given, we aren’t really worth it.

I looked up “unmerited favor” on line and this is what I pulled up:

Quote:

Bible Verses about unmerited - Top Verses
http://www.topverses.com/about/unmerited

All I can read is “graciousness”. I don’t see anything negative here, nor do I read these passages as though I deserve nothing from God.

So, where did this definition, “unmerited favor”, come from?

phareztamar · #2 04-30-2014, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I was wondering where we get the definition for “grace” as “unmerited favor”?

The Greek never defines "grace" as anything more than "graciousness". It comes from a root word meaning, “full of cheer”.

I don’t see unmerited or undeserving in the Bible. I don’t see that we are unworthy, unless we are not following in obedience (continuing in the faith) after Christ.

The only time I see someone following after Christ while saying they were “not” worthy are the passages by John in reference to, “whose shoe I am not worthy to unfasten” in the Gospels. Yet, here, the word is meaning, “to arrive; competent (as not coming into season)”.

The underlying teaching of “unmerited favor” seems rather negative. It’s as though we view God as offering us salvation, gifts and eternal life with the mindset that even though He has given, we aren’t really worth it.

I looked up “unmerited favor” on line and this is what I pulled up:

All I can read is “graciousness”. I don’t see anything negative here, nor do I read these passages as though I deserve nothing from God.

So, where did this definition, “unmerited favor”, come from?

Unschooled fervor?

Pressing-On · #3 04-30-2014, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phareztamar

Unschooled fervor?

Can you answer the question as to where the term "unmerited favor" came into play? As I stated, the Greek doesn't have that in the definition.

If you think that you are schooled, then give me something.

Timmy · #4 04-30-2014, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Can you answer the question as to where the term "unmerited favor" came into play? As I stated, the Greek doesn't have that in the definition.

If you think that you are schooled, then give me something.

I think that was his answer.

Pressing-On · #5 04-30-2014, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy

I think that was his answer.

LOL! It wasn't a very good one.

Michael The Disciple · #6 04-30-2014, 08:20 PM

I can tell you the answer.

The Biblical doctrine of unmerited favor is far from what is commonly taught. There really is a sense in which "unmerited favor" is true.

Here is the best example.

9:9 For this is a word of promise, “At the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.”* 9:10 Not only so, but Rebecca also conceived by one, by our father Isaac. 9:11 For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls, 9:12 it was said to her, “The elder will serve the younger.”* 9:13 Even as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”* Rom. 9:9-13

Jacob had unmerited favor. Unmerited because it was given him NOT on the basis of anything he had done. He had not yet been born when it was given him. It was purely based on what God wanted to use him for.

That is the true doctrine of unmerited favor. All that the Lord has ordained to salvation have unmerited favor in that sense. God does not choose to save anyone based on their personal merit.

Now the way its commonly taught is that we can keep on sinning after we have been saved and its ok. We wont ever lose our salvation because its based on unmerited favor.

See the difference?

I look at it like this. Taking the whole counsel of God. Some are predestined to be saved. Nothing from their side about it. It was settled before the world was. God chose that he would draw them to Christ.

And yet AFTERWARDS, when they have become a new creation by giving them his Spirit they are THEN held accountable to doing his will.

So then they can MERIT his favor by actions they do or don't do.

Here is an example of how a Christian CAN merit grace.

5:5 Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”* 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:5-6

So a Christian CAN DO THINGS that will cause God to grant him favor.

IMO the part about "unmerited" favor is our choosing before the world was. We had no part in it.

It is generally taught that once saved always saved because God loves you unconditionally. Sins you commit are already under the blood because he loves you not because you merit it but just because God is merciful and kind.

So the true unmerited favor stemming from the doctrine of predestination is rejected across the board.

A distortion, that God loves without condition is then embraced and called "unmerited favor".

Carl · #7 04-30-2014, 08:55 PM

How could we be chosen before the world if we didn't exist before the world?

Pressing-On · #8 04-30-2014, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I can tell you the answer.

The Biblical doctrine of unmerited favor is far from what is commonly taught. There really is a sense in which "unmerited favor" is true.

Here is the best example.

9:9 For this is a word of promise, “At the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son.”* 9:10 Not only so, but Rebecca also conceived by one, by our father Isaac. 9:11 For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls, 9:12 it was said to her, “The elder will serve the younger.”* 9:13 Even as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”* Rom. 9:9-13

Jacob had unmerited favor. Unmerited because it was given him NOT on the basis of anything he had done. He had not yet been born when it was given him. It was purely based on what God wanted to use him for.

That is the true doctrine of unmerited favor. All that the Lord has ordained to salvation have unmerited favor in that sense. God does not choose to save anyone based on their personal merit.

Now the way its commonly taught is that we can keep on sinning after we have been saved and its ok. We wont ever lose our salvation because its based on unmerited favor.

See the difference?

I look at it like this. Taking the whole counsel of God. Some are predestined to be saved. Nothing from their side about it. It was settled before the world was. God chose that he would draw them to Christ.

And yet AFTERWARDS, when they have become a new creation by giving them his Spirit they are THEN held accountable to doing his will.

So then they can MERIT his favor by actions they do or don't do.

Here is an example of how a Christian CAN merit grace.

5:5 Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”* 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. 1 Peter 5:5-6

So a Christian CAN DO THINGS that will cause God to grant him favor.

IMO the part about "unmerited" favor is our choosing before the world was. We had no part in it.

It is generally taught that once saved always saved because God loves you unconditionally. Sins you commit are already under the blood because he loves you not because you merit it but just because God is merciful and kind.

So the true unmerited favor stemming from the doctrine of predestination is rejected across the board.

A distortion, that God loves without condition is then embraced and called "unmerited favor".

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my question. I appreciate you doing that.

I do especially agree with what you wrote in the bold.

However, I never really noticed the definition of "grace" in the past. I also thought if I looked it up, it would say, "unmerited favor", but it doesn't. Favour in the Bible is simply defined as "graciousness".

The definition sounds very beautiful and reminiscent of my view of God - graciousness, of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life;

Consider these scriptures:

God is gracious to us because of our faith.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

We are made just by his graciousness and made heirs to eternal life.

"That being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. - Titus 3:7

He loves us and gives us eternal comfort and good hope by his graciousness.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace," 2 Thessalonians

I may not be able to articulate my thoughts here, but I think that picking up our own term "unmerited favour" makes me believe that we have gone too far and taken liberty with the definition.

It makes me feel that underlying every beautiful act of God toward us in graciousness, a person is believing they didn't deserve it. Every time "grace" is mentioned, "undeserved" is it's twin. And that, I think, is negative and unjustified in our relationship with God.

When I talk to God, I never view myself as not deserving anything from him, because I have been adopted. And because He uses me in His kingdom, I can't feel undeserving. And I don't believe that God believes we don't deserve Him.

Do you see what I mean?

Praxeas · #9 04-30-2014, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I was wondering where we get the definition for “grace” as “unmerited favor”?

The Greek never defines "grace" as anything more than "graciousness". It comes from a root word meaning, “full of cheer”.

By "The Greek" what did you mean?

Here is Zodhaites Word Study

Words are defined not by dictionaries only but by context. All Strongs does is list how the KJV translators translated a word, not why.

cháris; gen. cháritos, fem. noun from chaírō (G5463), to rejoice. Grace, particularly that which causes joy, pleasure, gratification, favor, acceptance, for a kindness granted or desired, a benefit, thanks, gratitude.

A favor done without expectation of return; the absolutely free expression of the loving kindness of God to men finding its only motive in the bounty and benevolence of the Giver; unearned and unmerited favor. Cháris stands in direct antithesis to érga (G2041), works, the two being mutually exclusive.

God's grace affects man's sinfulness and not only forgives the repentant sinner, but brings joy and thankfulness to him. It changes the individual to a new creature without destroying his individuality (2Co_5:17; Eph_2:8-9).

(I) Cháris, when received by faith, transforms man and causes him to love and to seek after the righteousness of God. Cháris is initially regeneration, the work of the Holy Spirit in which spiritual life is given to man and by which his nature is brought under the dominion of righteousness. The maintenance of this condition requires an unbroken and immense supply of grace. Grace remains constant in, and basic to, a believer's fight without against the devil and his struggle within against sin. Renewal is stimulated and impelled by God's illuminating and strengthening of the soul, and will continue and increase so long as the soul perseveres. God's grace insures that those who have been truly regenerated will persevere until the end of life. This entire work is called sanctification, a work of God "whereby we are renewed in the whole man and are enabled more and more to die daily unto sin and to live unto righteousness" as is stated by the Westminster Shorter Catechism (Rom_12:2; 2Co_4:16; Eph_4:23; Col_3:10).
(II) Grace may also refer to the external form or manner, particularly of persons meaning gracefulness, elegance. In the NT only of words or discourses as gratefulness, agreeableness, acceptableness (Luk_4:22, "gracious words"; Eph_4:29, "that it may minister grace unto the hearers" meaning what is acceptable; Col_4:6; Sept.: Psa_45:2).

(III) Grace also means disposition, attitude toward another, favor, goodwill, benevolence.

(A) Generally (Luk_2:40, Luk_2:52; Sept.: Exo_33:12; Act_2:47, "having favor with all the people"; Act_4:33; Act_7:10; Sept.: Gen_39:21). With heurískō (G2147), to find grace or favor, pará Theṓ (pará [G3844], before; Theṓ [G2316], God), before God (Luk_1:30); enṓpion toú Theoú (enṓpion [G1799], before, in the presence of; toú Theoú, the God), "before God" Act_7:46; Heb_4:16; followed by pará (G3844), with, Sept.: Gen_6:9; Gen_18:3; Est_2:15). With katatíthēmi ([G2698] followed by the dat.), to place down, deposit or grace with someone, meaning to lay down, or lay up favor with someone, gain favor (Act_25:9). With the acc. pl. cháritas, to be in the good graces of the Jews (Act_24:27). Metonymically as the object of favor, something acceptable (1Pe_2:19-20, "this is well- pleasing to God" [a.t. {cf. Col_3:20; 1Ti_2:3; 1Ti_4:5}]).

(B) Of the grace, favor and goodwill of God and Christ as exercised toward men: where cháris is joined with eirḗnē (G1515), peace, éleos (G1656), mercy, and the like in salutations, including the idea of every kind of favor, blessing, good, as proceeding from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom_1:7; 1Co_1:3; 2Co_1:2; Gal_1:3). Also in the introduction to most of the epistles (Eph_1:2; Phi_1:2; Col_1:2; 1Th_1:1; 2Th_1:2; 1Ti_1:2; 2Ti_1:2; Tit_1:4; Phm_1:3; 1Pe_1:2; 2Pe_1:2; 2Jo_1:3; Rev_1:4). Also the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in the benedictions at the close of most of the epistles (Rom_16:20, Rom_16:24; 1Co_16:23; 2Co_13:14; Gal_6:18). Simply with the def. art. hē cháris with equal meaning (Eph_6:24; Col_4:18; 1Ti_6:21; 2Ti_4:22; Tit_3:15; Heb_13:25). Used by Christ in Luk_6:32-34, although the KJV translates cháris "thank" (the NASB, NKJV, NIV have "credit"); this word marks the difference between unbelievers and believers. Of Christ, generally (Act_15:11 "through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ" which indicates effective faith unto salvation (2Co_8:9; 1Ti_1:14). Of God, generally, meaning the gracious feeling of approbation, benignity and love, which God exercises toward any of the human race [cf. II]. Of God's unmerited favor, in the exercise of which He sovereignly and efficaciously confers upon sinful men the blessings of salvation. This is to be distinguished from His general goodness (chrēstós [G5543], gentle, gracious), by which He shows favor even to the unthankful and wicked (Luk_6:35) in conferring on them common blessings such as the sun (Mat_5:45). "The word of his grace" means the gospel of the grace of God, the good news of God's effective favor (Act_14:3, Act_14:26; Act_20:24 [cf. Act_15:40]). "Justified freely by His grace" refers to the forgiveness of sin and reconciliation to a holy God (Rom_3:24; Rom_5:2; 1Co_15:10; 2Co_1:12; 2Co_9:14; 2Co_12:9; Gal_1:15; Eph_1:6; Heb_2:9; 1Pe_4:10). With toú Theoú, of God, or with the like implied (Act_18:27; Rom_4:16; Rom_11:5-6; Rom_12:6; 2Th_2:16; Heb_2:9, "through the gracious counsel of God" [a.t.]; Heb_4:16). With en (G1722), in, followed by the dat. en cháriti, referring to the gift of Jesus Christ (Rom_5:15; Gal_1:6, the grace of God through Christ).

(C) Specifically of the divine grace and favor as exercised in conferring gifts, graces and benefits on man (2Co_4:15; 2Co_8:1; Jam_4:6; 1Pe_5:5). Particularly as manifested in the benefits bestowed in and through Christ and His gospel (Act_13:43; 2Co_6:1; Eph_4:7; Phi_1:7; 1Pe_1:10, 1Pe_1:13, "ye all are partakers of my grace" meaning "fellow partakers with me in the grace of the gospel" [a.t.]; Heb_12:15; Heb_13:9, "it is good that the heart be made steadfast in grace, not in meats" [a.t.] meaning in the grace of the gospel, the gospel doctrines [cf. Rom_14:15, Rom_14:17]). Specifically of the grace or gift of the apostleship, the apostolic office (Rom_12:3; Rom_15:15; 1Co_3:10; Gal_2:9; Eph_3:2, Eph_3:8; 2Ti_2:1); as exhibited in the pardon of sins and admission to the divine kingdom, saving grace; with toú Theoú, of God (Rom_5:15; Gal_2:21; Tit_2:11; 37 implied; 1Pe_3:7 "the grace of life"; 1Pe_5:12; simply in Rom_1:5; Rom_5:2, Rom_5:17, Rom_5:20-21; Rom_6:1, Rom_6:14-15, we are not under law but under grace; Gal_5:4; Eph_2:5, Eph_2:8, "by grace are you saved"; 1Pe_1:13); Heb_10:29, "the Spirit of grace," which is the gift and earnest of divine favor.

(IV) Grace, in act and deed, favor conferred, a kindness, benefit, benefaction.
(A) Generally (Act_25:3 in asking a favor against Paul, to be prejudiced against him, that he might be sent forth to Jerusalem; Rom_4:4). Of a gift, alms (1Co_16:3; 2Co_8:4, 2Co_8:6-7, 2Co_8:19).
(B) Of the various divine favors, benefits, blessings, gifts conferred on man through Christ and His gospel; generally (Joh_1:14, Joh_1:16-17; Act_11:23; 1Co_1:4; 2Co_9:8; Col_1:6; 1Pe_4:10; Jud_1:4).
(C) Metonymically for gratification or joy arising from a favor or benefit received (2Co_1:15; Phm_1:7).

(V) Gratitude, thanks. In the acc. with échō (G2192), to have. In Luk_17:9, it means that the employer does not owe thanks for an act not outside the realm of the farm worker's job description. In 1Ti_1:12; 2Ti_1:3; Heb_12:28, it means to give thanks, which is an acceptable service to God. Followed by tṓ Theṓ ([G2316], God), unto God meaning thanks be unto God (Rom_6:17; 1Co_15:57; 2Co_2:14; 2Co_8:16; 2Co_9:15). In the dat. cháriti meaning with thanks, thankfully (1Co_10:30 eucharistía [G2169], thankfulness or gratitude). With en (G1722), in, followed by the dat. en cháriti (Col_3:16, singing with thanks, thankfully in worship to the Lord).

Praxeas · #10 04-30-2014, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Can you answer the question as to where the term "unmerited favor" came into play? As I stated, the Greek doesn't have that in the definition.

If you think that you are schooled, then give me something.

om 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

2Ti 1:9 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