Proverbs 3:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

NIV: Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

NASB: So you will find favor and a good reputation In the sight of God and man.

CSB: Then you will find favor and high regard with God and people.

NLT: Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

KJV: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

NKJV: And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

Love of God and dependability will result in favor and good success in God's sight, and in man's sight too. As with all statements in wisdom literature, the point is not meant to be taken as an absolute promise in all situations. Rather, this flows from the general idea that following God's will results in better results than to defy Him.

The Hebrew word for "favor" comes from a verb meaning "to be gracious or to show favor." The word can be translated "grace" or "kindhearted" or "charm," and carries the idea of popularity or approval.

To have "good success" is to enjoy a reputation as a competent, wise, effective person. At age 12 Jesus exemplified what it means to find favor and good success in God's sight and in man's sight too. Luke 2:40 says He "grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him." The chapter closes with the statement, "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52). One of the qualifications for an overseer is this: "he must be well thought of by outsiders" (1 Timothy 3:7). Every church needs men who love God and are dependable so their reputation in the sight of God and man will be blameless.

Proverbs 3:1–12 is an exhortation from Solomon to his son, urging him to heed his teaching and trust wholeheartedly in the Lord. He cites some of the valuable results of obedience and trust. This section builds on the counsel Solomon gave in Proverbs 2. The following section describes the blessings that come to those who find wisdom and understanding.

This chapter of Proverbs is addressed to Solomon's son. The term, ''my son'' occurs 15 times in chapters 1—7. The words may apply to one of Solomon's students in his court or to one of his biological sons. The application of wisdom in Proverbs 3 shows the benefits of trusting in the Lord with one's whole heart. Solomon credits obedience to and trust in God for longevity, success, guidance, health, reward that exceeds monetary wealth, enjoyment, peace, security, confidence, excellent human relationships, the Lord's blessing and favor, and honor. As with all ''proverbs,'' biblical or otherwise, their purpose is to impart general wisdom, not absolute prophecy. Like the original audience, modern readers are not expected to see these guidelines as absolute guarantees for any one person.

This passage lies in the second section of the book, found in chapters 1—9. The author, King Solomon, reigned over Israel from 971 to 931 BC. The first section of Proverbs, the preface, is found in Proverbs 1:1–7. The third section, chapters 10—22, were also written by Solomon. These proverbs were likely written by Solomon in his middle years, whereas he probably wrote Song of Songs in his early adulthood, and Ecclesiastes near the end of his life. As in the first two chapters, wisdom is stressed in Proverbs 3.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.