Proverbs 3:4 Commentary and Bible Study

It would seem that the correct way to interpret this verse would be this: the favour is that which you have from God, and the good understanding is that which you have from man. In other words, you maintain a good testimony, you keep consciously in your heart all the time, that God has blessed you, that you owe him your life, that he has saved your soul. You keep his laws and requirements consciously in your heart, and keep your testimony bright, and God will show you even more favour, and his smile will be upon you. But then there is a promise for ordinary men and women around you, unsaved people too. You bear a testimony, and you will find good understanding in their sight too. Now this does not contradict the fact that you may often be persecuted, you may often be hated, you may often be despised for your testimony, but you will get a good understanding from them. In other words, they will know where you are coming from. They will register who you are, that you belong to God. They will acknowledge, even if they keep it to themselves, that you have Christian character, that you are sincere, that you are genuine, that you are conscientious, that you are honest, that you are diligent. They will be forced to acknowledge these things. People will have to take account of you. You are a professing Christian, and you have a hold upon God, and hopefully they will hear that in your words and see it in the way you behave.