What Does Luke 1:30 Mean in the King James?

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Luke 1:30 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The verse places God’s favor in the very moment fear is being addressed.

THE MEANING

Fear is met with a name and a reason: God’s favor is already present. This favor is gracious regard received from God, so the verse speaks to you in the very moment fear is here.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

Fear means I am outside God’s favor.

THE ROOT

χάρις

charis

GROWS FROM

χαρ-

char-

Favor or gracious regard shown toward someone.

“favour” in this verse is charis. The Greek word carries the sense of gracious regard, and its word family also describes bestowing favor and a gracious gift. What Mary finds is God’s favor already directed toward her; it is not a status she has to manufacture.

ALSO GROWS

charitoō: To bestow favor or favor richly.

χαριτόω

Luke 1:28 uses this related word when Mary is called “highly favoured,” connecting the favor she finds here with favor bestowed on her.

charisma: A gracious gift.

χάρισμα

This related word shows favor taking the form of a gift, illuminating the regard Mary receives as something given.

THE PATTERN

God’s favor appears as a gift received, not a status established by effort.

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Genesis 6:8 · KJVNoah likewise “found grace” with God, presenting favor as something encountered in God’s regard.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Luke 1:28 · KJVThe same announcement describes Mary as highly favored, making God’s generous regard the ground of the greeting.

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Romans 11:6 · KJVThis verse states that grace rests on gift rather than on what effort can earn.

THE THREAD

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Luke 1:28 · KJV

Luke 1:28 uses Greek ⁨χαριτόω⁩ (charitoō, to bestow favor), from the same word family as ⁨χάρις⁩ (charis, favor) here. Together, the verses show favor as both bestowed and found, a present reality that meets the call not to fear.

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