But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In a world consumed by pervasive wickedness, Noah didn't earn God's favor through perfect deeds, but "found" it as a precious gift. This highlights that even in the darkest times, God actively looks for and sets apart those who will walk with Him, not out of obligation, but out of His own unmerited goodness.
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The world had become overwhelmingly wicked, with violence filling the earth, prompting God to grieve and decide on a devastating flood to destroy all humanity. Amidst this pervasive corruption and divine judgment, Noah stood out as an exception, a righteous man who, through God's unmerited favor, was chosen to be preserved. This favor marked Noah and his family as the remnant through whom God would continue humanity and establish a new beginning.
In a world drowning in wickedness, one man found favor. What does it truly mean to 'find grace' in God's eyes?
The verse states, 'But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.' This is the very first time the word 'grace' appears in the Bible! It's crucial to understand that this wasn't about Noah earning points with God. The commentaries highlight that grace is God's unmerited favor. It's a gift, not a reward for Noah's actions, though his actions were a result of God's prevenient grace working in him.
The Source of Favor
The world around Noah was utterly wicked. How could one man stand against such overwhelming darkness?
Genesis 6 paints a stark picture: 'every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually' (Genesis 6:5). Violence filled the earth. In the midst of this, Noah 'found grace.' This highlights that Noah wasn't just 'not evil'; he was a distinct exception.
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Standing Apart
Understand the original words
chen · Hebrew Noun
Unmerited kindness or grace shown by a superior to an inferior; specifically, God’s gracious disposition toward a person that leads to His blessing or deliverance.
This verse stands as a beacon of hope amidst total global corruption. It highlights that even when humanity plunges into widespread wickedness, God's favor can still be found by an individual, initiating a path for redemption and a new beginning.
c. 2500 BC
Early Human Civilization
Humanity begins to multiply and spread across the earth, developing diverse cultures and societies.
c. 2400 BC— this verse
Widespread Wickedness and Violence
A pervasive atmosphere of evil, violence, and corruption engulfs humanity, leading God to grieve over His creation.
c. 2400 BC
God's Judgment Decreed
God resolves to destroy all life on earth due to its extreme corruption and violence.
c. 2350 BC
Noah Instructed to Build the Ark
God reveals His plan to Noah, commanding him to build an ark as a means of salvation for his family and preservation of life.
c. 2350 BC
The Flood Begins
The great flood commences, covering the earth and destroying all living creatures outside the ark.
The angel Gabriel tells Mary she has found favor with God, echoing the language used for Noah and highlighting that divine favor is a gift, not earned.
Acts 4:33This verse speaks of the apostles testifying with great power about the resurrection of Jesus and that 'great grace was upon them all,' showing how God's favor empowers his servants.
Ephesians 2:8-9Paul explicitly states that salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works, underscoring that Noah's finding favor was an act of God's unmerited kindness, not his own merit.
Hebrews 11:7This passage directly links Noah's faith to his obedience in building the ark, showing that finding favor with God often leads to a tangible response of action guided by that favor.
calvinGenesis 6:1-22: "And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,"
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
Gigantes fuerunt in terra in diebus illis: et etiam postquam ingressi sunt filii Dei ad filias hominum, genuerunt eis: isti sunt potentes, qui a saec…
gillGenesis 6:8: "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."
But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. This man and his family were the only exception to the general apostasy; God always reserves some, in the worst of times, for himself; there is a remnant, according to the election of grace; it was but a small one, and that now appeared; and this was owing to the grace of God, and his choice upon that, and not to the merits of the creature. This grace, which Noah found and shared in, was t…
In a world consumed by pervasive wickedness, Noah didn't earn God's favor through perfect deeds, but "found" it as a precious gift. This highlights that even in the darkest times, God actively looks for and sets apart those who will walk with Him, not out of obligation, but out of His own unmerited goodness.
The world had become overwhelmingly wicked, with violence filling the earth, prompting God to grieve and decide on a devastating flood to destroy all humanity. Amidst this pervasive corruption and divine judgment, Noah stood out as an exception, a righteous man who, through God's unmerited favor, was chosen to be preserved. This favor marked Noah and his family as the remnant through whom God would continue humanity and establish a new beginning.
The world had become overwhelmingly wicked, with violence filling the earth, prompting God to grieve and decide on a devastating flood to destroy all humanity. Amidst this pervasive corruption and divine judgment, Noah stood out as an exception, a righteous man who, through God's unmerited favor, was chosen to be preserved. This favor marked Noah and his family as the remnant through whom God would continue humanity and establish a new beginning.
"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." — In a world consumed by pervasive wickedness, Noah didn't earn God's favor through perfect deeds, but "found" it as a precious gift. This highlights that even in the darkest times, God actively look…
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Last reviewed October 2026