Introduction

A sister in Christ recently brought up this phrase, stating that someone who’s a Christian would say this all the time when someone asked how they were doing. I have heard the phrase but not for over thirty years; or maybe I just wasn’t paying attention recently.

She wanted to know what this really means and, being the inquisitive person that I am, I searched for answers. I found two articles; one that seemed to hit the nail on the head featuring scripture, and the other who’s sole resource was Google, with no scripture, and just a speculative conclusion.

With that in mind, here’s my research and my conclusion which includes looking at the bible for answers. The results may surprise you!

Definition of words

This Webster’s dictionary, available online, is usually my go-to source for definitions of words. The meaning of some, if not most, words change over the decades primarily to suit the changing times or one’s agenda. My advice, the older the dictionary, the closer to the real meaning of the word, especially bible words.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary

BLESS’ED, adjective Happy; prosperous in worldly affairs; enjoying spiritual happiness and the favor of God; enjoying heavenly felicity.

FA’VORED

1. Countenanced; supported; aided; supplied with advantages; eased; spared.

2. adjective Regarded with kindness; as a favored friend.

Blessed bles’-ed (barukh): Where God is referred to, this word has the sense of “praise,” as in 1 Sam. 25:32, “Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel.” But where man is in mind it is used in the sense of “happy” or “favored,” and most frequently so in the Psalms and the Gospels, as for example, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked” (Ps 1:1); “Blessed art thou among women” (Lu 1:42); “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Mt 5:3). (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

Highly favored (Albert Barnes’ Commentary) By being the mother of the long-expected Messiah–the mother of the Redeemer of mankind. Long had he been predicted; long had the eyes of the nation been turned to him, and long had his coming been an object of intense desire. To be reckoned among his ancestors was accounted sufficient honour for even Abraham and David.

What does the bible say about Highly favored?

From Barnes’ commentary, above, the phrase highly-favored is in referenced to Mary, the mother of Jesus. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” (Luke 1:28) As far as I can tell, no other person was referred to this before nor after Mary.

Also, consider, only three women are mentioned in the lineage of Christ; Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth (Mt. 1:3-5). None of them were referred to as highly favored by God. They didn’t even know that they were part of this lineage either.

Furthermore, Mary never once went around to her neighbors declaring herself “blessed and highly favored”. She would have known that this was the wrong thing to do. Given that she was pregnant but not yet lay with her own husband, she would have been seen an “unwell” woman and put away in an asylum or something. She only shared the news with her husband and Elizabeth, her cousin, who also was pregnant with John.

What does the bible say about being blessed?

Going to the beatitudes, Jesus gave a list of those who are blessed (Mt. 5:3-11). Looking back at the ISBE definition of blessed, it states that blessed and favored are, essentially, the same thing. So, to them together, is a little redundant.

Conclusion

True Christians would never use this phrase as they try to elevate themselves above the rest. “You may be blessed, but I’m blessed and highly favored.” Sound a lot like the prayer of the pharisee in Luke 18:11).

It’s the same thing as calling yourself a “born-again Christian”. Again, a redundant phrase as all Christians are born again (1 Pet. 1:22-23). It’s also a way to elevate themselves into being some more special that just your average Christian. Both phrases should be avoided in use. If someone comes at you with either phrase, challenge them to explain it from scripture. They, most likely, will not be able to do so.