Tobit 12:18 - For I came not of any favor of my own, but by the will of your God. Therefore bless him forever.

Generated Verse: Tobit 12:18

What does "Tobit 12:18" mean?


This verse from Tobit 12:18 is spoken by the angel Raphael as he is about to depart from Tobit and his son Tobias. It essentially means:

"For I came not of any favor of my own...": Raphael isn't acting on his own accord or out of personal desire. He didn't decide to come and help Tobit and Tobias because he felt like it.

"...but by the will of your God.": His presence and actions were entirely determined by God's will and command. He was sent by God to fulfill a specific purpose in their lives.

"Therefore bless him forever.": Because Raphael's actions were God's will made manifest, and because God was the source of their blessings and deliverance, they should praise and glorify God eternally. The focus should be on giving thanks and reverence to God who orchestrated the events.

In simpler terms:

Raphael is saying, "Don't thank me; thank God. I was only doing what God told me to do. He is the one who deserves all the praise and glory."

Key takeaway:

The verse emphasizes that divine intervention is an act of God's grace and will, not something earned by individuals. Consequently, all gratitude and praise should be directed towards God, the ultimate source of goodness and salvation.