Proverbs 27 Study Notes: Friendship, Humility, and Diligence
These sayings warn against presuming on the future and praising oneself, and they value a friend's honest correction over an enemy's flattery. They picture friends sharpening one another, the heart revealing the person, and a shepherd tending his flocks because riches do not last.
General
What reason does 27:1 give for not bragging about tomorrow?
Answer: No one knows what a single day will hold
The saying forbids bragging about tomorrow because no one can know what even one day will hold (27:1). The future is in God's hands, not ours. James applies the same truth to merchants making confident business plans: they cannot know what lies ahead, and their life is like a mist that soon disappears (James 4:13-14), so they should plan while saying they will act if the Lord wills (James 4:15). Jesus told of a rich man who planned years of comfort but died that very night (Luke 12:19-20).
- Proverbs 27:1 (BSB)“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”A warning against bragging about the future, since no one knows what a day will bring.
- James 4:13-14 (BSB)“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”James rebukes confident business plans because no one knows what tomorrow holds and life is a passing mist.
- James 4:15 (BSB)“Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.””James teaches believers to make plans in submission to the Lord's will.
- Luke 12:19-20 (BSB)“Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’”Jesus tells of a rich man who planned years of ease but died that same night.
Theological
On what ground does 27:1 forbid boasting about tomorrow?
Answer: No one knows what a single day will hold
Boasting about tomorrow is forbidden because the content of even a single day lies beyond human knowledge (27:1); the future belongs to God's sovereign ordering, not to human presumption. James echoes this proverb in rebuking confident commercial planning, reminding his readers of life's brevity (James 4:13-14) and commending plans made in conscious submission to the Lord's will (James 4:15). Jesus' parable of the rich fool shows the folly of presuming on years God has not granted (Luke 12:19-20).
- Proverbs 27:1 (BSB)“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”A warning against bragging about the future, since no one knows what a day will bring.
- James 4:13-14 (BSB)“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”James rebukes confident business plans because no one knows what tomorrow holds and life is a passing mist.
- James 4:15 (BSB)“Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.””James teaches believers to make plans in submission to the Lord's will.
- Luke 12:19-20 (BSB)“Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’”Jesus tells of a rich man who planned years of ease but died that same night.
General
In 27:20, what is like Sheol and Abaddon in never being full?
Answer: Human eyes, always wanting more
Sheol, the realm of the dead, and Abaddon, the place of destruction, never stop taking in more; human eyes are the same, never content with what they see or gain (27:20). Desire left to itself is endless. Ecclesiastes says the eye never has enough of seeing (Ecclesiastes 1:8) and the lover of money never has enough money (Ecclesiastes 5:10), and John warns that the craving of the eyes comes from the world rather than from God the Father (1 John 2:16).
- Proverbs 27:20 (BSB)“Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”Human eyes are as insatiable as the realm of the dead and destruction.
- Ecclesiastes 1:8 (BSB)“All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing.”The eye never has enough of seeing.
- Ecclesiastes 5:10 (BSB)“He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile.”The lover of money never has enough money.
- 1 John 2:16 (BSB)“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.”The craving of the eyes comes from the world rather than from God the Father.
Theological
What does 27:20 liken to the insatiability of Sheol and Abaddon?
Answer: Human eyes, always wanting more
As Sheol and Abaddon endlessly receive the dead, so human eyes are never sated (27:20): fallen desire has no natural limit. Ecclesiastes observes the insatiable eye (1:8) and the unsatisfied lover of wealth (5:10), and John identifies the craving of the eyes as belonging to the world rather than to the Father (1 John 2:16).
- Proverbs 27:20 (BSB)“Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”Human eyes are as insatiable as the realm of the dead and destruction.
- Ecclesiastes 1:8 (BSB)“All things are wearisome, more than one can describe; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear content with hearing.”The eye never has enough of seeing.
- Ecclesiastes 5:10 (BSB)“He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile.”The lover of money never has enough money.
- 1 John 2:16 (BSB)“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.”The craving of the eyes comes from the world rather than from God the Father.
General
According to 27:5-6, why is a friend's painful honesty better than an enemy's affection?
Answer: The friend's hurt comes from loyalty, while the enemy's kisses hide deceit
Honest correction is better than love that never speaks up (27:5). When a friend says something that hurts, the wound comes from faithfulness; an enemy may shower you with kisses while he intends harm (27:6). The one who corrects will later be valued more than the flatterer (28:23), and the psalmist welcomed correction from a righteous person as a kindness, like soothing oil on the head (Psalm 141:5). The starkest example of a deceitful kiss is Judas, who used a kiss as the signal for Jesus' arrest (Matthew 26:48-49).
- Proverbs 27:5-6 (BSB)“Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”Honest rebuke is better than hidden love, and a friend's wounds are faithful while an enemy's kisses deceive.
- Proverbs 28:23 (BSB)“He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.”The one who corrects will later be valued more than the flatterer.
- Psalm 141:5 (BSB)“Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.”The psalmist welcomes a righteous person's correction as a kindness, like soothing oil.
- Matthew 26:48-49 (BSB)“Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.”Judas used a kiss as the signal for Jesus' arrest.
Theological
What reason do 27:5-6 give for preferring a friend's wounding honesty to an enemy's affection?
Answer: The friend's hurt comes from loyalty, while the enemy's kisses hide deceit
Open reproof surpasses love that stays silent (27:5): a friend's wounds proceed from faithfulness, while an enemy's profuse kisses mask deceit (27:6). Proverbs 28:23 observes that the one who reproves will in the end be more welcome than the flatterer, and the psalmist receives the rebuke of the righteous as a kindness and as oil for his head (Psalm 141:5). Judas' kiss of betrayal is the supreme instance of an enemy's deceitful affection (Matthew 26:48-49).
- Proverbs 27:5-6 (BSB)“Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”Honest rebuke is better than hidden love, and a friend's wounds are faithful while an enemy's kisses deceive.
- Proverbs 28:23 (BSB)“He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.”The one who corrects will later be valued more than the flatterer.
- Psalm 141:5 (BSB)“Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.”The psalmist welcomes a righteous person's correction as a kindness, like soothing oil.
- Matthew 26:48-49 (BSB)“Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” Going directly to Jesus, he said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.”Judas used a kiss as the signal for Jesus' arrest.
General
What does 27:10 advise about friends and family in a time of trouble?
Answer: Keep old friendships, for a close neighbor may help more than a distant brother
Pleasant oil and incense gladden the heart, and so does the sincere advice of a friend (27:9). The saying urges loyalty to your own friends and to your family's long-standing friends, and it notes that in a crisis a neighbor close at hand may be more help than a relative who is far away (27:10). Proverbs describes a friend who loves in every season (17:17) and one more faithful than a brother (18:24).
- Proverbs 27:9-10 (BSB)“Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the counsel of a friend is sweetness to the soul. Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.”A friend's counsel gladdens the soul, and a nearby neighbor can help more than a distant relative.
- Proverbs 17:17 (BSB)“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”A true friend loves in every season.
- Proverbs 18:24 (BSB)“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.”There is a friend more faithful than a brother.
Theological
What counsel does 27:10 give concerning friends and kin when disaster strikes?
Answer: Keep old friendships, for a close neighbor may help more than a distant brother
Like oil and incense, a friend's earnest counsel delights the soul (27:9). The sage urges steadfast loyalty to one's own and one's father's friends, observing that in calamity a neighbor near at hand is of more use than a kinsman far off (27:10). Proverbs 17:17 describes the friend whose love is constant, and 18:24 the friend more faithful than a brother.
- Proverbs 27:9-10 (BSB)“Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the counsel of a friend is sweetness to the soul. Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.”A friend's counsel gladdens the soul, and a nearby neighbor can help more than a distant relative.
- Proverbs 17:17 (BSB)“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”A true friend loves in every season.
- Proverbs 18:24 (BSB)“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.”There is a friend more faithful than a brother.
General
According to 27:3-4, what is heavier than stone and sand, and what is harder to stand against than cruel wrath?
Answer: A fool's provocation, and then jealousy
Stone and sand are heavy loads, but the irritation a fool causes is heavier still (27:3). Fury is harsh and rage overwhelms like a flood, yet jealousy is even harder to stand against (27:4). Proverbs shows a jealous husband's fury refusing all mercy (6:34), and James warns that envy and self-seeking breed disorder and all sorts of evil (James 3:16).
- Proverbs 27:3-4 (BSB)“A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both. Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?”A fool's provocation outweighs heavy loads, and jealousy is harder to withstand than wrath.
- Proverbs 6:34 (BSB)“For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance.”A jealous husband's fury is shown refusing all mercy.
- James 3:16 (BSB)“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.”James warns that envy and self-seeking produce disorder and evil of every kind.
Theological
What do 27:3-4 name as heavier than stone and sand, and as more irresistible than wrath?
Answer: A fool's provocation, and then jealousy
The vexation a fool provokes outweighs stone and sand (27:3), and jealousy is more overwhelming than cruel wrath or flooding anger (27:4). Proverbs 6:34 depicts the implacable fury of a jealous husband, and James traces disorder and every vile practice to envy and selfish rivalry (James 3:16).
- Proverbs 27:3-4 (BSB)“A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a fool outweighs them both. Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy?”A fool's provocation outweighs heavy loads, and jealousy is harder to withstand than wrath.
- Proverbs 6:34 (BSB)“For jealousy enrages a husband, and he will show no mercy in the day of vengeance.”A jealous husband's fury is shown refusing all mercy.
- James 3:16 (BSB)“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.”James warns that envy and self-seeking produce disorder and evil of every kind.
General
What does the image of iron on iron in 27:17 teach?
Answer: People grow sharper and wiser through honest dealings with others
Just as one iron blade is used to hone another, people sharpen one another through conversation, counsel, and even friction (27:17). Growth in wisdom is not meant to happen alone. Proverbs says walking with the wise makes a person wise (13:20), Ecclesiastes says a pair outdoes a lone worker because each can help the other up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10), and Hebrews calls believers to consider how to urge each other toward love and good works and to keep gathering together (Hebrews 10:24-25).
- Proverbs 27:17 (BSB)“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”One person sharpens another as iron hones iron.
- Proverbs 13:20 (BSB)“He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.”Walking with the wise makes a person wise.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (BSB)“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!”A companion can lift up one who falls.
- Hebrews 10:24-25 (BSB)“And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”Believers are to stir one another toward love and good works and keep meeting together.
Theological
What does 27:17 teach through the image of iron honing iron?
Answer: People grow sharper and wiser through honest dealings with others
As iron hones iron, one person sharpens the character and judgment of another (27:17); sanctifying growth in wisdom is communal. Proverbs 13:20 ties wisdom to companionship with the wise, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 commends companionship for mutual help, and Hebrews 10:24-25 charges believers to urge each other toward love and good works and to keep gathering together.
- Proverbs 27:17 (BSB)“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”One person sharpens another as iron hones iron.
- Proverbs 13:20 (BSB)“He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.”Walking with the wise makes a person wise.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (BSB)“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!”A companion can lift up one who falls.
- Hebrews 10:24-25 (BSB)“And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”Believers are to stir one another toward love and good works and keep meeting together.
General
What reason do 27:23-24 give for keeping a careful watch over flocks and herds?
Answer: Wealth does not last, and even a crown may not pass to the next generation
The shepherd is told to know his animals' condition and watch his herds carefully (27:23), because wealth is not permanent and even royal power does not last from generation to generation (27:24). Faithful care of what you have, rather than relying on stored riches, provides for the household: after the hay is cut and new grass comes up, the lambs give clothing, the goats pay for land, and there is milk for everyone in the home (27:25-27). Proverbs warns that riches can sprout wings and fly away (23:4-5), and Paul tells the rich not to set their hope on uncertain wealth but on God, the generous Giver of all good things (1 Timothy 6:17).
- Proverbs 27:23-24 (BSB)“Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.”The shepherd must watch his flocks carefully, because wealth and royal power do not last.
- Proverbs 27:25-27 (BSB)“When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.”Faithful care of the flock provides clothing, land, and food for the household.
- Proverbs 23:4-5 (BSB)“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.”Riches are pictured sprouting wings and flying away.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 (BSB)“Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.”Paul tells the rich not to hope in uncertain wealth but in God.
Theological
What rationale do 27:23-24 give for diligent attention to one's flocks and herds?
Answer: Wealth does not last, and even a crown may not pass to the next generation
Diligent oversight of the flock is commanded (27:23) because accumulated wealth is transient and even a crown does not endure through every generation (27:24). Steady stewardship of a renewable livelihood, not reliance on stored riches, sustains the household with clothing, the price of land, and ample milk (27:25-27). Proverbs 23:4-5 depicts riches flying off like an eagle, and Paul directs the wealthy to hope not in uncertain riches but in the generous God (1 Timothy 6:17).
- Proverbs 27:23-24 (BSB)“Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.”The shepherd must watch his flocks carefully, because wealth and royal power do not last.
- Proverbs 27:25-27 (BSB)“When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed you—food for your household and nourishment for your maidservants.”Faithful care of the flock provides clothing, land, and food for the household.
- Proverbs 23:4-5 (BSB)“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.”Riches are pictured sprouting wings and flying away.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 (BSB)“Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.”Paul tells the rich not to hope in uncertain wealth but in God.
General
True or False: 27:2 advises that praise should come from someone else rather than from yourself.
Answer: True
This is true. The saying tells the reader to let another person, even a stranger, do the praising rather than praising himself (27:2). The same concern appears in 25:27, which says seeking one's own honor is not good. Paul says true approval does not belong to the person who recommends himself but to the one the Lord recommends (2 Corinthians 10:18).
- Proverbs 27:2 (BSB)“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.”Praise should come from another person, even a stranger, not from oneself.
- Proverbs 25:27 (BSB)“It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.”An earlier saying in this same collection says seeking one's own glory is not good.
- 2 Corinthians 10:18 (BSB)“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”Paul says approval belongs to the one the Lord commends, not the self-promoter.
Theological
True or False: 27:2 directs that commendation should come from another rather than from oneself.
Answer: True
This is true. Self-praise is excluded; commendation should come from another, even a stranger (27:2). Proverbs 25:27 similarly treats the pursuit of one's own glory as unwholesome. Paul grounds the principle theologically: approval that counts is the Lord's commendation, not self-commendation (2 Corinthians 10:18).
- Proverbs 27:2 (BSB)“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.”Praise should come from another person, even a stranger, not from oneself.
- Proverbs 25:27 (BSB)“It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.”An earlier saying in this same collection says seeking one's own glory is not good.
- 2 Corinthians 10:18 (BSB)“For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”Paul says approval belongs to the one the Lord commends, not the self-promoter.
General
What does 27:14 say about a person who loudly blesses his neighbor at the crack of dawn?
Answer: His noisy greeting is taken as a curse rather than a kindness
Good words can be spoiled by poor timing and manner. A blessing shouted at a neighbor at daybreak ends up regarded as a curse rather than a kindness (27:14): words that ignore the hearer's situation, or praise so overdone that it sounds insincere, become a burden instead of a gift. Proverbs delights in a word that suits its moment (15:23), and Paul describes love as neither rude nor self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13:4-5) and urges believers to care about what others need, not only their own concerns (Philippians 2:4).
- Proverbs 27:14 (BSB)“If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.”A blessing shouted at a neighbor at daybreak is regarded as a curse.
- Proverbs 15:23 (BSB)“A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!”Proverbs delights in a word that suits its moment.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (BSB)“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.”Paul describes love as neither rude nor self-seeking.
- Philippians 2:4 (BSB)“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”Paul urges believers to care about what others need, not only their own concerns.
Theological
What does 27:14 say about the one who blesses his neighbor at the top of his voice at first light?
Answer: His noisy greeting is taken as a curse rather than a kindness
Even a blessing turns into a curse when delivered without regard for its hearer: bellowed at daybreak, whether as tactless noise or as effusive praise that rings false, it is reckoned as a curse rather than a kindness (27:14). Proverbs prizes the word fitted to its occasion (15:23), and Paul defines love as neither rude nor self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13:4-5), attentive to what others need and not only to one's own concerns (Philippians 2:4).
- Proverbs 27:14 (BSB)“If one blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be counted to him as a curse.”A blessing shouted at a neighbor at daybreak is regarded as a curse.
- Proverbs 15:23 (BSB)“A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!”Proverbs delights in a word that suits its moment.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (BSB)“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.”Paul describes love as neither rude nor self-seeking.
- Philippians 2:4 (BSB)“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”Paul urges believers to care about what others need, not only their own concerns.
General
What principle does 27:18 draw from tending a fig tree?
Answer: Faithful care brings its reward, in an orchard or in serving a master
The one who looks after a fig tree gets to eat its figs, and the servant who faithfully serves his master gains honor (27:18). Diligent, faithful service is rewarded. Paul uses the same logic: a farmer who toils has the first right to the harvest (2 Timothy 2:6), and those who serve wholeheartedly with the Lord in view will be given an inheritance by Him as their reward (Colossians 3:23-24).
- Proverbs 27:18 (BSB)“Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.”The one who tends a fig tree eats its fruit, and the faithful servant is honored.
- 2 Timothy 2:6 (BSB)“The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.”Paul says the farmer who toils has the first right to the harvest.
- Colossians 3:23-24 (BSB)“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”Those who serve wholeheartedly with the Lord in view receive an inheritance from Him.
Theological
What principle does 27:18 state through the image of the fig tree?
Answer: Faithful care brings its reward, in an orchard or in serving a master
Faithful tending yields fruit, and faithful service to a master yields honor (27:18). Paul applies the same principle to gospel labor, giving the toiling farmer first share of the crop (2 Timothy 2:6), and assures servants who work wholeheartedly for the Lord that they will receive the inheritance as their reward (Colossians 3:23-24), a reward of grace for service rendered to Christ.
- Proverbs 27:18 (BSB)“Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.”The one who tends a fig tree eats its fruit, and the faithful servant is honored.
- 2 Timothy 2:6 (BSB)“The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.”Paul says the farmer who toils has the first right to the harvest.
- Colossians 3:23-24 (BSB)“Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”Those who serve wholeheartedly with the Lord in view receive an inheritance from Him.
General
According to 27:21, how is a person tested, as silver and gold are tested by fire?
Answer: By the praise others give him
Silver is refined in a crucible and gold in a furnace; likewise the praise a person receives shows what he is made of (27:21). Some grow proud and are spoiled by acclaim; others stay humble and give God the honor. Proverbs uses the same refining picture to say that the LORD tests hearts (17:3). Jesus warned of danger when everyone speaks well of you (Luke 6:26), and John records that some leaders who would not openly confess Jesus loved human approval more than approval from God (John 12:42-43).
- Proverbs 27:21 (BSB)“A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.”As fire tests silver and gold, praise tests a person.
- Proverbs 17:3 (BSB)“A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.”The same refining picture is used to say that the LORD tests hearts.
- Luke 6:26 (BSB)“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers treated the false prophets in the same way.”Jesus warns of danger when everyone speaks well of you.
- John 12:42-43 (BSB)“Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.”Some leaders would not confess Jesus openly because they loved human approval more than approval from God.
Theological
According to 27:21, by what is a man tested, as silver and gold are tested in crucible and furnace?
Answer: By the praise others give him
As the crucible and furnace assay silver and gold, the praise a man receives assays his character (27:21): acclaim reveals whether he seeks his own glory or God's. Proverbs 17:3 uses the same refining imagery for the LORD's testing of hearts. Jesus pronounces woe when all speak well of His disciples (Luke 6:26), and John records leaders who would not confess Christ because they preferred human glory to God's (John 12:42-43).
- Proverbs 27:21 (BSB)“A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him.”As fire tests silver and gold, praise tests a person.
- Proverbs 17:3 (BSB)“A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.”The same refining picture is used to say that the LORD tests hearts.
- Luke 6:26 (BSB)“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers treated the false prophets in the same way.”Jesus warns of danger when everyone speaks well of you.
- John 12:42-43 (BSB)“Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.”Some leaders would not confess Jesus openly because they loved human approval more than approval from God.
General
True or False: 27:19 teaches that a person's outward appearance is the best guide to who he really is.
Answer: False
This is false. As still water gives back the image of a face, a person's heart reveals what a person truly is (27:19). The heart, not the outward appearance, shows the real self. Proverbs urges guarding the heart because life flows out of it (4:23), and Jesus taught that the mouth speaks out of whatever fills the heart (Luke 6:45). When Samuel looked at Jesse's sons, the LORD told him that He looks on the heart rather than on how a person looks (1 Samuel 16:7).
- Proverbs 27:19 (BSB)“As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.”As water gives back the image of a face, the heart shows what a person truly is.
- Proverbs 4:23 (BSB)“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.”The father urges guarding the heart because life flows out of it.
- Luke 6:45 (BSB)“The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”Jesus teaches that what fills the heart comes out in speech and deeds.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (BSB)“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.””The LORD tells Samuel He looks on the heart rather than outward appearance.
Theological
True or False: According to 27:19, outward appearance is the truest reflection of a person.
Answer: False
This is false. As water mirrors a face, the heart mirrors the real man (27:19): a person is what he is inwardly. Proverbs 4:23 makes the heart the wellspring of life, Jesus teaches that speech and conduct flow from the heart's treasury (Luke 6:45), and the LORD's word to Samuel sets divine regard for the heart against human regard for appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).
- Proverbs 27:19 (BSB)“As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man.”As water gives back the image of a face, the heart shows what a person truly is.
- Proverbs 4:23 (BSB)“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.”The father urges guarding the heart because life flows out of it.
- Luke 6:45 (BSB)“The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”Jesus teaches that what fills the heart comes out in speech and deeds.
- 1 Samuel 16:7 (BSB)“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.””The LORD tells Samuel He looks on the heart rather than outward appearance.
General
True or False: In 27:11, the father says a wise son would bring him joy and give him a reply to those who mock him.
Answer: True
This is true. The father appeals to his son to be wise so that his own heart will be glad and he will have a reply for anyone who scorns him (27:11). A son's wise living shows that the father's teaching was sound. The collection of Solomon's proverbs opens with the same thought, that a wise son gladdens his father (10:1), and the father of 23:15-16 rejoices when his son's heart is wise. The elder who wrote 3 John says nothing gave him more joy than hearing his spiritual children were living by the truth (3 John 4).
- Proverbs 27:11 (BSB)“Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.”The father appeals to his son to be wise so that he can rejoice and answer his critics.
- Proverbs 10:1 (BSB)“The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.”Solomon's collection opens with the joy a wise son brings his father.
- Proverbs 23:15-16 (BSB)“My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will indeed rejoice. My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.”A father rejoices when his son's heart is wise and his lips speak rightly.
- 3 John 1:4 (BSB)“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”The elder rejoices above all to hear that his spiritual children are walking in truth.
Theological
True or False: The father in 27:11 says his son's wisdom would gladden him and supply an answer to his reproachers.
Answer: True
This is true. The son's wisdom would both gladden the father and vindicate him against those who reproach him (27:11); the fruit of instruction answers its critics. Proverbs 10:1 opens the Solomonic collection on this note, and 23:15-16 describes the father's inward joy at a son's wise heart and upright speech. The elder of 3 John expresses the same parental joy in spiritual children who walk in the truth (3 John 4).
- Proverbs 27:11 (BSB)“Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I can answer him who taunts me.”The father appeals to his son to be wise so that he can rejoice and answer his critics.
- Proverbs 10:1 (BSB)“The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.”Solomon's collection opens with the joy a wise son brings his father.
- Proverbs 23:15-16 (BSB)“My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will indeed rejoice. My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.”A father rejoices when his son's heart is wise and his lips speak rightly.
- 3 John 1:4 (BSB)“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”The elder rejoices above all to hear that his spiritual children are walking in truth.