Posted by Jeff Short on August 22, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
– Proverbs 16:24
The word for
pleasant means agreeable and even beautiful. Such words are compared here to honey, which is sweet to the taste and also nourishing to the body. Well spoken words of wisdom differ from flattery. Flattery sounds good, so it might be said to be sweet to the taste but ends bitterly (Proverbs 5:3-4). The contrast of the effects of words is made directly elsewhere in Proverbs (Proverbs 12:18; 15:26). This proverb speaks specifically to the blessing of wise speech (Proverbs 15:23; 23:16; 25:11-12; 27:9). Wisdom is of great value because it is not only aesthetically pleasing but soul nourishing and life saving (Proverbs 24:13-14).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 19, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
– Proverbs 16:23
The use of
heart here refers to the mind, as is common in Proverbs. The first phrase means that wisdom informs and constrains speech. Wise speech is a mark of a wise heart (Proverbs 15:28). The word for
learning includes the idea of persuasion. This proverb is akin to verse 21 and highlights the worth of listening to wisdom (Proverbs 22:17-18).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
– Proverbs 16:22
The word for
understanding means prudence, or good sense. It appears several times in Proverbs and throughout the Old Testament. It was the word used to describe Abigail in 1 Samuel 25:3. We would say she had a good head on her shoulders. Practical wisdom is a life giving blessing (Proverbs 3:22; 14:30), as
wellspring of life indicates (Proverbs 10:11; 13:14; 14:27; 18:4). The second phrase is a contrast to the life giving blessing of wisdom. The word for
instruction means chastisement, or reproof. Such correction coming from
fools is useless, worthless (Proverbs 15:2, 28). If we press the antithetical parallel further, rather than giving life, folly leads to destruction and death (Proverbs 5:23; 14:1).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
– Proverbs 16:21
Being
called prudent means the
wise are recognized for their wisdom. The word for
prudent means discernment and reflects the ability to distinguish things in the mind to arrive at accurate perception and understanding. The prudent are able to understand dark sayings and difficult words (Proverbs 1:5-6). His way is thoughtful and examined, and so he perceives and avoids danger (Proverbs 14:8, 15-16). The word for
sweetness means pleasantness. It could be thought of as eloquence, but since it
increaseth learning, it is more likely something well-stated. The word for
learning means teaching and includes the idea of persuasiveness. The summary truth of the proverb is that men known for wisdom will have influence with their words. They are worth paying attention to (Proverbs 16:23; 1:5; 8:33; 19:20; 22:17; 23:19).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
– Proverbs 16:20
The word for
matter means a word, or something spoken. Here it refers to instruction, and we may infer it is the instruction of wisdom. The first phrase speaks of receiving instruction
wisely, or prudently. The second phrase promises the blessing of the Lord. If a man receives the instruction of wisdom well, he will be blessed of the Lord (Proverbs 13:15; 19:8; 24:3-5).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
– Proverbs 16:19
This proverb continues with the thought of the previous one. Pride precedes destruction and, therefore, it is better to be humble. The word for
humble means low and the word for
lowly means poor. To
divide the spoil with the proud is to share in the product of their wicked schemes and oppressions (Proverbs 1:8-19). Being oppressed by the proud is better than oppressing with them. Even if being poor, being humble more prepares one for God’s blessing (Proverbs 15:33; James 4:6).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 12, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
– Proverbs 16:18
The word for
pride means arrogance, as in insolent arrogance. It is human self-confidence that is put with others human attitudes and activities God hates (Proverbs 8:13; 16:5). The word for
destruction means a crushing ruin and
fall is close to a stumbling ruin. The word for
haughty mean exalted, or elevated. It’s descriptive of having a higher view of oneself than justified. Such highness is ripe to be brought low (Proverbs 18:12). It is the opposite of the humility that attains wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 11:2).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
– Proverbs 16:17
The word for
highway means a road or course and is used figuratively for course of life. Departing from
evil has a moral overtone and sums to more than simply avoiding pitfalls (Proverbs 16:6). The word for
upright means straight and the way is obviously a straight and righteous way (Proverbs 11:3). The word for
preserveth means to hedge about, or to guard. The second phrase is more than security in the sense of walking safely (Proverbs 10:9). By guarding his way, the upright man is guarding his soul (Proverbs 19:16).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Posted by Jeff Short on August 9, 2017 · Leave a Comment
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
– Proverbs 16:16
Verse 16 starts a new group of proverbs themed around general wisdom. This group goes through verse 30 and touches on general wisdom topics, e.g., wealth, speech, work, etc. The word for
better means good in its root form and is used here comparatively. The second phrase of this proverb is likewise comparative in choosing to
get understanding over
silver. Comparison is common in the Proverbs and it means the things compared are not antithetical. So here, wisdom and wealth are compared, but not shown to be opposites. The proverb states it’s
better, or more important, to seek and acquire
wisdom than
gold and
silver.
Proverbs mentions many things better than wealth: righteousness or justice (Proverbs 15:27; 16:8); family love (Proverbs 15:17; 17:1); and honesty and integrity (Proverbs 19:1, 22). Proverbs emphatically teaches wisdom is better than wealth (Proverbs 3:15-18; 8:10-11, 19). Choose wisdom above all, whether wealth comes or not (Proverbs 4:7).
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
« Previous Page — Next Page »
Proverbs 16:24
Posted by Jeff Short on August 22, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
The word for pleasant means agreeable and even beautiful. Such words are compared here to honey, which is sweet to the taste and also nourishing to the body. Well spoken words of wisdom differ from flattery. Flattery sounds good, so it might be said to be sweet to the taste but ends bitterly (Proverbs 5:3-4). The contrast of the effects of words is made directly elsewhere in Proverbs (Proverbs 12:18; 15:26). This proverb speaks specifically to the blessing of wise speech (Proverbs 15:23; 23:16; 25:11-12; 27:9). Wisdom is of great value because it is not only aesthetically pleasing but soul nourishing and life saving (Proverbs 24:13-14).– Proverbs 16:24
Listen to the Proverbs sermon series
Share this:
Filed under 16, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Proverbs, Speech