Posted by Jeff Short on February 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
– Proverbs 11:3
The word for
integrity points to innocence.
Upright means straight. These are contrasted with the crooked ways of the treacherous—
perverseness of transgressors. The main point here, as in similar proverbs, is that integrity in wisdom will preserve and guide the upright, while the very crookedness of the deceivers will destroy them (Proverbs 13:6; 28:18).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 22, 2017 · Leave a Comment
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
– Proverbs 11:2
The word for
pride indicates a high arrogance, or hubris. It speaks of one who must have his own way, and Proverbs points out the end of that way is
shame, or disgrace, and elsewhere destruction (Proverbs 16:18; 18:12). The word for
lowly means humility and it is the way of
wisdom. Humility with wisdom is better than great riches (Proverbs 16:19). Humility always precedes any true promotion (Proverbs 15:33).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 21, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
– Proverbs 11:1
The law forbade conducting deceptive transactions and cheating the scale (Leviticus 19:35-36; Deuteronomy 25:13-16). God rebuked Israel for this sin through the prophets (Amos 8:5; Micah 6:10). Wisdom likewise teaches the abomination of false balances (Proverbs 16:11; 20:10, 23). A
just weight is a complete measure, or we might think of it as accurate. God delights in this sort of honesty, fairness, and just dealings.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh forwardness.
– Proverbs 10:32
The word for
acceptable means delightful and pleasant. The words of the righteous are fitting words (Proverbs 15:23; 25:11). There is beauty in them and these come from a well of wisdom (Matthew 13:52). The words of the wicked are presented in contrast. They are not few, well-chosen, nor beautiful (Proverbs 15:2, 28). They only speak
frowardness, which is twistedness or perversity.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 18, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
– Proverbs 10:31
To bring forth is literally to germinate or bear fruit. It is also put figuratively for speech as the idea that words are the fruit produced. A
just man will bear the fruit of wisdom in his speech (Psalm 37:30). The
froward tongue is contrasted. The word indicates something twisted, crooked, or otherwise perverse. Wicked prattling will ultimately be stopped (Psalm 31:18). The cutting out promised in the proverb puts one in mind of a bad tree with bad fruit being cut down and burned up.
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 17, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
– Proverbs 10:30
Despite momentary circumstances throughout life, the righteous will not fall or be cast off. Likewise, the wicked will never be established (Proverbs 12:3). Scripture consistently warns that wickedness will not lead to peace and prosperity (Psalm 37:9-11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
– Proverbs 10:29
The
way of the Lord is contrasted between the
upright and the
workers of iniquity. Some see the Lord’s overall providential governance in the
way of the Lord, but as
way is frequently put for course of life in Proverbs, it is more fitting to see it as the way one should go. The wisdom we should walk by is the wisdom we shall be judged by. It is safety or security to the upright, but the wicked falter and fail therein (Hosea 14:9).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
– Proverbs 10:28
This proverb takes the long view of wisdom. It is not so much concerned with near-future earthly life as it is with after life. Many look at the Proverbs as a collection of home-spun wisdom sayings that help you get on in life. If you pay attention, along the way Solomon drops wisdom that lets you know much more is at stake. This is one of those proverbs and there are others (Proverbs 11:7; 14:32). Righteousness shall ultimately be rewarded with eternal joy (Psalm 16:9-11). Wickedness will also be rewarded by eternal punishment (Psalm 112:10; Revelation 21:8).
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Posted by Jeff Short on February 14, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
– Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the Lord is where we begin in divine wisdom (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7). Continuing in fear means continuing in wisdom and departing from sin (Proverbs 16:6) and coming into God’s goodness (Psalm 31:19). In general, walking in fear and wisdom tends to long life whereas continuing in wickedness tends to being cut off (Psalm 55:23). Whatever prospering the wicked enjoy, it is short lived (Job 12:6; Psalm 73:12; 17:13-14).
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Proverbs 11:3
Posted by Jeff Short on February 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
The word for integrity points to innocence. Upright means straight. These are contrasted with the crooked ways of the treacherous—perverseness of transgressors. The main point here, as in similar proverbs, is that integrity in wisdom will preserve and guide the upright, while the very crookedness of the deceivers will destroy them (Proverbs 13:6; 28:18).– Proverbs 11:3
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Filed under 11, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Integrity, Perverse, Proverbs, Transgressors, Upright