Proverbs 27:9

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

– Proverbs 27:9

Pleasing aromas can refresh, cheer, and energize. The point of the saying is likening hearty counsel from a friend to ointment and perfume in the ability to rejoice the heart. This saying speaks to the power of good words. Various proverbs speak to the restorative and refreshing power of good words (Proverbs 12:25; 15:23, 30; 16:24; 17:22; 25:25).

 


 

 

Proverbs 27:6

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

– Proverbs 27:6

Verse 6 continues from verse 5. Faithful wounds are the result of open rebuke, mentioned previously. The word for faithful means to build up or support and can express the nurturing relationship of parents to children. It may wound, or inflict some pain, but is ultimately out of love and for good. The word for deceitful means abundant and describes the profuse kisses of an enemy. The thought of deceit is present and contrasts with faithful. We infer from the saying that faithful wounds from a friend will be few because they are out of love and meant for good, while the enemies flatteries will be poured out. Wisdom warns to beware of flattery and weigh words carefully (Proverbs 2:16; 6:24; 7:5, 21; 10:18; 20:19; 26:23-26, 28; 29:5).

 


 

 

Proverbs 27:5

Open rebuke is better than secret love.

– Proverbs 27:5

Verses 5-6 address an issue of true friendship—open and direct communication. The word for rebuke means reproof, or correction. Rebuke sounds harsh and hateful to our ears today, but receiving it is crucial to acquiring wisdom (Proverbs 1:20-23). Refusing reproof is to embrace death and destruction (Proverbs 1:24-33). The way we respond to rebuke reveals whether we are foolish or wise (Proverbs 9:8; 23:9).

This saying speaks to the value of a friend who will speak up when it is needed. The word for open means to uncover and here refers to one not hiding a needed reproof. It contrasts with secret, which means to cover, or conceal. This is a “better than” saying where the sting of open rebuke is to be preferred to the hidden correction left unspoken, allowing us to go on in folly. A love that doesn’t manifest itself is worthless (Proverbs 3:12; 13:24; 23:13; 1 John 3:18).

 


 

 

Proverbs 22:25

Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
– Proverbs 22:25

Verse 25 completes the proverb started in verse 24. The warning against associating with the angry man is to avoid the snare of becoming like him. Wisdom teaches that we become like those we companion with and those we allow to influence our lives (Proverbs 13:20). Wisdom teaches us to discern the character of others and to avoid all forms of folly and wickedness (Proverbs 1:11-19; 2:12-20; 7:22-27). This is more than a question of taste or preference. Wisdom commands to “forsake the foolish and live” (Proverbs 9:6). The hot tempered, angry man is one type of fool to avoid (Proverbs 21:14; 29:22).

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Proverbs 20:6

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
– Proverbs 20:6

The words for goodness and faithful are both terms that speak of loyalty, or steadfastness. The contrast in the proverb is between talk and reality. Many will claim loyalty but few are truly loyal. A true friend speaks faithfully (Proverbs 27:6), without hurting his friend (Proverbs 29:5). This proverb is counterpart to the saying about the virtuous woman (Proverbs 31:10). The proverb highlights rarity, but not impossibility, for other proverbs speak of faithful friends (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24).

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Proverbs 19:4

Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor.
– Proverbs 19:4

The word for maketh means to add. Wealth adds many friends, or continues to add them. The word for friends is a common and general word that can cover a range of associations. The same word is translated neighbor in the second phrase. The contrast indicates the poor lose friends as the rich add them (Proverbs 14:20). This proverb is a wisdom observation and complements Proverbs 18:24.

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Proverbs 17:17

A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
– Proverbs 17:17

The word for adversity means straits, or tightness. It describes troubles of all kinds. Adversity tries men’s hearts and the relationships we have with one another. Adversity proves the worth of family relations and true friends (Proverbs 19:6-7). Friends can be fickle (Proverbs 14:20; 19:4), but can also be true (Proverbs 18:24). That last reference also hints at a proverbial form of the golden rule (Luke 6:31). So, if you seek loyal, loving friendships, be a loyal, loving friend (Proverbs 27:10).

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