06/21/2026
Bible Study:
Study of Proverbs
6/21/2026
Chapter 27
4) Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
Note: In all its manifestations, anger is a dangerous and difficult to control expression—like a torrent. Anger is depicted as a spiritual force that is destructive, irrational and violent.
As bad as anger and wrath are, Solomon pointed out that there is a power and destructive capability in jealousy that can even go beyond wrath and anger. It can make a bigger torrent of evil. It was envy that motivated the religious leaders to arrange the death of Jesus.
5) Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Note: Many are hesitant to rebuke others, especially others in God's family. But there is a time and place where rebuke is not only good, it is better than the alternative.
Rebuke—kindly, considerately and prayerfully administered—cements friendship rather than weakens it. We do not really like rebuke. We are inherently inclined to resent it. The fact that we really deserve it, or need it, does not make it pleasant...moreover, our dislike of rebuke leads us to think that those who love us serve us well when they're silent in the presence of our shortcomings.
Love does little good when it is concealed. The honest love of an open rebuke can be much better than the carefully concealed love.
6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Note: A mark of a true friend is that they will be willing to wound us with loving correction. The correction may not feel good—as genuine wounds—but it will be an expression of the love and faithfulness of a friend.
The 'wounds' are a metaphor for the painful and plain words that must be spoken in a true friendship in order to heal the beloved and/or to restore a broken relationship.
This cautions us that not all kisses are the greetings of friends. They may come from an enemy and be deceitful. Such as were the kisses of Moab, Judas, Absalom and Ahithophel are not to be fancied, but deprecated and detested.
7) One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry, everything bitter is sweet.
Note: When our life is satisfied—either materially or physically—then we find it easy to hate and reject things that would otherwise be greatly desired. Most agree that this proverb can be applied much more broadly than just to satisfying one's hunger for food, it could be hunger for anything, riches, education, position in society, etc.
When a life is truly hungry, they will eat most anything and consider it sweet. This is seen in the physical world seen in those deprived of food for long periods. It is also seen in the spiritual world, when those who are awakened as truly hungry souls ravenous for spiritual food.
8) Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.
Note: We have a place appointed by God and we can be as out of place as a bird without a nest if we wander from it. We need to take care that we perceive our place not as the one that culture or community may assign to us, but truly the place God has assigned us.
9) Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.
Note: Solomon stated a self-evident truth. It is in the nature of an ointment or perfume to delight the heart through its pleasant smell.
Strong, hearty counsel from a friend is sweet and can bring delight—just as it is natural for ointment and perfume to delight the heart. This proverb should make us ask, Is there someone in my life who can give hearty counsel? Can I give hearty counsel to someone else? Both the outward fragrances and the wholesome counsel produce a sense of wellbeing.
10) Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.
Note: We should hold the bonds of friendship as dear and obligating, even beyond generations. Friends should not be forsaken.
We should not assume that our birth brother is the best one to help in the day of calamity, especially if the brother is far away. Better is a lesser resource that is nearby a better resource that is far away.
11) Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.
Note: Solomon gave a simple encouragement to his son to be wise and therefore bring gladness to his father. A foolish son is a cause of insult and reproach to the parents. In some way, the son who rejects wisdom makes the parents look bad.
12) The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
Note: Wisdom will lead a man or woman to anticipate danger and to take action such as to hide from the coming evil. Those who are naive and untrained in wisdom are blind to the potential danger around them. They will eventually bear the bad consequence of their blindness and be punished.
13) Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.
Note: If someone is a bad credit risk, then we should hold a deposit as security against anything they owe to us. The man is as immoral and foolish to be surety for a seductress, then we should especially regard them as a credit risk. The proverb instructs the disciple to have nothing to do with these fools.
14) Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.
Note: The sense here is of an over-the-top greeting and blessing to flatter and manipulate. It is loud and it starts early in the morning. Something is amiss with this excessive praise.
An Italian proverb 'He who praises you more than he was wont to do, has either deceived you, or is about to. Extravagant public professions are little to be regarded.
15) A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;
16) to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in one's right hand.
Note: That continual dripping noise is greatly annoying and suggests there is a problem. The man takes shelter under the roof of his home expecting to find protection from the storm. Instead, he finds his leaky roof provides him little shelter from the torrential downpour. Much like a contentious wife providing little comfort from the trials of daily living. To correct or reform a contentious wife can be a fool's errand. She can be as difficult to constraint as the wind or trying to hold oil in one's hand.
17) Iron sharpens iron,and one man sharpens another.
Note: We can use a piece of iron as a hone to sharpen another piece of iron. A man can be used to sharpen his friend but it may happen through a bit of friction and sparks. We shouldn't be afraid of such and expect that true sharpening can happen without the occasional use of friction. This analogy infers that the friend persists and does not shy away from critical, constructive criticism.
18) Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.
Note: The worker is worthy of his reward. If a man keeps a fig tree, it is appropriate for him to eat its fruit. It is cruel and unfair to keep the fruit of a man's labor from him. He mentions the fig tree because they abounded in Canaan and were more valued and regarded than other trees.
19) As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man.
Note: As one sees the reflection of a face of a man, so one sees the heart of a man in his actions and deeds. Who we are will eventually be evident to others as our words and actions reveal our heart. The feelings and thoughts that come from our heart reveal us as the reflection in smooth water reveals the face.
20) Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.
Note: The grave and the world beyond are never full and will always receive those who come that way. They are used here as figures of something that can never be satisfied. So the eyes of man are never satisfied, it must be controlled and brought under God's dominion. Man's eyes will never see enough beauty, the answer is having the need channeled and satisfied in God and what He provides. The lust of the eye led Eve and Adam to transgress social boundaries in the first place. It is the bane of humanity and this truism should drive the son to examine his own lusts. As the grave can never be filled up with bodies, nor perdition with souls, so the restless desire, the lust of power, riches and splendor, is never satisfied. Out of this ever unsatisfied desire spring all the changing fashions, the varied amusements and the endless modes of getting money, prevalent in every age, and in every country.
21) To show partiality is not good but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.
Note: In the court of law and in our daily dealings with people, we should not show partiality. We should be those who do not favor or condemn others based on their race, class, nationality or influence.
Because justice and the opinion of others can be easily bought, we should determine that we will not be bribed for partiality and we should be aware that others may be easily bought.
22) A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty will come upon him.
Note: A stingy, ungenerous man will run after riches with the same energy he will use to selfishly hold on to what he has.
Because God's blessing does not rest on the stingy, ungenerous man, poverty will come upon—and he will not consider or expect it.
23) Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.
Note: It may be necessary to rebuke a man, but it is to invite his displeasure. Still, it should be done in confidence that when done well, the one who rebukes will find more favor afterward.
The one who rebukes may not be as welcomed as he who flatters, but the sacrificial service of he who rebukes will bring him into more favor than the one who always praises.
24) Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “That is no transgression,” is a companion to a man who destroys.
Note: There are some who have little conscience about stealing from their parents. Out of some sense of entitlement, they rob them and say, “It is no transgression.” He may rationalize 'eventually it all comes to me anyway,' or they can no longer manage their finances, etc. Despite whatever sense of entitlement the thief may have they are right next to a destroyer, someone who spreads and even loves destruction.
25) A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
Note: A proud man or woman is constantly causing strife because they want the attention and preeminence. That doesn't agree with most people so there is strife.
Because he makes it his great business to advance and please himself, and hates and opposes all that stand in his way and despises other men and is very jealous of his honor and impatient of the least slighting or affront or injury and indulges his own passions.
To trust in the Lord is presented as a contrast to the proud heart. That one should expect to be prospered, as they humbly trust God and forsake pride.
26) Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.
Note: There is a strong urge—promoted to us by the world, the flesh and the devil—to trust our heart and to “follow our heart” instead of humbly receiving our values, morals and wisdom from God's word. This trusting in our own heart leads one to be a fool. For answers, values and guidance we should not look within, but look to the Lord.
In contrast to trusting our own heart, we should instead give attention to walking wisely. Instead of operating on the basis of how we feel, we should direct ourselves to wise living in what we do.
Distrusting his own judgment and seeking the advice of others, and especially of God, as all truly wise men do, he shall be delivered from those dangers and mischiefs which fools bring upon themselves; whereby he shows himself to be a wise man.
27) Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
Note: God promises to bless the generous heart and one way that generosity should be expressed is to give to the poor. Not getting, but giving is the way to wealth. God will bless the bountiful man's stock and store. God will not bless the one who ignores the troubles of the poor and needy.
To hide ones eyes means to refuse to see poverty.
28) When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.
Note: When wicked men come to places of prominence and rule, it is bad for the community. Freedom and blessing to the community are much less present and in response, men hide themselves.
When the wicked and their influence pass, the righteous increase, along with their influence. This is a blessing for a community or a nation. When the righteous increase in number and power, the people come out of their hiding. In the early ages of the Christian church, after the death of the persecuting Herod, the Word of God grew and multiplied.
Chapter 29
1) He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
Note: As in many places in the Bible, the hard neck is used as a figure of speech to speak of the stubborn attitude that resists and disobeys God.
This stubborn rebellious man continues in his disobedience for a long time, until he is suddenly destroyed and there will be no hope for him. This describes the kind of person who thinks little of God's merciful patience and assumes judgment will never come for his continual rejection of wisdom and stubborn heart against God.
2) When the righteous increase, the people rejoice but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
Note: It is to the benefit of the community or nation when the righteous are in authority. This shows that when the righteous govern, it should be for the benefit of the entire community, not only their interests.
The community or the nation suffers when the wicked rule. Lawlessness increases and freedoms diminish. The rule of the wicked is bad for both the righteous and the wicked in the community or nation. The people groan both for the oppressions and mischiefs which they feel and for the dreadful judgments of God which they justly fear.
3) He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
Note: Children of any age bring happiness to their parents when they love and live wisdom. It gives the parents a justified pride in their children and gives peace about their children's future.
Being a companion of harlots is one example of a foolish life, someone who chooses harlots and others of low character as their companions. Obviously they are the opposite of those who embrace wisdom.
4) By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
Note: A nation can only expect strength and progress when it is ruled with justice. When a community or nation sees evildoers punished and restrained, fairness in the legal system and agreements honored, there will be justice and a foundation for growth and blessing.
There are many ways that justice can be abused, but receiving bribes is one of the worst. Bribes destroy the foundations of fairness and equality before the law. It means the rich and devious prosper.
5) A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
Note: In this sense, to flatter is to excessively praise someone with the hope of gaining influence or status. Such flattery is a trap. It is a trap that the wise man knows how to avoid and that catches the foot.
6) An evil man is ensnared in his transgression but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
Note: A man may be evil in his character, yet it is his actual acts of transgression that ruin him. Most evil men think they are celebrating life and freedom through their transgression, but it will be a trap and a snare to them.
If transgression belongs to the evil man, then singing and rejoicing belong to the righteous. The singing and rejoicing are an expression of what is inside them, just as much as the transgression is an expression of what is inside the evil man.
7) A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
Note: One mark of the righteous man or woman is that they care for the poor. It is more than the response of feelings of pity; he considers the cause of the poor. It is thoughtful compassion in action. Those who are wicked, rebellious against God and His wisdom, can't even understand such compassion, since it doesn't directly serve their self-interest.
8. Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
Note: In the family of fools, the scoffers are some of the worst offenders. They are so settled in their combative, cynical rejection of God and His wisdom that they may bring the judgment of God and fury of men against their own city.
The opposite of the scoffer is the wise man. Collectively, wise men have the understanding, character and righteousness that may turn away God's wrath.
9) If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs and there is no quiet.
Note: Solomon considered some kind of argument or dispute between the wise and the foolish, likely set in a court of law. Since the two have different foundations and principles for living, it isn't a surprise that they would contend with each other.
When two different people contend, normally there will be no peace. The fool will respond with either anger or mocking, but neither will lead to peace. This should teach the wise man to be cautious about contending with the foolish man.
10) Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.
Note: There is a fundamental opposition between the bloodthirsty and the blameless. Those given to violence and brutality simply hate the blameless, both because the life and message of the blameless convicts the bloodthirsty and because the bloodthirsty hate all the blameless stand for.
The upright men or women seek and care for the well-being of the blameless. This is a great contrast to the bloodthirsty.
11) A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
Note: It is the nature of a fool to think that everyone is interested in all his feelings and that he has some obligation to inflict all his feelings on others. This is a foolish offense to self-respect, self-restraint and courtesy towards others.
The wise man knows that there is a time and place to vent one's feelings, but one should never imitate the fool in exposing all his feelings.
Send a message to learn more
