Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 11

Verse 1

Pro 11:1

Proverbs 11:1

"A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; But a Just weight is his delight."

"Dishonest scales are abominable to the Lord, but a true weight pleases him.” This is one of many warnings in the Bible against dishonesty (Proverbs 16:11; Proverbs 20:10; Proverbs 20:23); and, of course, any kind of dishonesty is also abominable in God’s sight. The false balances were those in which the heavy weights were used in buying and the light ones were used in selling.

Proverbs 11:1. A perusal of this chapter will show that its sayings deal principally with honesty, integrity and uprightness in human relationships. A “false balance” was a set of dishonest scales. That God is concerned about honesty in business is evident from this verse and from Leviticus 19:35-36; Deuteronomy 25:13-16; Proverbs 20:10; Proverbs 20:23.

Verses 1-31

Pro 11:1-31

Contrasting the Wise and Wicked (Proverbs 11:1-31)

"A false balance is an abomination to Jehovah; But a just weight is his delight" (Proverbs 11:1). Jehovah delivered an authorized command regarding balances being just and correct rather than deceitfully faulty (see Leviticus 19:36; Deuteronomy 25:13-16). Jehovah is a just God and so demands that His people be the same (see Jeremiah 9:23-24). If one were to measure out or weigh precious metals, grain, or any other commodity the merchant was to be trustworthy. Some may have fixed their scales to rob those who sold yet such an act was abhorrent to the Lord (see Hosea 12:7-8). The word "abomination" was examined at Proverbs 6:16 and defined as something hated or disgraceful. The use of a false balance is disgraceful in the eyes of God but those who would use just weights (accurate) are the Lord’s "delight."

"When pride cometh, then cometh shame; But with the lowly is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them" (Proverbs 11:2-3). Pride was identified at Proverbs 8:13 as being equated to evil. The fear of the Lord is to hate evil which includes the quality of pride (arrogance and self-importance). Those who are arrogant and whose conversation depicts one who believes that their lives are so very important are acting shamefully. The lowly wise man; however, does not feel the need to tell everyone how important he is. The wise man’s integrity guides him in the paths of righteousness because he has heard and received truth. The word "integrity" is defined as, "Rigid adherence to a code or standard of values; probity (honesty)" (AHD 667). While the man of integrity rigidly follows the standard of God’s word the perverse and treacherous have no such guidance. These men are guided by whatever feels good to them and so in the end they are destroyed.

"Riches profit not in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivereth from death. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way; But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity" (Proverbs 11:4-6). The "day of wrath" is an allusion to the day that the Lord will judge mankind (see Isaiah 13:7; Romans 2:5; Revelation 6:17). There will be no amount of money that one has stored up over his lifetime that will save him from his wicked deeds (see Ezekiel 7:19 and Zephaniah 1:18). The Lord will come quickly at an unannounced time and those found in sin will perish eternally for their treacherous behavior (see Revelation 3:3). The righteous; however, shall be found perfect and thereby saved.

"When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish; And the hope of iniquity perisheth. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, And the wicked cometh in his stead. With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor; But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered" (Proverbs 11:7-9). There is nothing that man can do to change the course of nature. We are born into this world, live a certain amount of time, and then we die. The "expectation" of the wicked man is that his gold and silver (the things he treasured up on this earth) will be his comfort; however, when the time of death comes there is no amount of money that can change the course. All that the wicked put their trust and hope in cannot save him from the day of death and the day of great wrath. Those who put their hope in sinful things shall surely perish along with all who took the wicked man’s advice. The righteous set their hope on eternal things and shall thereby be delivered from the grave of eternal torment.

"When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; And when the wicked perish, there is shouting. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked" (Proverbs 11:10-11). A city rejoices over the good lives of the righteous because everyone benefits from a just person that makes positive contributions to society. The same city shouts with joy over the perishing of the wicked. Such shouting is not due to their being happy he is dead but they shout for joy because they are not ill affected by his slothfulness and unjust way of dealing with people.

"He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding holdeth his peace. He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter" (Proverbs 11:12-13). To despise one’s neighbor is to hate and look down upon as though you were better. Such an outward display of conduct is to be "void of wisdom." The wise man may be very annoyed with a neighbor; however, he does not openly despise the man simply because they do something different. The wise will "hold his peace" in matters that really do not affect one’s soul. Again, the foolish man will go about gossiping about others as a "talebearer." The wise man; however, will not be so quick to tell matters about others to people.

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. “ (Proverbs 11:14-15). A city that has no wise men in it will eventually wither away. A church that has no wise men in it will eventually wither away. When there are many wise counselors the city and church will thrive. We are at times puzzled when we hear of a church closing its doors after 75 or 100 years in existence at some locality of many people. Why did the church close its doors? Why is there nothing but elderly shut ins left? Why did the church die out? The answer is obvious. The subject of surety was discussed at Proverbs 6:1-5. A surety is a guarantee or collateral put down for another’s sake. The wise thing to do is stay out of other people’s business as we discussed at Proverbs 6:1-5. To involve yourself in a stranger’s monetary affairs is not wise because the stranger may skip town and leave you with the bill. This was happening quite a bit in Houston after hurricane Ike hit in the year 2008. Contractors were taking advantage of the elderly.

"A gracious woman obtaineth honor; And violent men obtain riches. The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. The wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward. He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life; And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death" (Proverbs 11:16-19). Here the contrast between the wise and wicked continue. The wise woman, through a gracious disposition, obtains honor. Here is a woman whose mannerism is that of being courteous, polite, and considerate of others. The other side is the violent man who obtain riches by means of false balances and other perverted means. The woman gains honor from her fellow neighbors whereas the violent rich man is seen as hard and one to be avoided. Again, a merciful man does good to his own soul because he is conducting himself as God (God is merciful - Psalms 116:5). The man who is cruel; however, brings trouble to his life. When people are treated unkind and with a mean disposition they certainly will not want anything to do with such an ugly person. This is why the wicked go with each other in unity as do the righteous (see John 15:19). Joel said, "rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repenteth him of the evil" (Joel 2:13). Two traits of God that ought to belong to man are graciousness and mercy. Those who have such characteristics bring joy and hope not only to their own lives but to the lives of others.

"They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in their way are his delight" (Proverbs 11:20). This verses is worded similar to 11:1. Perversity comes in various forms. There is a perverted mouth, heart (mind), hands and feet (i.e., one’s deeds), and a lack of one’s deeds (slothfulness). The man of perverse lips or actions is an "abomination" to the Lord (see above at Proverbs 11:1). When one is "perfect in their way" they are striving to live a life without sin (see Philippians 3:13-15). The Lord commands that man be perfect (without sin) (see Genesis 17:1; Deuteronomy 18:13; Psalms 119:1; Matthew 5:48 etc.). Those who strive for perfection of life through the law of Jesus Christ will be a delight to the Lord for evermore (see Jeremiah 9:23).

"Though hand join in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished; But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered" (Proverbs 11:21). Let the wicked ban together as a mighty army of like-minded filthiness yet will they make no progress against the Lord of all. Though the wicked may be comforted in their numbers they nonetheless shall not go unpunished.

"As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a fair woman that is without discretion" (Proverbs 11:22). Recall that discretion is a characteristic of wisdom (see Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 3:21; Proverbs 8:12). The discrete woman will be prudent (cautious), exercise forethought, sound judgment, and carefulness. The author obviously equates the "fair woman" to the character trait of discretion. The words "fair woman" are only found four times in the Old Testament. The three other times reveal the word to mean physical beauty. Sometimes beauty; however, is only skin deep. A contrast is drawn between a fair woman of discretion and a swine (i.e., an animal that is considered unclean and shameless (wallowing in the mud). Solomon’s point is that it is un-natural for a beautiful woman to lack discretion as it is to have a swine with a ring in its nose. When Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac the man found Rebekah and put a ring on her nose and bracelets upon her hands (Genesis 24:47). Apparently part of a woman’s ornaments, even back to the days of the Patriarchs, included rings in the nose. The point is that it is unnatural for a fair woman adorned with an nose ring to act as a swine (shamelessly and unclean) rather than exercising discretion.

"The desire of the righteous is only good; But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want. The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself. He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him; But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it" (Proverbs 11:23-26). This passage is similar to 11:7. The righteous desire good things and so they receive good. The wicked; however, desire and expect things out of deceitful and wicked practices and thereby all that is due them is wrath from not only their fellow man but of God. The proverbial statement those who give receive is identified as truth. To withhold things from others only brings other’s curses.

"He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favor; But he that searcheth after evil, it shall come unto him. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf" (Proverbs 11:27-28). The proverbs have taught us that good things come to those who work hard and seek after wisdom in this life. Good things such as longevity of life and riches. Though one does not live godly for the purpose of long life and neither does he work that he may obtain riches these things nonetheless come to the wise (reminds us of Solomon’s request for wisdom rather than riches and long life yet those things were granted to him by God - see 1 Kings 3:5 ff) (see Proverbs 3:1-2; Proverbs 9:11-12). The wicked man may "search after evil and trust in riches" yet the very things he places his hope and interest in cannot save him. While the wise are in a win win situation the wicked follow a life destined for eternal failure. As one has aptly said, "be careful what you wish for... you might just get it." So the wicked who search after wickedness find it and all that comes with that style of life.

"He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart" (Proverbs 11:29). The wicked are a trouble not only to their own flesh (see Proverbs 11:17) but also to others around him (Proverbs 10:6-10; Proverbs 11:7-9). Now we find that his troubles reach even to his own house (i.e., through violence, cheating, poverty, adultery, and wrath of others).

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that is wise winneth souls. Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: How much more the wicked and the sinner!" (Proverbs 11:30-31). Again, the Proverbs have taught us that there are results such as long life and riches that come to the wise (i.e., happiness, good marriages, comfortable living due to a solid work ethic, good health and longevity of life). We also find that the lives of wise people affects the lives of others. The fruit of the wise is likened unto a tree that gives life to those it touches. The wise wins souls by their godly conduct and disposition whereas the wicked only bring failure and doom to people’s lives.

Verse 2

Pro 11:2

Proverbs 11:2

"When pride cometh, then cometh shame; But with the lowly is wisdom."

A number of other proverbs regarding pride are Proverbs 13:10; Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 16:18-19; Proverbs 18:12; Proverbs 22:4. "People who are proud will soon be disgraced. It is wiser to be modest.” The great sin of all mankind is pride; and Paul tells us that it was the sin that ruined Satan (1 Timothy 3:6).

Proverbs 11:2. A double contrast: “pride” vs. “lowly” and “shame” vs. “wisdom”. Pulpit Commentary: “Self-assertion and self-confidence shall meet with mortification and disgrace in the end.”

Verse 3

Pro 11:3

Proverbs 11:3

"The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them."

"If you are good, you are guided by honesty. People who can’t be trusted are destroyed by their own dishonesty.”

Proverbs 11:3. A triple contrast: “integrity” vs. “perverseness”; “the upright” vs. “the treacherous”; and “guide” vs. “destroy”. The integrity of Joseph “guided” him with reference to Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7-12), and the perverseness of Absalom “destroyed” him (2 Samuel 15-18).

Verse 4

Pro 11:4

Proverbs 11:4

"Riches profit not in the day of wrath; But righteousness delivereth from death."

The Good News Bible rendered "day of wrath" here as "day of death"; but in the light of Revelation 6:17, that day is "the day of the wrath of God," the judgment day. In this interpretation, the "day of death" from which righteousness delivers is the "second death." It is also true that riches are of no value in the day of death.

Proverbs 11:4. “Clarke”: “Among men they can do all things; but they cannot purchase the remission of sins, nor turn aside the wrath of God when that is poured out.” Observe this fact in 1 Peter 1:18; Proverbs 10:2; Ezekiel 7:19; Zephaniah 1:18. If one could gain the whole world, he could not redeem his lost soul by offering it to God at judgment (Mark 8:36-37). But righteousness has a great bearing on one’s being delivered when God raises to punish (Genesis 7:1; 2 Peter 2:5; 2 Peter 2:7).

Verse 5

Pro 11:5

Proverbs 11:5

"The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way; But the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness."

"Righteousness traces out blameless paths; but ungodliness encounters unjust dealing.” The New Testament echoes this truth in the words, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7).

Proverbs 11:5. This saying is similar to Proverbs 11:3. We observe that a person spends a lifetime developing his righteousness, and all the while it is the directing force of his life. Remember the wickedness of Judas and the downfall it brought him (Matthew 26:14-16; Matthew 27:3-5).

Verse 6

Pro 11:6

Proverbs 11:6

"The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them; But the treacherous shall be taken in their own iniquity."

"This is an emphatic reiteration of Proverbs 11:5. The indulgence of their passions destroys sinners." Another rendition is, "The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.”

Proverbs 11:6. One’s righteousness that has directed him (Proverbs 11:5) also delivers him from many a destruction. A treacherous person is one bent on injuring another for his own sinful gain. But such are often taken in the plot they laid for others: Psalms 9:15; Proverbs 5:22; Ecclesiastes 10:8.

Verse 7

Pro 11:7

Proverbs 11:7

"When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish; And the hope of iniquity perisheth."

The Spanish Bible renders this: "Cuando el malvado muere, Mueren con el sus esparanzas e ilusiones.” "When the evil one dies, there dies with him his hopes and expectations (illusions)."

Proverbs 11:7. Compare with Proverbs 10:28. Get this lesson: there is nothing good beyond death for the wicked. Death dashes his earthly hopes to the ground, and eternity holds nothing good for him.

Verse 8

Pro 11:8

Proverbs 11:8

"The righteous is delivered out of trouble; And the wicked cometh in his stead."

There is some ambiguity here, but the RSV clears it up: "The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked gets into it instead." "There are many examples in Scripture of where this has happened. Thus Haman was hanged on the gallows which he had erected for Mordecai (Esther 7:10), and Daniel’s accusers perished in the lions’ den from which Daniel was saved (Daniel 6:24).”

Proverbs 11:8. God’s providential leadership and His answer of the righteous people’s prayers brings about this deliverance (2 Kings 18:28 to 2 Kings 19:19, 2 Kings 19:35). On the wicked coming in his stead, “Young” translates: “The righteous from distress is drawn out, And the wicked goeth in instead of him.” “American Bible Union version:” “The righteous was delivered out of trouble; And the wicked came into his place.” Amplified speaks of the wicked getting into trouble instead of the righteous.

Verse 9

Pro 11:9

Proverbs 11:9

"With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor; But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered."

This knowledge by which the righteous man is delivered from the enmity of an evil neighbor was called by Keil, "That knowledge which makes them acquainted with men.” One must always suspect and reject the proposals and suggestions of men who are recognized as wicked.

Proverbs 11:9. This verse well fits a court scene where the false witness can destroy his neighbor and where the faithful witness can deliver the innocent. Naboth was destroyed through false witnesses (1 Kings 21:1-13).

Verse 10

Pro 11:10

Proverbs 11:10

"When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; And when the wicked perish, there is shouting."

"What’s good for the righteous is good for the city.” There is a direct connection between the morality of the population and the happiness and prosperity of the unit, whether of an individual city or community, or of an entire society. Nations where the will of God is ignored will find an increasing decline in their happiness, their prosperity and in their standard of living. This very day, America is beginning to see this accomplished.

Proverbs 11:10. This verse and the one following have sayings about the “city”. Good kings were honored because of their successful reigns (2 Chronicles 32:33; 2 Chronicles 35:24-25); not so with the bad kings (2 Chronicles 24:25). Consider also Proverbs 28:12-18. There must have been much rejoicing when both Athaliah and Herod the Great died.

Verse 11

Pro 11:11

Proverbs 11:11

"By the blessing of the upright, the city is exalted; But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked."

This is an emphatic reiteration of the previous verse. "A town prospers when it has the blessing of upright men, but the words of evil men can destroy it.”

Proverbs 11:11. Proverbs 29:8 says, “Scoffers set a city in a flame” (mighty cities, after being conquered, were often burned-Joshua 6:24; Joshua 8:19); “But wise men turn away wrath” (by submitting rather than resisting an over-powering enemy—Jeremiah 27:4-11).

Verse 12

Pro 11:12

Proverbs 11:12

"He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding holdeth his peace."

"He who belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.” The first and great commandment is to love God ... and to "Love thy neighbor as thyself." This stands both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament (Mark 12:31).

Proverbs 11:12. Following Romans 12:18 is much wiser than despising one’s neighbor. Yet many disregard it. Needless or selfish strife is a work of the flesh and not of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-23). If you say all that can be said, you will have all the trouble that can be had!

Verse 13

Pro 11:13

Proverbs 11:13

"He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter."

Of all the damaging habits of evil people, that of the gossip and the talebearer must rank very high indeed. "The one who comes to us with tales of others will also reveal our secrets.” "Any person who tells secrets about other people can’t be trusted. But a person that can be trusted does not spread gossip.” As DeHoff said it, "There is no bigger fool than the one who tells everything he knows."

Proverbs 11:13. A double contrast: “talebearer” vs. “faithful spirit” and “reveleth” vs. “concealeth”. The first statement is found also in Proverbs 20:19. Wisdom dictates that some things should not be told. Both Leviticus 19:16 and 1 Timothy 5:13 show that talebearing is wrong.

Verse 14

Pro 11:14

Proverbs 11:14

"Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."

"It is better when a people are governed by laws and conclusions resulting from the deliberation of many competent and authorized men, than when their fate is entrusted unconditionally to only one or to a few.” This proverb, however, does not necessarily apply to every situation. There is another proverb (not in the Bible) which says, "Too many cooks spoil the broth."

Proverbs 11:14. A double contrast: “no wise guidance” vs. “multitude of counsellors” and “falleth” vs. “safety”. The last statement is found also in Proverbs 24:6. Kings always had counsellors, and in time of war they depended much upon them. Proverbs 15:22 shows that all of us have need of counsel at times. This verse is just the opposite of a know-it-all.

Verse 15

Pro 11:15

Proverbs 11:15

"He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; But he that hateth securityship is secure."

"If you promise to pay a stranger’s debt, you will regret it. You are better off if you don’t get involved.”

Proverbs 11:15. Suretyship is when one promises to stand good for the obligation of another if he cannot pay. How many people have “smarted” for co-signing notes of others!

Verse 16

Pro 11:16

Proverbs 11:16

"A gracious woman obtaineth honor; And violent men obtain riches."

Cook has a rendition here which clears up what otherwise seems to be two unrelated clauses. "A gracious woman obtains honor, As violent men obtain riches.” The meaning would then be that it is just as likely that a gracious woman will be honored as it is that violent men will get rich.

Proverbs 11:16. A triple contrast; “gracious” vs. “violent”; “woman” vs. “men”; and “honor” vs. “riches.” A gracious woman prefers honor to riches, but violent men sacrifice honor to gain riches.

Verse 17

Pro 11:17

Proverbs 11:17

"The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh."

"A merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but he that is cruel casteth off even his own kindred.” "You do yourself a favor when you are kind. If you are cruel, you only hurt yourself." The RSV leaves out the word only.

Proverbs 11:17 The merciful man does good to himself in that others will show mercy to him (Matthew 5:7; Matthew 25:34-35). On the other hand the cruel are asking for trouble, and it will surely come to him (1 Kings 21:17-19).

Verse 18

Pro 11:18

Proverbs 11:18

"The wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward."

"It is not real, what a bad man gains; but goodness yields a lasting profit.” A wicked man’s deceptive wages will not provide for him what he expected.

Proverbs 11:18. Sometimes it looks like the wicked prosper in this world (Psalms 37:35), but they will be cut down (Psalms 37:1-2; Psalms 37:10; Psalms 37:12-15; Psalms 37:17; Psalms 37:20; Psalms 37:38). They have sown to the flesh, and they will reap corruption (Galatians 6:8). “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Sowing to righteousness leads to a sure reward (Hosea 10:12; James 3:18; Psalms 37:3-6; Psalms 37:11; Psalms 37:18-19; Psalms 37:29-31; Psalms 37:37).

Verse 19

Pro 11:19

Proverbs 11:19

"He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life; And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death."

"The meaning here is that real, genuine righteousness has the promise of this life and of that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8); and that the man who practices evil brings ruin, eventually, upon himself - a trite, but unheeded warning.”

Proverbs 11:19. A double contrast: “steadfast in righteousness” vs. “pursueth evil” and “life” vs. “death”. As sinners pursue evil, godly people forsake evil and follow after righteousness and godliness (1 Timothy 6:11; Titus 2:12). The results? “The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:17). See also the great passage, Romans 2:6-8.

Verse 20

Pro 11:20

Proverbs 11:20

"They that are of a froward heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in their way are his delight."

"Abomination, as taught in Proverbs, is a thing so radically full of evil, that it must be forced out some day, by the very necessities of the universe.” That God indeed finds in some human life a source of delight is a great encouragement. "How wonderful is the grace of God, which takes such kind notice of the righteousness of sinful men, imperfect as that righteousness must be.”

Proverbs 11:20 A triple contrast: “perverse” vs. “perfect”; “in heart” vs. “in their way”; and “abomination to Jehovah” vs. “his delight”. Instances of perverse hearts and God’s reaction: Pharisees (Luke 16:14-15; Luke 18:9-14; Matthew 15:1-9; Matthew 23:25-28) and Simon of Samaria (Acts 8:20-22). Instances of good people who pleased the Lord: Job (Job 1:8) and Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:39; Luke 10:42; Mark 14:3-9). God delights as much in the righteous as He deplores the wicked.

Verse 21

Pro 11:21

Proverbs 11:21

"Though hand join in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished; But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered."

"The purpose here is merely to contrast the fates of the wicked and the righteous. The expression, `though hand join in hand’ carries the meaning of `assuredly,’ derived from the usual practice of striking hands in a bargain.”

Proverbs 11:21. The opening statement is also in Proverbs 16:5. Clarke: “Let them confederate as they please to support each other, justice will take care that they escape not judgment.” Other passages on the deliverance of the righteous: Proverbs 16:4; Proverbs 16:8; Genesis 7:1).

Verse 22

Pro 11:22

Proverbs 11:22

"As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a fair woman without discretion."

"If a beautiful woman is foolish, it is the same as a gold ring in a pig’s nose.” The word `discretion’ is a very comprehensive term. "It signifies physical taste, intellectual discrimination, sound judgment and moral uprightness.”

Proverbs 11:22. We might ask, “What is a ring of gold if it be on a swine’s snout? Does it make the hog? And what is physical beauty if the woman has no discretion? Is physical beauty all that counts?”

Verse 23

Pro 11:23

Proverbs 11:23

"The desire of the righteous is only good; But the expectation of the wicked is wrath."

"What good men desire ends in their favor: a bad man’s hope ends in the wrath of God.”

Proverbs 11:23. Instead of “wrath”, “Young’s Literal translation” gives “transgression”, and the “Septuagint” gives “shall perish”. The passage means that the righteous desire only that which is good while the wicked desire that which is wrong (“transgression”) or that which brings God’s “wrath,” causing them to perish.” How wonderful to have right desires! And how bad to crave the wrong thing!

Verse 24

Pro 11:24

Proverbs 11:24

"There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth only to want."

"One gives away, and still he grows richer: Another keeps what he should give, and is the poorer.” This corresponds exactly with the promises of God in the New Testament (2 Corinthians 9:6-11).

Proverbs 11:24. “Scattereth” here has reference to giving to the needy (Psalms 112:9). Judiciously helping the needy does not impoverish us (God blesses us), but if we withhold from them, God will withhold from us. 2 Corinthians 9:6 : “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” An old epitaph: “What we spent, we had; what we saved, we lost; what we gave, we have.”

Verse 25

Pro 11:25

Proverbs 11:25

"The liberal soul shall be made fat; And he that watereth shall be watered also himself."

This repeats and elaborates what was stated in the previous proverb. "Wealth is not the result of miserliness, but rather the opposite.”

Proverbs 11:25. “Liberal” here means “generous”; “fat” means “prosperous”. Promised also in Luke 6:38 : “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

Verse 26

Pro 11:26

Proverbs 11:26

"He that withholdeth grain, the people shall curse him; But blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it."

The background of this proverb appears to be a situation in which evil men monopolized the supply of grain, withholding it from the market to increase the price. Similar evil practices are mentioned in Amos 8:4-6.

Proverbs 11:26. Often the rich withhold selling grain during shortages to let the price go higher and higher. How the people will curse such a character! But how the same people would bless him for not waiting for higher prices but releasing to their need!

Verse 27

Pro 11:27

Proverbs 11:27

"He that diligently seeketh good seeketh favor; But he that searcheth after evil, it shall come unto him."

"He who seeks what is morally good secures God’s favor, while he that seeks what is morally bad brings down on himself divine retribution.”

Proverbs 11:27. One who seeks to do right will obtain the favor of both man and God. As a young man Jesus “advanced...in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). So did the child Samuel (1 Samuel 2:26). So will a virtuous person (Proverbs 31:28-31). Those who traffic in evil will have evil (trouble) come upon them: Esther 7:10; Psalms 7:15-16; Psalms 9:15-16; Psalms 10:2; Psalms 57:6.

Verse 28

Pro 11:28

Proverbs 11:28

"He that trusteth in riches shall fall; But the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf."

The teaching of the antithesis here is that the man who trusts in riches is evil, and that the righteous man does not trust in riches, but trusts in God.

Proverbs 11:28. This man trusts his riches rather than God, something consistently condemned in the Bible: Job 31:24; Psalms 52:7; Mark 10:24; 1 Timothy 6:17. The righteous are often compared to the flourishing tree or leaf: Psalms 1:3; Psalms 52:8; Psalms 92:12; Jeremiah 17:8.

Verse 29

Pro 11:29

Proverbs 11:29

"He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart."

"The man who brings trouble on his family will have nothing at the end. Foolish men shall always be servants to the wise.” There is implied here the fact of a man’s primary obligation to be a blessing to his family.

Proverbs 11:29. God is displeased with one who makes trouble for his parents and brothers and sisters. He will inherit the “wind” (get nothing) rather than be included in the family inheritance. In life the foolish “serve” or work for the “wise”. The man wise enough to choose what he wants to succeed in and prepares himself for it gets much farther than the man who idly drifts from job to job and from day to day.

Verse 30

Pro 11:30

Proverbs 11:30

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that is wise winneth souls."

An alternate reading of the first clause is that, "The revenue of the righteous is a tree of life.” The proverb therefore deals with soul-winning, a truth missed by many of the translations and versions. The best rendition of the second clause here is in the ASV.

Proverbs 11:30. Men draw good from the lives of the righteous. To partake of the good from their lives is like eating of the tree of life. The righteous wisely win souls from the wrong to the right. This is a great Old Testament verse on the good influencing the bad over to the right way of life.

Verse 31

Pro 11:31

Proverbs 11:31

"Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; How much more the wicked and the sinner!"

The teaching throughout Proverbs is that in this present life the respective rewards of righteousness and wickedness are meted out; but while this is true in a secondary sense, subject to many variations, the far greater consideration was pointed out by the apostle Peter: "And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear"? (1 Peter 4:18). Tate tells us that, "The Greek text of this Proverbs 11 :(from the LXX) is reproduced almost exactly by the apostle Peter in 1 Peter 4:18.”

Proverbs 11:31. The New Testament mainly points to the final reaping of what we have sown (Galatians 6:7-9), yet there are earthly as well as eternal consequences of our sowing (Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 4:8). There are two yokes that one can wear in life: Christ’s and Satan’s. Christ invited those worn out with the terrible load of sin (wearing Satan’s yoke) to come to Him and to take His yoke instead, promising them soul-rest and a much better and easier way to live (Matthew 11:28-30). When one considers the sorrows and disappointments and intrigue and distrust that sin brings to a person, truly the way of the transgressor is hard (Proverbs 13:15).

Proverbs of Solomon - Proverbs 11:1-31

Open It

1. Who is someone famous you would describe as being a proud person?

2. Who is someone you would describe as being a righteous person?

3. About what do people usually like to gossip?

Explore It

4. What common themes are discussed in this chapter? (Proverbs 11:1-31)

5. What types of people are discussed in this chapter? (Proverbs 11:1-31)

6. What goes with pride and humility? (Proverbs 11:2)

7. How did Solomon describe the upright, or blameless, person? (Proverbs 11:3-6)

8. How did Solomon contrast the life of the righteous person with the life of the wicked person? (Proverbs 11:7-11)

9. What kind of person holds his or her tongue? (Proverbs 11:12)

10. What does gossip do? (Proverbs 11:13)

11. What kind of person can keep a secret? (Proverbs 11:13)

12. What is the result of too few or too many advisers? (Proverbs 11:14)

13. What does the wicked earn and the righteous reap? (Proverbs 11:18)

14. About what fact did Solomon say we can be sure? (Proverbs 11:21)

15. How did Solomon describe a woman with no discretion? (Proverbs 11:22)

16. What is the result of being generous? of being stingy? (Proverbs 11:24-25)

17. What is the result of trusting in money? (Proverbs 11:28)

18. What results from being righteous? (Proverbs 11:30)

Get It

19. What is the fundamental distinction between the upright, or blameless, person and the wicked person?

20. In what way is it true that pride brings disgrace while humility brings wisdom?

21. Why do you agree or disagree that pride generally results in disgrace while humility generally results in wisdom?

22. In what way do righteous people and wicked people generally get what they deserve?

23. Why does righteous living result in a better life?

24. Why are people tempted to trust in riches?

25. In what other things besides God are you tempted to trust?

26. When do you tend to be generous, and when do you tend to be stingy?

27. Why is it hard to be generous?

28. In what area of life do you want to be a more righteous person?

29. Concerning what do you want to be more humble?

Apply It

30. What steps will you take this week to become a more giving, generous person?

31. What can you do to cultivate a righteous attitude and character this week?

32. In what specific area of your life will you trust God rather than riches or talent?