Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Proverbs 3:23

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

The whole life for God (3:1-35)

Obedience and loyalty to God, in addition to guaranteeing his favour, produce the kind of life that most people acknowledge as honourable (3:1-4). If, instead of trusting in their own wisdom and ability, people live in an attitude of reverential trust in God, they can be assured that God will direct them in all their affairs. God will remove obstacles and lead them to their desired goals (5-8).
Personal income is one part of everyday life where people must honour God. They should give God the first share, not the leftovers. God, in turn, will honour the givers (9-10). But God’s blessings do not always mean prosperity. Sometimes he may show his love by allowing people to meet difficulties, with the purpose of correcting faults and improving character (11-12).
Riches cannot buy wisdom, but those who gain wisdom are rich in all that people most desire (13-18). By wisdom God created and maintains the world (19-20). People likewise should live and work by wisdom, thereby ensuring for themselves contentment and security (21-24). Wisdom will enable them to be confident at all times and prompt in helping others (25-28). They will not create trouble or cooperate in plans that hurt others (29-31). God is on the side of the humble, not the selfish or the scornful (32-35).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

THE CONFIDENCE AND SECURITY OF THOSE WHO WALK WITH GOD

"My son, let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, And grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, And thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh: For Jehovah will be thy confidence, And will keep thy foot from being taken. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, And tomorrow I will give; When thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbor, Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, If he have done thee no harm. Envy thou not the man of violence, And choose none of his ways. For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; But his friendship is with the upright. The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; But he blesseth the habitation of the righteous. Surely he scoffeth at the scoffers; But he giveth grace unto the lowly. The wise shall inherit glory; But shame shall be the promotion of fools."

"We have been watching celestial processes, but here we are brought firmly back to earth."Ibid. Not only did the previous paragraph speak of the Creation; but the separation of the beneficial waters by the heavens, dividing those beneath from those above, appeared in the mention of `the depths' and the `dew from the skies' (Proverbs 3:19-20).

"Let them not depart from thine eyes… so shall they be life unto thy soul" "The main thrust here is the security that wisdom gives."Broadman Bible Commentary (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971), op. cit., p. 21. The plural `them' refers to both wisdom and discretion. There is also a stern warning here that wisdom and discretion may be lost, escape, slip away, or depart from thine eyes. Therefore a constant guard must be posted against such a disaster.

"Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely" "Here it becomes very clear that wisdom means walking with God,"Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, op. cit., p. 65. doing his will, keeping his commandments, and doing so continually.

Lawton reminds us that, "No wisdom is sound that is not taught in the Word of God. Some kinds of wisdom highly esteemed in the world are not merely useless, but folly."George Lawson's Commentary on Proverbs (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1980), p. 47.

"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due" These verses (Proverbs 3:27-35) are declared by Tate to, "Have little or no direct connection,"Broadman Bible Commentary (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971), op. cit., p. 21. with the preceding verses. He made this a separate paragraph on, "Being a Good Neighbor"! Deane also wrote that these verses are, "A sixth admonitory address which demonstrates the conditions upon which wisdom and happiness are to be attained. It consists of a number of detached proverbs."The Pulpit Commentary, op. cit., p. 65.

In these final verses of the chapter, we are impressed with the fact that, "The value of the Book of Proverbs is its revelation of the application of wisdom to all sorts and conditions of people, and to the ordinary affairs of human life."G. Campbell Morgan, The Unfolding Message of the Bible (Westwood, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1961), p. 226.

"The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked" It is not only the physical dwelling which is meant here, but especially the `family' or `household' of the wicked; but it appears from Zechariah 5:3-4 that the physical residence of the wicked is also included. "This curse continues from generation to generation, the source of ever-recurring woes."Barnes' Notes on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, a 1987 reprint of the 1878 Edition), op. cit., p. 22.

"Surely he (God) scoffeth at the scoffers" This is also rendered, "He scorneth the scorners." "The word from which these translations come has many overtones of wickedness. It is one of the many synonyms for a wicked man. It carries the meaning of arrogant; and the opposite of it is `lowly' or `humble.'"Wycliffe Old Testament Commentary, p. 560

"It is pride that makes men scorners; men having an overweening conceit of themselves are likely to behave insolently toward others. Nebuchadnezzar, Haman, and Herod are Biblical examples of this wickedness."George Lawson's Commentary on Proverbs (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1980), p. 53.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Chapter 3

Chapter 3 continues to

My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments: For length of days, long life, peace, shall they add to thee ( Proverbs 3:1-2 ).

Now these are the three. And we get now into some couplets here. He gives sort of a word, and then he tells you what the result of it will be. And to keep the commandment in your heart, it will grant to you the length of days, long life, peace will they add to thee. Now the next little statement:

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about your neck; write them on the table of your heart ( Proverbs 3:3 ):

What? Mercy and truth.

So will you find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man ( Proverbs 3:4 ).

So you see the results of writing the laws of mercy and truth upon your heart.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him ( Proverbs 3:5-6 ),

And the result will be:

he will direct your path ( Proverbs 3:6 ).

How can I know the will of God? A question so often asked. Three steps. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Two: lean not to your own understanding. Three: in all your ways acknowledge Him. The result? He shall direct your path.

Now the next word of exhortation:

Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, depart from evil ( Proverbs 3:7 ).

And the result:

It will be health to thy body, and marrow to thy bones ( Proverbs 3:8 ).

You'll be healthy. "Fear the LORD, depart from evil."

The next exhortation:

Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all of your increase ( Proverbs 3:9 ):

The result:

So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses ( Proverbs 3:10 )

That would be the winepresses.

shall burst out with new wine ( Proverbs 3:10 ).

Now there is a basic law, and I'm not talking about the Ten Commandments or the law given by Moses, just a basic law of God as we speak of laws. We speak of laws of nature, or the law of magnetism, the law of gravity, the law of electricity, the various laws of nature. They're just there. We've studied them. We've been able to formulize them and understand them that they work. We don't always know why they work, but we know they work. We know that they are just basic laws of nature that they work. There's a cause and effect.

Now, in the same token there are basic spiritual laws that God has established that have a cause and effect kind of a thing just like any other law that is operating in our natural world around us. And there is a law of God concerning giving. And though we cannot understand exactly how it works, yet it does work. Now, I don't have to understand how electricity works to benefit from electricity. Even so, I don't have to understand how the laws of God work as far as giving to benefit from them.

Now here the law of God is stated, "Honor the Lord with your substance, and with the firstfruits of your increase." I believe that the firstfruits belong to God. The first thing that comes out of my salary or my wages were it ever, is earmarked for the Lord. If I've sold a piece of property, the increase, the firstfruits of it I give to God of the increase. Honoring God with your substance. Now this law is stated throughout the Bible many places and is illustrated in many places.

In Malachi, we read, "Will a man rob God? You say, 'Well, wherein have we robbed God?' And God said, 'In your tithes and in your offerings. Now prove Me and see if I will not pour out unto you a blessing which you cannot contain'" ( Malachi 3:8 , Malachi 3:10 ). God challenges you to test this law. Jesus said, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; measured out, pressed down, running over, shall men give unto your bosom" ( Luke 6:38 ). Paul the apostle said that if we sow sparingly, we will reap sparingly; but if we sow bountifully, we're going to reap bountifully ( 2 Corinthians 9:6 ). "In whatever measure you mete, it's going to be measured to you again" ( Matthew 7:2 ), the law of God.

I cannot tell you how it works. All I can do is affirm for you that it does work. God honors that law of giving. And so here is Solomon exhorting his son, "Honor the Lord with your substance and with the firstfruit of all of your increase." What will the result be? "Your barns will be filled with plenty. Your presses shall burst out with new wine."

The next exhortation is:

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delights ( Proverbs 3:11-12 ).

In Hebrews this passage or this proverb is quoted. "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord." Now in Hebrews, he adds, "For He chastens every son that He receives and if a person isn't chastened of the Lord" ( Hebrews 12:6 ). If you can get by with evil, then you better be very concerned. Because if you're a child of God, He's not going to let you get by with evil.

Now a lot of times if we venture into something that we know is wrong and we get caught, then we get real upset with God. "How come they can do it and they can get by with it? I do it and I get caught, you know. Not fair!" If you can do it and get by with it, then you're in a dangerous place. That's an indication you're not a true son of God. God only chastens his sons. So the chastening process of God in my life is always a very comforting process, because at least it proves that I'm His son. He's not going to let me get by with it. Thank You, Father. So, don't despise the chastening of the Lord; don't be weary with His correction. For whom the Lord loveth He corrects."

Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding: For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, the gain is better than gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all of the things that you can desire are not to be compared unto wisdom and understanding ( Proverbs 3:13-15 ).

Oh, that we would really gain wisdom and understanding of God, of God's will, of life.

Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are the ways of pleasantness, all of her paths are peace ( Proverbs 3:16-17 ).

Oh, the benefit of rich and the riches that come from wisdom and understanding.

She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retains her ( Proverbs 3:18 ).

So all of these things that we count as important: pleasantness, peace, life, happiness. These things all come to the person who has gained wisdom and understanding. Now as he extols wisdom and tells of its effects and results.

The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy neck. Then shall you walk in the way safely, and your foot shall not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid: yea, you will lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear [or sudden terror], that comes upon the wicked ( Proverbs 3:19-25 ).

When the day of judgment and terror comes, you don't need to be afraid. You can have that confidence, I'm a child of God.

For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken ( Proverbs 3:26 ).

When the day of calamity comes upon the wicked, we do not need to fear.

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it ( Proverbs 3:27 ).

This is stated by the New Testament also, "To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, it is evil" ( James 4:17 ). You have the capacity to do good and you fail to do it, that's just as much a sin as some overt act of sin. There are sins of failing to do the right thing, just as there are sins of doing the wrong thing. There are sins of omission, omitting to do that which is right or good.

Say not to your neighbor, Go, and come again to-morrow, and I will give it to you; when it's by your side ( Proverbs 3:28 ).

In other words, don't forestall or put him off.

Devise not evil against your neighbor, seeing that he's dwelling securely by you. Strive not with a man without cause, if he hasn't done you any harm ( Proverbs 3:29-30 ).

Don't go looking for a fight and just getting into trouble.

Envy not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD: but God's secret is with the righteous. The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the dwelling place of the just. Surely he scorns the scorners: but he gives grace unto the lowly ( Proverbs 3:31-34 ).

"Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift thee up" ( James 4:10 ). "He that exalteth himself shall be abased; he that humbleth himself shall be exalted" ( Matthew 23:12 ). All of these really come, they're the expression of the same truth. "Surely He scorneth the scorners, but He gives grace to the lowly."

The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools ( Proverbs 3:35 ). "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

5. The value of Wisdom 3:13-35

"Sages reserve the laudatory exclamation blessed (’asre [Proverbs 3:13]) for people who experience life optimally, as the Creator intended." [Note: Waltke, The Book . . ., p. 256.]

Long life, riches, and honor (Proverbs 3:16) were the rewards God promised the godly under the Old Covenant. The tree of life figure (Proverbs 3:18) implies that wisdom is the source and sustainer of a long and beneficial life (cf. Proverbs 3:16). [Note: See Ralph Marcus, "The Tree of Life in Proverbs," Journal of Biblical Literature 62 (1943):117-20.] The point is that by pursuing the way of wisdom, a person can obtain the best things God has to offer him or her.

"It’s good to have the things money can buy, provided you don’t lose the things money can’t buy. What good is an expensive house if there’s no happy home within it? Happiness, pleasantness, and peace aren’t the guaranteed by-products of financial success, but they are guaranteed to the person who lives by God’s wisdom. Wisdom becomes a ’tree of life’ to the believer who takes hold of her, and this is a foretaste of heaven (Revelation 22:1-2)." [Note: Wiersbe, p. 40.]

In Proverbs 3:21-35 we can see the quality of love in the wise son. Proverbs 3:27-30 deal with neighborliness. The situation in view in Proverbs 3:27-28 is one in which someone owes money, not one in which giving is an act of charity (cf. Leviticus 19:13). The point is: pay your debts promptly. [Note: Kidner also included a subject study on the friend (Proverbs 3:29-30), pp. 44-46.] We could apply Proverbs 3:30 by taking it as a warning against hauling someone into court on flimsy accusations. [Note: McKane, p. 300.]

"The Book of Proverbs is the best manual you’ll find on people skills, because it was given to us by the God who made us, the God who can teach us what we need to know about human relationships, whether it’s marriage, the family, the neighborhood, the job, or our wider circle of friends and acquaintances. If we learn and practice God’s wisdom as presented in Proverbs, we’ll find ourselves improving in people skills and enjoying life much more." [Note: Wiersbe, p. 97.]

Proverbs 3:31-35 warn against the temptation to resort to violence when we deal with neighbors. One must decide if he or she wants to be odious to God or be His intimate friend (Proverbs 3:32). That is the issue in choosing the ways of the wicked or those of the upright. James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 quote the Septuagint version of Proverbs 3:34. Proverbs 3:35 probably means that fools display dishonor because that is what they get for their choices-in contrast to the wise, who get honor.

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Then shall thou walk in thy way safely,.... In the way of thy duty and business, without fear of any enemy; having in sight the Captain of salvation gone before, and walking in such ways of pleasantness and peace as Wisdom's are; and having such a lamp to the feet, and such a light unto the paths, as the Gospel and its doctrines be;

and thy foot shall not stumble; at the word and the truths of it, as some men do, being thereunto appointed; and at Christ, the stumbling stone laid in Zion, particularly at his justifying righteousness; see 1 Peter 2:8.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:   22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.   23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.   24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.   25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.   26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

      Solomon, having pronounced those happy who not only lay hold on wisdom, but retain her, here exhorts us therefore to retain her, assuring us that we ourselves shall have the comfort of doing so.

      I. The exhortation is, to have religion's rules always in view and always at heart, Proverbs 3:21; Proverbs 3:21. 1. To have them always in view: "My son, let them not depart from thy eyes; let not thy eyes ever depart from them to wander after vanity. Have them always in mind, and do not forget them; be ever and anon thinking of them, and conversing with them, and never imagine that thou hast looked upon them long enough and that it is time now to lay them by; but, as long as thou livest, keep up and cultivate thy acquaintance with them." He who learns to write must always have his eye upon his copy, and not let that be out of his sight; and to the words of wisdom must those, in like manner, have a constant respect, who will walk circumspectly. 2. To have them always at heart; for it is in that treasury, the hidden man of the heart, that we must keep sound wisdom and discretion, keep to the principles of it and keep in the ways of it. It is wealth that is worth keeping.

      II. The argument to enforce this exhortation is taken from the unspeakable advantage which wisdom, thus kept, will be of to us. 1. In respect of strength and satisfaction: "It will be life to thy soul (Proverbs 3:22; Proverbs 3:22); it will quicken thee to thy duty when thou beginnest to be slothful and remiss; it will revive thee under thy troubles when thou beginnest to droop and despond. It will be thy spiritual life, an earnest of life eternal." Life to the soul is life indeed. 2. In respect of honour and reputation: It shall be grace to thy neck, as a chain of gold, or a jewel. Grace to thy jaws (so the word is), grateful to thy taste and relish (so some); it shall infuse grace into all thou sayest (so others), shall furnish thee with acceptable words, which shall gain thee credit. 3. In respect of safety and security. This he insists upon in Proverbs 3:23-26, the scope of which is to show that the effect of righteousness (which is the same with wisdom here) is quietness and assurance for ever,Isaiah 32:17. Good people are taken under God's special protection, and therein they may have an entire satisfaction. They are safe and may be easy, (1.) In their motions by day, Proverbs 3:23; Proverbs 3:23. If our religion be our companion, it will be our convoy: "Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely. The natural life, and all that belongs to it, shall be under the protection of God's providence; the spiritual life, and all its interests, are under the protection of his grace; so that thou shalt be kept from falling into sin or trouble." Wisdom will direct us into, and keep us in, the safe way, as far as may be, from temptation, and will enable us to walk in it with holy security. The way of duty is the way of safety. "We are in danger of falling, but wisdom will keep thee, that thy foot shall not stumble at those things which are an offence and overthrow to many, but which thou shalt know how to get over." (2.) In their rest by night, Proverbs 3:24; Proverbs 3:24. In our retirements we lie exposed and are most subject to frights. "But keep up communion with God, and keep a good conscience, and then when thou liest down thou shalt not be afraid of fire, or thieves, or specters, or any of the terrors of darkness, knowing that when we, and all our friends, are asleep, yet he that keeps Israel and every true-born Israelite neither slumbers nor sleeps, and to him thou hast committed thyself and taken shelter under the shadow of his wings. Thou shalt lie down, and not need to sit up to keep guard; having lain down, thou shalt sleep, and not have thy eyes held waking by care and fear; and thy sleep shall be sweet and refreshing to thee, being not disturbed by any alarms from without or from within," Psalms 4:8; Psalms 116:7. The way to have a good night is to keep a good conscience; and the sleep, as of the labouring man, so of the wise and godly man, is sweet. (3.) In their greatest straits and dangers. Integrity and uprightness will preserve us, so that we need not be afraid of sudden fear,Proverbs 3:25; Proverbs 3:25. The harms that surprise us, unthought of, giving us no time to arm ourselves by consideration, are most likely to put us into confusion. But let not the wise and good man forget himself, and then he will not give way to any fear that has torment, be the alarm ever so sudden. Let him not fear the desolation of the wicked, when it comes, that is, [1.] The desolation which the wicked ones make of religion and the religious; though it comes, and seems to be just at the door, yet be not afraid of it; for, though God may make use of the wicked as instruments of his people's correction, yet he will never suffer them to be the authors of their desolation. Or rather, [2.] The desolation which wicked men will be brought into in a moment. It will come, and timorous saints may be apprehensive that they shall be involved in it; but let this be their comfort, that though judgments lay waste generally, at least promiscuously, yet God knows who are his and how to separate between the precious and the vile. Therefore be not afraid of that which appears most formidable, for (Proverbs 3:26; Proverbs 3:26) "the Lord shall be not only thy protector to keep thee safe, but thy confidence to keep thee secure, so that thy foot shall not be taken by thy enemies nor ensnared by thy own fears." God has engaged to keep the feet of his saints.