Proverbs 11:12-21

TEXT Proverbs 11:12-21

12.

He that despiseth his neighbor is void of wisdom;

But a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

13.

He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets;

But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter.

14.

Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth;

But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

15.

He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it;

But he that hateth suretyship is secure.

16.

A gracious woman obtaineth honor;

And violent men obtain riches.

17.

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul;

But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18.

The wicked earneth deceitful wages;

But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.

19.

He that is stedfast in righteousness shall attain unto life;

And he that pursueth evil doeth it to his own death.

20.

They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah;

But such as are perfect in their way are his delight.

21.

Though hand join in hand, the evil man shall not be unpunished;

But the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

STUDY QUESTIONS OVER 11:12-21

1.

Is lack of respect equivalent to despising, or is despising always active (Proverbs 11:12)?

2.

Is a talebearer one who bears falsehoods, or is he also one who reveals truths that ought to be kept secret (Proverbs 11:13)?

3.

Faithful to whom or to what in Proverbs 11:13?

4.

According to Proverbs 11:14 one should have both .................. and ................ counselors.

5.

What is meant by being surety for another (Proverbs 11:15)?

6.

What would be included in being a gracious woman (Proverbs 11:16)?

7.

Does society or God (or both) cause the statements in Proverbs 11:17 to come true?

8.

What are deceitful wages (Proverbs 11:18)?

9.

Soweth righteousness reminds one of what well known New Testament passage (Proverbs 11:18)?

10.

What are the contrasts in Proverbs 11:19?

11.

Name Bible Characters who you consider were perverse in heart (Proverbs 11:20).

12.

What is meant by hand join in hand (Proverbs 11:21).

13.

What is meant by the seed of the righteous (Proverbs 11:21).

PARAPHRASE OF 11:12-21

12.

To quarrel with a neighbor is foolish; a man with good sense holds his tongue.

13.

A gossip goes around spreading rumors, while a trustworthy man tries to quiet them.

14.

Without wise leadership, a nation is in trouble; but with good counselors there is safety.

15.

Be sure you know a person well before you vouch for his credit! Better refuse than suffer later.

16.

Honor goes to kind and gracious women, mere money to cruel men.

17.

Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel.

18.

The evil man gets rich for the moment, but the good man's reward lasts forever.

19.

The good man finds Life; the evil man, Death.

20.

The Lord hates the stubborn but delights in those who are good.

21. You can be very sure that the evil man will not go unpunished forever. And you can also be very sure that God will rescue the children of the godly.

COMMENTS ON 11:12-21

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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).

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).

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.

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.

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).

TEST QUESTIONS OVER 11:12-21

1.

What two ways is wisdom shown in the neighborhood (Proverbs 11:12)?

2.

Does a faithful person spread rumors and tales or seek to suppress such (Proverbs 11:13)?

3.

What about the person who seeks no counsel or guidance from others (Proverbs 11:14)?

4.

How is smarting sometimes connected with suretyship (Proverbs 11:15)?

5.

What are the differing goals of a gracious woman and violent men (Proverbs 11:16)?

6.

How is one being good to himself when he shows mercy to others (Proverbs 11:17)?

7.

How does one trouble his own flesh by being cruel (Proverbs 11:17)?

8.

In what sense are the gains of the wicked deceitful (Proverbs 11:18)?

9.

What chapter in Psa. emphasizes the sure reward of the righteous?

10.

What are the differing attitudes toward evil and righteousness on the part of the wicked and the righteous (Proverbs 11:19)?

11.

What are the differing outcomes of pursuing evil and righteousness (Proverbs 11:19)?

12.

What group of perverse people of Jesus-' day were especially abominable (Proverbs 11:20)?

13.

Does God overlook the righteousness of the righteous (Proverbs 11:20)?

14.

What is meant by hand join in hand (Proverbs 11:21)?