Proverbs 13:18-25

TEXT Proverbs 13:18-25

18.

Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth correction;

But he that regardeth reproof shall be honored.

19.

The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul;

But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20.

Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise;

But the companion of fools shall smart for it.

21.

Evil pursueth sinners;

But the righteous shall be recompensed with good.

22.

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children;

And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

23.

Much food is in the tillage of the poor;

But there is that is destroyed by reason of injustice.

24.

He that spareth his rod hateth his son;

But he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

25.

The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul;

But the belly of the wicked shall want.

STUDY QUESTIONS OVER 13:18-25

1.

Refuseth correction in the first statement is set over against what words in the second statement (Proverbs 13:18)?

2.

Is there a connection between the thoughts in the first and second statements of Proverbs 13:19?

3.

Name a character in one of Jesus-' parables who smarted for having been a companion of fools (Proverbs 13:20).

4.

What does evil mean in Proverbs 13:21?

5.

In what way is the wealth of the wicked laid up for the righteous (Proverbs 13:22).

6.

Restate the contrast found in Proverbs 13:23.

7.

In what way does a person hate his son if he fails to discipline him properly (Proverbs 13:24)?

8.

What does betimes mean (Proverbs 13:24)?

9.

How is soul used in Proverbs 13:25?

PARAPHRASE OF 13:18-25

18.

If you refuse criticism you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept criticism you are on the road to fame.

19.

It is pleasant to see plans develop. That is why fools refuse to give them up even when they are wrong.

20.

Be with wise men and become wise. Be with evil men and become evil.

21.

Curses chase sinners, while blessings chase the righteous!

22.

When a good man dies, he leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren; but when a sinner dies, his wealth is stored up for the godly.

23.

A poor man's farm may have good soil, but injustice robs him of its riches.

24.

If you refuse to discipline your son, it proves you don-'t love him; for if you love him you will be prompt to punish him.

25.

The good man eats to live, while the evil man lives to eat.

COMMENTS ON 13:18-25

Proverbs 13:18. A wise son heareth his father's instruction (Proverbs 13:1) and shall be honored (this verse) while a scoffer heareth not rebuke (Proverbs 13:1), and poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth correction (this verse). Reproof is mentioned as a part of everyone's life for no one can be right all the time (Hebrews 12:6; Hebrews 12:9). Sooner or later each of us, somehow or in some way, pulls a boner and gets rebuked for it. Are we easily entreated? (James 3:17). Are we exercised by God's chastening? (Hebrews 12:11). If so, we will be honored; if not, poverty and shame will result.

Proverbs 13:19. The desire accomplished (some worthy goal achieved is brought about because of diligence, Proverbs 13:4) and is sweet to the soul (satisfying). The inventions of Thomas Edison began with an apparent need, followed by a belief that something could be done about it, urged on by a strong desire and determination to see it done, and pursued by his characteristic diligence, and when he ultimately came upon the answer, how gratifying to present its usefulness to his fellowmen! Consider Nehemiah's satisfaction when the wall was completed (Nehemiah 1:3; Nehemiah 1:5; Nehemiah 2:3-5; Nehemiah 2:17-18; Nehemiah 6:15). The bigger and the longer a task, the more diligence and patience and desire it takes to accomplish it. If there be a connection between the first and second statements of this verse, it is that while good men dedicate themselves to the accomplishing of their righteous desires, the fool would consider it abominable to give up his sins in order to live that way.

Proverbs 13:20. A Dutch proverb: He that lives with cripples learns to limp. A Spanish saying: He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas. An Oriental saying: He that takes the raven for his guide shall light upon carrion. The idea of apprenticeship is that we will be the wiser for having worked with those more advanced than we are. Younger men go to places of study and learning for this purpose. But others are contented with being companions of fool. The outcome: they will smart for it, like the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:13-16). It is too bad that some would rather smart than be wise. One's native wisdom and ideals are reflected in the companions that he chooses.

Proverbs 13:21. Evil or trouble is on the trail of sinners; it follows them wherever they go. It will ultimately catch up with everyone of them (on Judgment Day if not earlier). The righteous, on the other hand, will be recompensed for their good.

Proverbs 13:22. A good man works hard, accomplishes much and takes care of what he had (see last statement in Proverbs 13:11). He has something to pass onto succeeding generations. His children must also have been taught the lessons of thrift and economy, or there would be nothing left for them to pass onto his grandchildren. As for the wealth of the wicked man, there is an old saying that goes, The third generation shall not possess the goods that have been unjustly acquired. Sometimes it ends up in the hands of the righteous. Keep your eyes open in life, and you will get to see an example of this.

Proverbs 13:23. The last statement is variously translated: But there is that is consumed without judgment (Young's Literal); But there is that is destroyed for want of judgment (King James). The thought seems to be that work normally produces a good supply, but as Clarke observes: How much of the poverty of the poor arises from their own want of management! They have little or no economy and no foresight. When they get anything, they speedily spend it, and a feast and a famine make the chief varieties of their life. Migrant workers are often a good example.

Proverbs 13:24. The first statement puts the outcome for the attitude; that is, in view of what will result from sparing the rod, one is not really loving his child by sparing the rod (some claim they love their child too much to discipline him with whippings). It is better to spare the child from ruination than from the rod! Consider the wisdom of the saying: Spare the rod and spoil /the child. For chasteneth him betimes the Amplified says he punishes him early; American Bible Union says: gives him timely chastisement; early (Pulpit Commentary); others give diligently. Immediately seems to be the thought. A wise parent will not defer punishing, will not put it off and off and really do nothing about his child's disobedience.

Proverbs 13:25. The righteous may not be wealthy, but they will have enough (Matthew 6:33; Psalms 37:25). The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:14) exemplifies the latter statement.

TEST QUESTIONS OVER 13:18-25

1.

What serious personal reapings may result from refusing correction (Proverbs 13:18)?

2.

What is the promised result of regarding reproof (Proverbs 13:18)?

3.

What about a desire accomplished (Proverbs 13:19)?

4.

Why do fools not know this satisfaction (Proverbs 13:19)?

5.

What are the contrasting results of choosing wise men and fools for companions (Proverbs 13:20)?

6.

What finally catches up with sinners (Proverbs 13:21)?

7.

What comes to the righteous (Proverbs 13:21)?

8.

Why does a good man leave an inheritance (Proverbs 13:22)?

9.

What sometimes happens to the wealth of the wicked (Proverbs 13:22)?

10.

What are some other translations given for destroyed by reason of injustice (Proverbs 13:23)?

11.

What is the meaning of Proverbs 13:23?

12.

What strong language is used in Proverbs 13:24 for not properly punishing a child?

13.

What is the meaning of betimes (Proverbs 13:24)?

14.

What is God's material promise to the righteous (Proverbs 13:25)?

15.

What Bible character fulfilled the statement, The belly of the wicked shall want (Proverbs 13:25)?