Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does Proverbs Chapter 11 mean?

Solomon continues his wise sayings in this chapter by contrasting the conduct and character of the upright and the wicked. Those labelled “righteous” or “blameless” here are those who follow godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). Those who ignore God, and selfishly follow their own whims, are the wicked and unrighteous (Proverbs 3:32–33).

An upright, godly life leads a person in the right path. This keeps godly people from gaining a bad reputation, from suffering the consequences of sin, and from being taken in by their own greed. Those who reject wisdom are consumed and destroyed by their own evil. In particular, those who pursue wealth and worldliness at all costs will be left without hope (Proverbs 11:1–8).

Those who seek righteousness not only benefit their own lives, they are a blessing to others. Their generosity helps their neighbor, and in return they can expect help in times of crisis. The righteous person’s life is attractive; they “capture” the souls of others and encourage them to also honor God. Godliness keeps a person from inviting trouble, from offending others with slander or gossip, and from ruining their reputation. In contrast, the wicked person harms his neighbors and his family. As a result, he can expect to see his legacy ruined and his reputation hated. Even if the unrighteous person escapes some earthly troubles, he has no hope, at all, in eternity (Proverbs 11:9–31).

Chapter Context
This continues a long passage filled with Solomon’s general, common-sense observations. As in chapter 10, Solomon presents a variety of contrasts. We see distinctions such as those between integrity and dishonesty, trust in wealth and trust in the Lord, wise and foolish talk, true riches and false riches, the blessing of the righteous and the harm caused by the wicked, and the respective rewards of the godly and those who are evil.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,but a just weight is his delight.

God has a strong displeasure for dishonest business dealings; He approves of those who are honest in their professions. Amos 8:5 quotes crooked businessmen as looking forward to the end of religious holidays so they can pursue their crooked business practices. They ask: “When will the new moon be over, that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may offer wheat for sale, that we may make the ephah small and the shekel great and deal deceitfully with false balances?”

In Solomon’s time, scales were used in the transaction of business, and stones were placed in the balances to weigh what was sold or purchased. Dishonest businessmen would use light stones when selling and heavier stones when buying to determine the cost of a product. Today, an equivalent might be dishonest scales in a butcher’s shop or rigged pumps at a gas station. Spiritually speaking, any deliberate act to “take advantage” of others would fall into the same category. Dishonest business practices do not escape the Lord’s attention.

Context Summary.
Proverbs 11:1–8 describes the righteous life of a wise man in contrast to the corrupt life of a wicked man. The righteous person is honest and is delivered from trouble, whereas the wicked person is dishonest, crooked, lustful, and without hope.

Verse 2. When pride comes, then comes disgrace,but with the humble is wisdom.

This verse contrasts pride and humility. The word for “pride” used here is zā’don, which also means “arrogance.” This is a person who sees no need for God in his life. His overconfidence boils over into self-indulgent living and egotism. He believes he is master of his own fate, but he fails to understand that pride goes before a fall. Eventually, he will experience the humiliation of reality.

Acts 12:21–23 reports the awful effects of pride on King Herod. He donned his royal robes, sat on the throne, addressed a large crowd, and received the crowd’s adoration. Everyone shouted that he was a god and not a man. Rather than deflect such praise, Herod embraced it. Immediately Herod’s pride turned to disgrace: “an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last” (Acts 12:23).

Micah 6:8 cites one of the Lord’s requirements for His people is walking humbly with our God. Solomon observes here that humility and true wisdom go hand in hand.

Verse 3. The integrity of the upright guides them,but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

According to this verse, moral people lead lives conducted with honor, honesty, and reliability. The Hebrew root word for “integrity” is tummah, also translated “blameless” in other passages. This indicates moral wholeness or not having any moral blemish. This does not mean a person is perfectly free from all sin, of all kinds. It does mean someone whose life gives others no room for criticism. This reliance on living with integrity keeps the morally upright person on the right path. This helps them avoids much of the trouble which sin brings. Moral wholeness, such as that which comes from honoring God, leads to green pastures and protects from hazardous bypaths (Psalm 23:1–4).

However, the dishonest person is ruined by their own deceitfulness. In English, the term “crooked” implies someone who lies or twists for their own profit, especially with respect to money. Judas Iscariot is an example of a deceitful person who destroyed himself. He feigned love for Jesus by kissing Him (Matthew 26:48–49), but this was a lie. His real purpose was to identify Jesus to soldiers, who then arrested Him and led Him away to be tried and crucified. Suffering from second thoughts, but not a godly repentance, Judas threw the money he’d been given down at the feet of the religious leaders who hired him. Then Judas ran away to hang himself (Matthew 27:3–5).

Proverbs 13:15 tells us “the way of the treacherous is their ruin.”

Verse 4. Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,but righteousness delivers from death.

No one can buy his way into heaven. Wealth is useless when God directs His wrath at unbelievers. Modern English proverbs such as “you can’t take it with you” convey only part of the problem. Those who rely on money, instead of God, will not only lose their wealth in eternity, they’ll lose everything.

Luke 16:19–31 relates a story about a rich man who wore expensive clothes and ate plenty of luxurious food every day, but when he died, he went to a place of torment. His fate was sealed, and the money he’d earned in life was useless. The wrath of God had come upon him. In a similar parable, Jesus depicts a rich fool who takes comfort in his money, only to find his soul is in jeopardy (Luke 12:13–21).

Revelation 18 describes the fall of prosperous Babylon under God’s wrath. The merchants, “who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud” (Revelation 18:15). They cry, “Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste” (Revelation 18:16–17).

However, believers need not fear death (John 3:36). Clothed in the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), they enjoy victory over death, and when they die, they enter the presence of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21–23).

Verse 5. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.

This verse contrasts the lifestyles of those who pursue godliness with those who indulge in sin. This is similar in meaning to verse 6.

Scripture often speaks of a truthful, godly life using the imagery of a straight, clear path (Proverbs 3:6; Isaiah 26:7). This is the meaning of the term “blameless:” no one can legitimately accuse the righteous of wrongdoing. Although they are not perfect, they live above reproach. They walk with God in humble dependence on Him.

Jesus said His sheep—those who are true believers—know His voice and follow Him. They take the same road He takes (John 10:4). Truly righteous people walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). They walk in a manner worthy of their calling (Ephesians 4:1). They walk in love (Ephesians 5:1), and they walk carefully (Ephesians 5:15).

By contrast, the wicked conduct themselves in a way that is right in their own eyes, but wrong in the Lord’s eyes (Proverbs 14:12). They pursue evil, and they are at enmity with God. That rejection of truth and godliness often leads the wicked into destruction. In many cases—if not most—those who pursue evil in life suffer the consequences of those sins. Their wickedness brings unrest like the churning waves of the sea. God says, “‘The wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. There is no peace,’ says my God, ‘for the wicked’” (Isaiah 57:20–21). The wicked have unrest in this life an also in eternity.

Verse 6. The righteousness of the upright delivers them,but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.

The prior verse (Proverbs 11:5) makes a very similar point, using different phrases. A righteous person escapes from trouble and death. Trouble cannot trap him or defeat him. Leading a godly life means not engaging in the crooked, deceptive sins which lead to natural consequences. Godliness also leaves others no room for criticism, making it harder for evil people to tell lies about the godly person. His pursuit of righteousness empowers him to triumph over both.

Writing to the Corinthian church, the apostle Paul promises, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The righteous person can trust in the Lord to supply grace to help him in time of need (Hebrews 4:16), but the sinful, self-serving one does not trust God. As a result, he is helpless when trouble and death strike him. His evil desires spin a web that traps him and he has no way of escape. James writes: “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:14–15). It is all too common for those who indulge in sin to be destroyed by the consequences of that very vice.

Verse 7. When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,and the expectation of wealth perishes too.

According to this verse, the wicked person has no hope of surviving death. Death ends his quest for wealth, and his hope of becoming rich dies with him. Worse, the evil person plunges into an eternity without hope or redemption (John 3:36).

Jesus asked a crowd two vitally important questions. He asked, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his own soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” (Mark 8:36–37). If it were possible to accumulate and possess all the wealth of the world, its value would not equal the value of a person’s soul. Wealth will not last forever, but the soul lives beyond the grave, either in heaven or in hell. No amount of money can purchase eternal life.

Peter reminds his readers in 1 Peter 1:18–19 that they were not redeemed “with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”

Verse 8. The righteous is delivered from trouble,and the wicked walks into it instead.

Once again, Solomon contrasts the way righteous and wicked persons deal with life’s troubles. This uses the typical style of a “proverb,” which is a general case, common sense statement. Here, the typical pattern is that a moral life generally keeps a person out of trouble, while a sinful life often brings on terrible consequences. Obedience to God’s commands, in particular (Proverbs 1:7), helps a godly person avoid danger. Those who ignore this wisdom move straight towards their own ruin.

The book of Esther illustrates this truth. Mordecai, a righteous Jew, was delivered from the gallows wicked Haman had constructed for him, but Haman was hanged there (Esther 9:24–25). A wicked lifestyle leads to trouble. By defiling the body with drugs and illicit sex, a person experiences poor health. By committing crime, a person courts trouble with the law, and is likely to end up behind bars. By violating God’s command not to commit adultery, a person will encounter marital problems and may experience public disgrace. It is always wise to obey God and live under the smile of His approval.

Verse 9. With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

According to this verse, those who reject God and His wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) launch verbal attacks on their fellow men. The Hebrew word translated “godless” is hā’nēp, which also means something profane or deliberately set against God. It’s common to see those who express open hatred for God also indulge in hatred for other people. In doing so, such a person violates the command to love others (Leviticus 19:18).

When a lawyer asked Jesus to identify the great commandment in the law, Jesus replied: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37), and He added, “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). The godless man sins not only against his neighbor by profaning him, he also sins against God by breaking the second greatest commandment.

By contrast, the righteous person’s knowledge delivers him from sinning against his neighbor. He knows God commands to love his neighbor (John 13:34). He should be inclined to treat others fairly (John 7:24), rather than jump to conclusions based on the accusations of a godless man (Proverbs 18:13, 17).

Context Summary.
Proverbs 11:9–15 continues Solomon’s wise sayings, mainly addressing the speech of the righteous and the speech of the wicked. The righteous person speaks wisely and causes others to rejoice and be blessed. In contrast, the wicked person speaks foolishly and causes trouble.

Verse 10. When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

A “proverb” is a brief, broad statement of common sense. These short expressions of wisdom explain the normal, expected way of things. In this case, good people typically find themselves celebrated by others, and evil people see the world celebrate when they fall.

In Old Testament times, the impact of a few wealthy people on a city was greatly multiplied, compared to the modern world. When that wealth was in the hands of godly people, their buying power prospered their city and caused its people to rejoice. Further, those who pursue righteousness do not commit crime, and therefore bring a sense of security and stability to their community. Jeremiah 22:1–4 relates God’s promise of stability and security if the king of Judah would “do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place” (Jeremiah 22:3).

It is also generally true that a city’s residents openly celebrate the death or ruin of those they see as evil. The death of the wicked ends their earthly slander, lies, and hateful speech (Proverbs 11:9). The wicked may betray their city and divulge secret information to an enemy (Proverbs 11:11), or participate in crime, or crooked business (Proverbs 11:1), but all of those sins end when the wicked die.

Verse 11. By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

This continues the thoughts expressed in the previous verse (Proverbs 11:10). A city enjoys a good reputation because of the character and conduct of its righteous citizens. The upright pray for their city. Genesis 18 shows Abraham praying for Sodom after the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake” (Genesis 18:26). Jeremiah 29:7 records Jeremiah’s instructions to the Jews in Babylon. He commands: “Seek the welfare of the city where I [God] have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

Similarly, the apostle Paul instructs us in 1 Timothy 2:1–2 to pray for our government officials so that “we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” He indicates, “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:3).

Whereas the righteous exalt a city, the wicked residents destroy a city by berating its officials (Proverbs 11:9), spreading lies and rumors, and dealing in crime and crooked business (Proverbs 11:1).

Verse 12. Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,but a man of understanding remains silent.

It is foolish to deride one’s neighbor. This comes from the Hebrew term buwz, which implies contempt or a sneering form of spite. Snide, derogatory attitudes towards other people cause friction and hard feelings. If a man has good judgment, he will remain silent instead of deriding his neighbor. A flurry of insults never gains peace; refusing to say mean things about a neighbor contributes to a good, peaceful relationship (Proverbs 10:19; 29:20). At minimum, the choice to hold one’s tongue gives opportunity to rethink before saying something which cannot be taken back.

The apostle Paul counsels: “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17–18, 21). In the following chapter, he writes, “‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor” (Romans 13:9–10).

It has been observed that good fences make good neighbors; a certain level of separation and calm is important to getting along with others. Refusing to confront a neighbor verbally, and keeping attitudes like derision or arrogance in check, is even more effective than a fence.

Verse 13. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Scripture forcefully condemns gossip. A person who has been told a secret in confidence, but breaks that confidence by sharing the secret with others, is a gossip. So is the person who passes along information which is not theirs to share, or which they have no personal knowledge of. The Bible does not suggest there is never a time to share information—pastors and other counselors must sometimes share “secrets” in cases of abuse. However, they are also responsible for keeping the confidence of those they counsel in most cases.

Jeremiah condemns gossip by writing: “They bend their tongue like a bow; falsehood and not truth has grown strong in the land…Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer” (Jeremiah 9:3–4). Romans 1:29 includes gossips in a list of those whose minds are debased, and Paul insists in 1 Timothy 3:11 that the wife of a deacon must not be a gossip.

The apostle James goes so far as to say. “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26).

Unlike a gossip who fails to keep a secret is the person who “keeps a thing covered” (Proverbs 11:13). He is described in verse 11 as “trustworthy in spirit.” The best response to hearing scandalous, embarrassing, or personal information about others is to keep it to ourselves.

Verse 14. Where there is no guidance, a people falls,but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

This verse commends seeking advice from others; taking the step of conferring with other people makes one much more likely to reach a good conclusion. When people refuse to take good advice, and turn to “echo chambers,” where all they hear are their own opinions being repeated, they are more vulnerable to lies and errors.

The word “guidance” here comes from a term applied to the steering of a ship. A ship without proper guidance is likely to crash onto rocks, collide with another ship, or run aground. In the same way, people without worthwhile advice (Proverbs 27:17) experience disaster. Old Testament kings surrounded themselves with counselors. Wise counselors gave good advice about confronting an enemy, but unwise counselors brought trouble to the king and the nation. The more wise counselors a believer can rely on, the stronger and richer his life is. He is steered in the right direction.

Occasionally, wise counsel may point out a person’s weaknesses and his tendency to do the wrong thing. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” Good advice is not always pleasant advice, but true friends will not merely tell a person what they want to hear. Giving bad advice just to make friends is the mark of a false teacher. Paul counsels Timothy to warn the church at Ephesus about the influence of such people (1 Timothy 4:1–3). He tells Timothy, “If you put these thin

Verse 15. Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

Scripture does not say that all forms of lending are wrong. Rather, it points out the risks involved. In this verse, Solomon is specifically warning his students not to cosign a loan, or take on other debts or obligations, on behalf of a stranger. He had previously addressed this issue in chapter 6, but the mention of it again shows the serious of the transaction. If the first party to the loan reneges on his obligation to make payments, the cosigner is held responsible. This responsibility might bankrupt him and cause him to lose all his possessions.

Proverbs 22:26–27 likewise advises: “Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?” Solomon points out that there is safety in avoiding cosigning altogether. It is always wise to acknowledge God as the owner of all we have; we are simply stewards of what He has given to us. Therefore, we should be careful to use our funds in a way that He directs.

Verse 16. A gracious woman gets honor,and violent men get riches.

This verse suffers from translation from one language to another. The subtle point made here is easily lost when moving to a different culture or speech pattern. In this case, Solomon is still making contrasts. Here, he points to a woman who exhibits grace, and the respect she gains from others, as opposed to the money earned by those who are graceless. The implication is that a gracious person can earn both respect and income, whereas the callous person can only gain money. The context of this passage shows the callous person’s approach to be an extremely poor investment (Proverbs 11:4, 7). Some translations hint at this implication by adding the word “only,” though there’s no equivalent to this in the Hebrew text, itself.

First Samuel 25 reports an incident illustrating the difference between an unkind man, Nabal, and his kind wife, Abigail. Abigail was “discerning and beautiful,” but Nabal was “harsh and badly behaved” (1 Samuel 25:3). In fact, Nabal’s name literally means “fool,” and the root Hebrew word is used exactly that way in certain verses of Proverbs (Proverbs 17:7; 30:22).

David and his men were in the wilderness and in need of food as they protected local shepherds. He dispatched ten young men to request food from Nabal, the master of some of those shepherds. Although Nabal was very rich, and had 3,000 sheep and a thousand goats, he refused to grant David’s request. When Abigail, Nabal’s wife, learned about this, she hurried and carried abundant provisions to David. Soon, Nabal suffered a fatal heart attack, and Abigail became David’s wife. The kind woman received honor, but the violent man obtained only riches, which he left behind in death.

Context Summary.
Proverbs 11:16–22 continues Solomon’s series of contrasts. Here he compares the beautiful life of those who pursue God’s truth with that of those who live in their own sinful ways. He also contrasts the righteous person’s end of life with that of the wicked person. He portrays the wicked person as an abomination in the sight of the Lord, whereas the righteous person is a delight to the Lord.

Verse 17. A man who is kind benefits himself,but a cruel man hurts himself.

Solomon observes here the typical pattern of life: that kindness tends to benefit those who are kind, while cruelty often results in cruel responses.

The kind man honors the Lord by sharing his resources with others. In return, God blesses him. The recipients of his kindness honor him and show him kindness. Ecclesiastes 11:1 says, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.” In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). He also said, “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42). In Luke 6:35, Jesus promised, “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great.” Even when other men don’t reward kindness, God notices and responds accordingly (Matthew 10:42).

A cruel man is unkind. This gains him no admirers—only those who fear or hate him, even if they take advantage of his resources when they can. Such a person has nothing to look forward to but people’s disdain and ill wishes. He lacks genuine friends and leads a lonely life. By being cruel, he hurts himself. His death is more likely to be celebrated (Proverbs 11:10) than mourned.

Verse 18. The wicked earns deceptive wages,but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

This verse continues the contrast between a wicked person and a righteous person. The wicked person trusts in his earnings, but he is deceived. Money cannot satisfy the craving of the heart (Proverbs 11:6) or secure life beyond the grave (Proverbs 11:7). However, the righteous person performs righteous deeds and gains a secure reward. The Hebrew words for “deceptive” and “reward” sound similar: sā’qer and sedā’qāh. That rhyming pattern is part of how this proverb would be appreciated by its original readers. The similarity of the words is meant as an ironic contrast to the different outcomes earned by each approach.

Christ warned His followers not to work for perishable, temporary things, but for rewards that were eternal and tied to salvation (John 6:27). In other words, Jesus told us not to make material things our main goal in life. Rather our priority ought to be eternal, godly matters. At the Judgment Seat of Christ only what we have done on earth for Jesus’ sake will receive a reward (1 Corinthians 3:10–14; 2 Corinthians 5:9–10). Jesus promised, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life” (Mark 10:29–30).

Verse 19. Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,but he who pursues evil will die.

Solomon acknowledges that God rewards righteous living with life but inflicts death on those who lead a wicked life. As a statement of general wisdom, this is common sense. Those who pursue truth, goodness, kindness, and mercy are more likely to be respected and helped by others, while avoiding the natural consequences of evil and selfishness (Proverbs 10:24; 11:6, 17). Of course, good people suffer tragedy and loss, and evil people sometimes prosper (Psalm 73:1–3). The absolute fulfillment of this truth is in eternity (Proverbs 11:7).

Romans 6:23 encapsulates these ideas, saying: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The apostle Paul was steadfast in righteousness and could embrace death as a steppingstone to a crown of righteousness at Jesus’ return. He writes in 2 Timothy 4:7–8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day.” Throughout his Christian life, Paul maintained self-control so that would not become disqualified in the Christian race but would receive an imperishable prize (1 Corinthians 9:25–27).

Whereas the righteous can eagerly anticipate endless life (Proverbs 14:27), the wicked have no hope. Eternal death lies ahead for them.

Verse 20. Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord,but those of blameless ways are his delight.

Jesus taught that our own hearts are the source of evil (Matthew 15:19). Jeremiah 17:9 declare, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick.” Here, Solomon depicts the human heart as “crooked,” meaning “distorted.” This is the same term used in Proverbs 2:15 and Proverbs 8:8. Alternate translations use the word “perverse.” Such attitudes are out of focus with the Lord’s righteousness. Furthermore, those whose hearts are crooked are disgusting to God.

Isaiah 53:6 says we have all gone astray and turned to away from God. We have wandered away from God’s truth the way sheep stray from their shepherd. However, when the Lord saves a believer in Christ (John 3:16–18), He brings us back to the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3). Whereas those of a twisted, perverse attitude are displeasing to God, He is happy in those who seek to live by His truth. “Blameless,” as used here, does not mean sinlessly perfect. However, it does mean someone who diligently seeks to obey God, so that other people have no room to criticize their conduct.

Enoch is a good example of someone whose ways were blameless. While the human race was wandering away from God, Enoch walked with God, and God showed He delighted in Enoch. Enoch did not die, apparently, because God transported him directly from earth (Genesis 5:24).

Verse 21. Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished,but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

A common assumption for those who do evil is that no one will know, or that no consequences will be met (Psalm 10:3–6; 94:7). A common theme of the book of Proverbs is that consequences for sin are guaranteed for those who ignore God (Proverbs 10:16, 28). In most cases, that means the natural effects of cruelty, greed, and depravity (Proverbs 6:27–28; 11:8). Scripture acknowledges that godliness in earthly life does not come with an absolute promise of health and prosperity (Psalm 4:1–3; 73:1–3). However, the result of honoring God typically leads to more earthly safety, and absolutely brings eternal life (Psalm 112:2; John 3:16–18; 6:29).

An evil person may continue in his wicked ways, thinking he will not be punished, but this verse promises he will be punished. In the garden of Eden God told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Disobedience would incur the death penalty (Genesis 2:17). Sadly, Adam and Eve disobeyed and later died. First, they died spiritually, and eventually they died physically. Genesis 5 records the deaths of Adam’s descendants. Despite longevity, they all died. Hebrews 9:27 promises that every person will die and face judgment. Someday, every unbeliever will be judged at the Great White Throne and be consigned to eternal punishment (Revelation 20:10–15), but as this verse teaches, those who follow righteousness and godliness will go unpunished. Romans 8:1 assures us, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Verse 22. Like a gold ring in a pig ‘s snoutis a beautiful woman without discretion.

Women in Israel often wore nose rings for ornamental purposes, as is common in many cultures throughout the world, even today. The comparison made here is meant to be slightly shocking, as pigs were considered unclean animals. Beauty is represented by something small and insignificant, as compared to the disgusting, filthy, and enormous problem of indiscretion.

The virtue praised here is what modern English speakers would call “good taste.” This is a person’s awareness of what is appropriate, respectable, well-mannered, or dignified. A woman with “discretion,” in this case, is one who acts sensibly and with self-control, as opposed to one who is crude, offensive, or “tacky.”

Proverbs 31:10 describes a truly virtuous woman as “far more precious than jewels.” The apostle Peter stresses that genuine attractiveness is not achieved by adorning the body but by adorning “the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious” (1 Peter 3:4).

Queen Jezebel’s death provided a grisly example of the difference between outward beauty and inner discretion. She is traditionally assumed to be very beautiful, but clearly lacked moral character. On balance, in the eyes of God, she was ugly as a pig (Proverbs 6:16–19). She wickedly killed the Lord’s prophets (1 Kings 18:4), led Israel into Baal worship (1 Kings 21:25–26), and put a contract on the life of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:1–2). The earth’s last glimpse of Jezebel saw her with a painted face and an adorned head (2 Kings 9:30). But moments later, she was thrown from a window, trampled by horses, and eaten by dogs (2 Kings 9:31–37). Her lack of morality brought her to a horrific end.

Verse 23. The desire of the righteous ends only in good,the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

Proverbs are concise, common sense remarks that teach a general truth. They can also be poetic or have layered depth. In this case, there seems to be a double meaning: regarding both the intentions and the consequences of man’s morality. Those who are “righteous” pursue God’s truth (Proverbs 1:7), and those who are wicked seek their own preferences (Proverbs 5:22). This leads to both earthly and eternal consequences. Worldly results are not guaranteed (Psalm 73:1–3), though it’s more common for immoral people to suffer due to their choices. Eternal ends, however, are absolute: those who reject God have no hope after death (Proverbs 11:7).

The first implication of this verse is earthly. A righteous person’s efforts create goodness in the world. This corresponds to the typical reputation of good people: they are celebrated and appreciated for improving the lives of others (Proverbs 11:10). The opposite is true of evil people, whose greed and malice generate misery. As a result, their death is often celebrated by the world. Seeking God produces good results, for oneself and for others (Proverbs 1:7), and rejecting God leads to ruin (Proverbs 11:6).

The second implication is eternal. Those who sincerely seek after God will find Him (Matthew 7:7–8), which means finding eternal life (John 3:16–18). Those who reject God, embracing their own sin, will find themselves subject to the wrath of God (John 3:36).

In Psalm 23 David describes his personal relationship with the Lord as that of a sheep with its shepherd. Like a sheep that follows its shepherd’s leading, David followed the Lord and enjoyed green pastures and quiet waters (Psalm 23:2). He anticipated the Lord’s blessing throughout life: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6). Believers in Christ have a firm hope of future blessing. Paul refers to it in Colossians 1:27 as “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” In Colossians 3:4 he writes, “When Christ who is your life appears, then you will also appear with him in glory.” The wicked can only anticipate God’s judgment and destruction.

Context Summary.
Proverbs 11:23–31 is the closing section of this segment. Solomon discusses the benefits of righteousness and generosity as opposed to stinginess and trust in riches. The righteous person will prosper and live, but the wicked person will experience trouble and punishment.

Verse 24. One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Common English proverbs echo the sentiment of this verse. The expression “you only get what you give” captures a similar idea. Those who are generous with others often see that kindness repaid, especially in hard times. Those who are greedy or stingy frequently find themselves ignored during a crisis. Spiritually, God rewards those who recognize His ownership of all things and commit to using material resources to help others (Luke 6:38). Especially in the ancient world, when survival was more closely tied to one’s neighbors, this relationship was crucial.

In Israel’s agricultural society a good harvest was essential to prosperity. The more produce a farmer harvested, the more prosperous he became. However, The Lord had instructed farmers to leave some of the grain for the needy. Leviticus 19:9–10 commands: “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God.”

The apostle Paul reflects the truth of Proverbs 11:24 by writing: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully…God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6–7). In commending the Philippian believers for their generosity, Paul promised, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Verse 25. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,and one who waters will himself be watered.

Again, Solomon extols the virtue of generosity. This echoes principles taught by Jesus (Luke 6:38) and Paul (2 Corinthians 9:6–7). It pleases God when we lovingly serve others, including with material resources and care (Matthew 5:16; John 13:34–35; 1 John 3:17–18). Spiritually, we are guaranteed to see some benefit from doing good for others (Matthew 10:42). In life, it’s usually the case that generous people get help and support from others during hard times, unlike the greedy who are often ignored. The expected result of generous, loving kindness to others is reciprocal love and care.

Business-minded people can learn from this verse to be generous with their employees, and to give generously to the Lord’s work. While there are no guarantees (Psalm 73:1–3), such a business sets itself up to prosper. Employees will appreciate their owner’s generosity and consequently their productivity will increase. They will be inclined to stay longer and provide the business with the experience and knowledge gained over time. Customers often react positively to businesses they see as kind or generous.

A congregation, too, is blessed by giving generously to the needy. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9:10–11: “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way.” The stingy person or congregation cannot blame God for a lack of results. God does not need much to do great things, but

Verse 26. The people curse him who holds back grain,but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.

This continues to expound the theme of the last few verses. Those who are generous and kind towards others gain a good reputation, which serves them well and results in greater benefits (Proverbs 11:24–25). Those who are greedy can anticipate a cold response from others.

The imagery here is some crisis where food or grain is scarce. This might be a famine or other disaster. In that case, a greedy person might decide to hoard supplies, looking to profit from the desperation of others. That would allow the hoarder to charge a higher price as grain became scarce. The result of this is common sense: the people would curse them for doing so. However, a farmer who sold his grain, even in a crisis, to those who needed it, would be praised. Joseph’s extensive preparations put Egypt in a position to feed others during a famine, greatly increasing their reputation (Genesis 41:56–57).

The spiritual counterpart applies to believers and the Bread of Life. We are charged with the privilege and responsibility of sharing the Bread of Life with those who need it. If we withhold it, we deprive people of the opportunity to end their spiritual starvation. If we share it, people will have an opportunity to be fed spiritually. In turn, they will bless us, and not curse us. Like Paul, we are under obligation to all people, and should be eager to proclaim the gospel (Romans 1:14–15).

Verse 27. Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,but evil comes to him who searches for it.

It has been said that those who seek trouble are sure to find it. It is equally true that those who truly seek good will find it (Matthew 7:7–8). In the eternal sense, this is always true. Those who truly want to know and understand God will respond to Him in faith (Matthew 6:33). Those who reject Him will, eventually, be in a state of eternal destruction (Matthew 25:41, 46).

If we look for good in others’ lives or seek ways to enrich their lives, we will receive favor from both God and man. However, trouble seekers will receive distress or tragedy. The farmer who withholds his grain to sell it at obscene prices when the public’s need is critical will fall into the public’s disfavor. Those same people will hold him in high regard if he sells with no thought of waiting until he can exact a higher price (Proverbs 11:26).

Because Jesus always did what pleased His Father, we read in Luke 2:52: “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” His pursuit of godly things brought Him into goodness. Caleb was 85 when he requested the hill country of Hebron as his inheritance, and Joshua granted Caleb’s request because he “wholly followed the LORD” (see Joshua 14:6–14). Psalm 84:11 affirms: “No good thing does [the Lord] withhold from those who walk uprightly.” Troublemakers can expect nothing but trouble as the natural consequence of their evil attitude and actions.

Verse 28.Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

A common theme of the book of Proverbs is the danger of putting one’s trust in worldly wealth. Scripture does not condemn money, itself, but strongly warns against forgetting how temporary it is. Financial and material possessions can be taken away in an instant. In contrast, pursuing a right relationship with God results in eternal rewards, which can never be lost (Proverbs 11:4). Money cannot buy favor with God nor eternal life.

Paul writes to Timothy: “We brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world…But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:7, 9). He also tells Timothy to charge the rich “not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). The righteous can expect to receive rewards from the Lord, pictured as a lush plant showing signs of health.

An ancient king tried to use his riches to buy healing for Naaman, the leprous commander of his army, but his effort was fruitless. The prophet Elisha would not take any money, but commanded Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times, promising he would be clean (2 Kings 5:1–14). Elisha’s refusal to take money for this miracle emphasized that material goods are worthless compared to the knowledge of God. His servant, Gehazi, tried to take advantage of the situation out of greed suffered ironic consequences (2 Kings 5:26–27).

Verse 29. Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

Many verses in the book of Proverbs are warnings about the natural consequences of sin and stupidity. Truth and wisdom come from pursuit of God (Proverbs 1:7). Those who ignore truth set themselves up for failure (Proverbs 10:24, 27). In this passage, Solomon has noted several ways in which selfishness and evil lead to ruin, particularly in relationships with neighbors (Proverbs 11:10, 17). A key emphasis of this is selfishness, in contrast to generosity (Proverbs 11:24–26).

Here, the stress is on one’s relationship to family. To “trouble” in this instance might mean to be disagreeable or unkind. Other related proverbs stick to the theme of greed (Proverbs 15:27) and the consequences it brings. What Solomon seems to have in mind is not merely a person who is offensive to their family, but a person whose actions bring risks or consequences into the home.

To “inherit the wind” implies that there will be nothing left of the family; rather than having something to pass along it will be consumed. Along the same lines, those who act foolishly will lose the advantages they would have had. Those who are wise, in contrast, have a better chance to maintain or grow their success.

Exodus 20:5 refers to God bringing consequences for sin on “the third and fourth generation of those who hate [Him].” Often, children copy the bad behavior of their parents and contract the same trouble as they encountered. Saying “I was raised that way” is no excuse in God’s eyes. Herod’s family illustrates this truth. Herod the Great slaughtered Hebrew children in and around Bethlehem. His hope was to kill an infant Jesus. Herod Antipas killed John the Baptist. Herod Agrippa I, Herod the Great’s grandson, killed James and imprisoned Peter. Herod Agrippa II wanted to hear the apostle Paul, and after hearing him, sent him to Caesar. This family line was filled with trouble, and the end results were death and ruin.

Verse 30. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,and whoever captures souls is wise.

A righteous person seeks God and godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 3:32–33). As a result of following the Lord’s commands, he touches the lives of others with life and healing (Proverbs 10:21; 11:10). The Lord Jesus is the clearest example of this principle in action. He came to earth to minister and to give abundant life to all who believe in Him. He touched numerous lives with goodness and healing. When Peter proclaimed the gospel to Gentiles in the home of Cornelius, he said Jesus “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). Those who witnessed Jesus’ healing of a deaf person with a speech impairment observed, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak” (Mark 7:37).

Solomon also comments here about someone who “captures souls.” The context here of an appealing, life-giving tree is important. The person in question attracts others to see the truth (Matthew 5:16). Similar sentiments are expressed elsewhere in the Old Testament (Daniel 12:3) but are more prominent in New Testament passages such as James 5:20 and 1 Corinthians 9:19–23. Again, Jesus is the best example of this kind of “capturing.” He drew His disciples to Himself, and multitudes followed Him. Today, wise Christians share the gospel with others and lead them to Jesus.

Verse 31. If the righteous is repaid on earth,how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Solomon repeats here the general lesson of the last two proverbs (Proverbs 11:29–30). Both the righteous and the wicked receive the expected consequences of their choices. This is, of course, a general statement; Scripture clearly notes how, at times, evil people seem to “get away with” their wickedness here on earth (Psalm 73:2–3).

There are a few ways this phrasing can be interpreted. One is to suggest that godly people (Proverbs 1:7) can expect God to respond according to His approval. Those who anger God have even more reason to expect a response, in their case for their sin (Proverbs 11:7). Another possibility is that even good people are disciplined by God when they sin (Proverbs 3:12; Revelation 3:19), so those who routinely defy God are all the more subject to judgment.

A wicked person may be punished in the form of physical pain brought on by a reckless lifestyle. He may suffer emotional distress from conviction of sin. Other forms of punishment might include financial loss, disrespect, shame, imprisonment, and mental anguish. Judas Iscariot felt so miserable after betraying Jesus that he committed suicide. He admitted, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood” (Matthew 27:4), and then “went and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5). Such earthly consequences are the normal outcome of sin (Proverbs 6:27–28). Eternal costs for sin are unavoidable (Romans 6:23), for those who don’t turn to Christ for forgiveness (John 3:36).

End of Proverbs 11

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