Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the law [is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life:
23. the commandment the law ] or, their commandment their teaching, R.V. marg. The two renderings are practically the same. See on Pro 6:22.
reproofs of instruction ] “Light” is not enough: “all effectual instruction for the sinful children of men includes and implies chastening, or as we are accustomed to say, correction:” per molestias eruditio.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Compare Psa 119:105.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Pro 6:23
The law is light
The law is light
The fitness and beauty of this comparison of the law of God with fight are seen immediately.
If we consider the nature of law we find that it is like the nature of sunlight. There is nothing so pure and clean as light, and there is nothing so pure and stainless as the Divine law. There is nothing so ubiquitous as light. It is everywhere. How very like this light in the material universe is the law of God in the rational. The one naturally suggests and symbolises the other. The moral law is the ordinance which establishes and governs the moral universe. The command, Let there be light, founded and sustains the material world; and the command, Let there be supreme love of God, founds and sustains the rational and responsible world. Both commands are universal and all-pervading. Within the rational and reasonable sphere law is everywhere. But there are different degrees of moral light as there are different degrees of natural light. Our object now is to show the similarity between the moral law and the material light by looking at its influences and effects in the soul rather than by analysing its intrinsic nature.
I. The moral law reveals like sunlight. It makes the sin which still remains in the Christian a visible thing. Believers are continually urged in the Scriptures to bring their hearts into the light of Gods law that they may see the sin that is in them. If we would thoroughly understand our intricate and hidden corruption, we must by prayer and reflection intensify the light of the moral law that it may penetrate more deeply into the deep mass, even as the naturalist must concentrate the light of the sun through the lens if he would thoroughly know the plant or the insect. Every Christian who is at all faithful to himself and to God has experienced these illuminating and revelatory influences of the law. But for the believer the law makes its disclosures in a hopeful and salutary manner. The believer has been delivered from the condemning power of the law. The curse of the law Christ, his Surety, has borne for him.
II. The law for the believer in Christ attracts like the light. Light in the material world universally attracts. When the sun rises up and bathes the world in light how all nature rises up to meet it! Just so does the moral law attract the world of holy beings. They love the law for its intrinsic excellence, and seek it with the whole heart. Their very natures are pure like the law, and like always attracts like. If there be in any soul even the least degree of real holiness, there is a point of attraction upon which the law of God will seize and draw. There is a continual tendency and drift of a holy soul towards God. This view of the Divine law as an attractive energy is an encouraging one to the believer. It affords good grounds for the perseverance of the saints.
III. The law for the believer in Christ invigorates like light. This point of resemblance is not quite so obvious. We more commonly think of the air as the invigorating element in nature, yet it is true of the light that its presence is necessary in order that the spirits of a man may be lively and in vigorous action. The plant that grows up in the darkness is a pale and weak thing. Similar is the effect of the moral law upon one who is resting upon Christ. For the disciple of Christ the law is no longer a judge, but only an instructor. The terrors of the law have lost their power. The law also invigorates him, because, by virtue of his union with Christ, it has become an inward and actuating principle. His heart has been so changed by grace that he now really loves the law of God. For the believer the law is the strength of holiness.
IV. The law for the believer in Christ rejoices like the light. It is related in ancient story that the statue of Memnon, when the first rays of the morning gilded it, began to tremble and thrill and send forth music like a sweet harp. And such is the joy-giving influence of righteous law in the heavenly world, and such is its effect in the individual believer. It follows from this unfolding of the subject that the great act of the Christian is the act of faith, and the great work of the Christian is to cultivate and strengthen his faith. The moral law, like the material light, reveals, attracts, invigorates, and rejoices only because the soul sustains a certain special relation to it. (G. T. Shedd, D. D.)
Our lamp and light
Here the adjuncts of good precepts given by godly parents are set down, which show the good to be gotten from them.
I. Godly parents have many ways to guide their children. By commands, laws, wise reproofs, examples.
II. Directions of godly parents are a great help to show us the right paths of life.
1. Godly parents are careful that their directions should agree with Gods Word.
2. And they have walked themselves in the ways which they command.
III. Wise reproofs are very profitable from a wise man.
1. They are useful in the Church and commonwealth and family.
2. Because as instructions keep men from sinful courses, so reproofs bring men out of them and back to good ways again. Then be more careful to give reproofs to your friends. Be patient in bearing reproof, and make a good use of it. (Francis Taylor, B. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 23. For the commandment is a lamp] It illuminates our path. It shows us how we should walk and praise God.
And the law is light] A general light, showing the nature and will of GOD, and the interest and duty of MAN.
And reproofs of instruction] Or, that instruction which reproves us for our sins and errors leads us into the way of life.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Is a lamp; it enlightens thy dark mind, and clearly discovers to thee the plain and right way.
Reproofs of instruction; wise and instructive reproofs or admonitions.
The way to life; both to preserve and prolong this life, and to procure eternal life to those that obey them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
23. reproofs (Pr1:23) the convictions of error produced by instruction.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For the commandment [is] a lamp,…. The law of God is a lamp or candle to see to work by and to walk by; it enlightens the eyes and directs the feet, and makes working more pleasant, and walking more comfortable; and indeed wit, bout it a man knows not rightly what to do or where he should walk, or where he is walking; see Ps 119:105;
and the law [is] light; it makes things clear and manifest, what is right and what is wrong; it enlightens the eyes of the understanding, whereby persons come to see both their sin and their duty; and it directs them to avoid the one and do the other; see Ps 19:8;
and reproofs of instruction [are] the way life; kind reproofs given by parents agreeable to the word of God, which instruct what should be shunned and what should be performed, when attended to, put men in the way of an honourable and useful life; and are the means of preserving them from a scandalous and useless one.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Since in the idea of wisdom and of wholesome doctrine lie in one another, the author can proceed with proof:
For a lamp is the commandment, and instruction a light (Jerome et lex lux );
And a way of life, disciplinary reproofs.
That has here not the positive, specifically Israelitish sense, but the generalized sense of instruction in conformity with truth regarding the will of God and the duty of man, vid., p. 42. This instruction mediated by man, but of divine origin, is , light, which enlightens the man who submits to it; and the commandment, , which directs men in every case to do what is right, and forbids that which is wrong (including the prohibition Lev 4:2), is , a lamp which, kindled at that light, enlightens all the darkness of ignorance with reference to human conduct and its consequences. and are related to each other as general and particular, primary and derivative. Lwenstein accentuates incorrectly instead of (as the Cod. 1294 and the 3 Erfurt Codd.); vid., on the retrogression of the tone, not existing here, under Pro 3:15. The gen. denotes the object or character of the admonition: not disciplinary in the external sense of the word, but rather moral, having in view discipline in the sense of education, i.e., moral edification and elevation. Such corrections are , the way to true life, direction how to obtain it.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
TEXT Pro. 6:23-35
23.
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light;
And reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
24.
To keep thee from the evil woman,
From the flattery of the foreigners tongue.
25.
Lust not after her beauty in thy heart;
Neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
26.
For on account of a harlot a man is brought to a piece of bread;
And the adulteress hunteth for the precious life.
27.
Can a man take fire in his bosom,
And his clothes be not burned?
28.
Or can one walk upon hot coals,
And his feet not be scorched?
29.
So he that goeth in to his neighbors wife;
Whosoever toucheth her shall not be unpunished.
30.
Men do not despise a thief, if he steal
To satisfy himself when he is hungry:
31.
But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold;
He shall give all the substance of his house.
32.
He that committeth adultery with a woman is void of understanding:
He doeth it who would destroy his own soul.
33.
Wounds and dishonor shall he get;
And his reproach shall not be wiped away.
34.
For jealousy is the rage of a man;
And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35.
He will not regard any ransom;
Neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
TEST QUESTION OVER Pro. 6:23-35
1.
What is there about parental teachings that are like a lamp or light (Pro. 6:23)?
2.
How many times (different sections) in Proverbs does the author warn of wicked women (Pro. 6:24)?
3.
What is lust (Pro. 6:25)?
4.
What does precious life in Pro. 6:26 mean?
5.
What does Pro. 6:27 mean?
6.
Does Pro. 6:28 teach the same as Pro. 6:27?
7.
Has society been right in thinking that adultery is a terrible sin (Pro. 6:28)?
8.
Does Pro. 6:30 condone stealing?
9.
What did the law of Moses teach about restitution (Pro. 6:31)?
10.
What reflects such a mans lack of understanding (Pro. 6:32)?
11.
What about an adulterers reputation (Pro. 6:33)?
12.
Who is the angry man of Pro. 6:34?
13.
Whose gifts will such a man refuse (Pro. 6:35)?
PARAPHRASE OF 6:23-35
Pro. 6:23-24.
For their advice is a beam of light directed into the dark corners of your mind to warn you of danger and to give you a good life. Their counsel will keep you far away from prostitutes with all their flatteries.
Pro. 6:25-31.
Dont lust for her beauty. Dont let her coyness seduce you. For a prostitute will bring a man to poverty, and an adulteress may cost him his very life. Can a man hold fire against his chest and not be burned? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? So it is with the man who commits adultery with another mans wife. He shall not go unpunished for this sin. Excuses might even be found for a thief, if he steals when he is starving! But even so, he is fined seven times as much as he stole, though it may mean selling everything in his house to pay it back.
Pro. 6:32-35.
But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys his own soul. Wounds and constant disgrace are his lot, for the womans husband will be furious in his jealousy, and he will have no mercy on you in his day of vengeance. You wont be able to buy him off no matter what you offer.
COMMENTS ON 6:23-35
Pro. 6:23. The three statements of the verse are progressive: the commandment is a lamp; the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life. The truth is always enlightening and shows the way to go: The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes (Psa. 19:8); The opening of thy words giveth light (Psa. 119:130); Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path (Psa. 119:105); Jesus said, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life (Joh. 8:12).
Pro. 6:24. Oh, the importance of the young man growing up and not being taken in by the evil woman and her flattering tongue! Her flattery is warned against several times: To deliver thee from the strange woman, Even from the foreigner that flattereth with her words (Pro. 2:16); The lips of a strange woman drop honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil (Pro. 5:3); That they may keep thee from the strange woman, From the foreigner that flattereth with her words (Pro. 7:5).
Pro. 6:25. Lust in this passage is that burning desire for intimacies with her. It is that which gets into the heart, and it reminds us of Jas. 1:14-15, which says that a man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin. It was lust in Amnons heart for his half-sister Tamar that caused him to do what he did (2Sa. 13:1-14). Because of this Job made a covenant with his eyes so that he would not think on a maid (Job. 31:1). Pulpit Commentary says, The admonition is a warning to repress the very first inclination to unchaste desires. To harbor such lustful, unchaste thoughts and feelings in ones heart is to be guilty of adultery-in-the-heart before God (Mat. 5:28). To create this lust in mens hearts there are women who both subtly and openly go out of their way to attract the attention of men. The wicked Jezebel painted her eyes in an attempt to buy Jehu off from his military designs about her and her family (2Ki. 9:30).
Pro. 6:26. From this verse onward to the end of the chapter the discourse consists of a series of arguments…exhibiting the evil consequences of such indulgence (Pulpit Commentary). Many sinful habits have cost men a lot of money over the years (prostitution, gambling, drunkenness, smoking, etc.). Bible passages showing the financial outlay of immoral living: Pro. 29:3; Luk. 15:13; Luk. 15:30; Gen. 38:13-17. The evil consequences brought to mankind by a money-making harlot are of no concern to her (she hunteth for the precious life).
Pro. 6:27. The answer is no. Just as getting too close to a fire is inviting destruction by blaze, so getting involved with an immoral woman is a sure way to absolute ruin! This is a sin that no person can get away with. See Pro. 6:29 where the word so leads to the application of this questions answer.
Pro. 6:28. The answer again is no, and Pro. 6:29 applies to this verse just as it does to Pro. 6:27.
Pro. 6:29. One can no more commit adultery with his neighbors wife and get away with it unpunished than one can take fire into his bosom and his clothes not be burned or walk upon hot coals and his feet not be scorched. Who will punish him? (1) her husband: Jealousy is the rage of a man; and he will not spare in the day of vengeance. He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts (Pro. 6:34-35); (2) society: Wounds and dishonor shall he get; And his reproach shall not be wiped away (Pro. 6:33); and (3) God: They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21).
Pro. 6:30. Even though a thief will be punished upon being caught (Pro. 6:31), yet men are somewhat understanding if he stole out of extreme hunger.
Pro. 6:31. But even then he will still be punished. The law of Moses required a fourfold restitution of stolen sheep and a fivefold restitution for stolen oxen (Exo. 22:1). Zacchaeus spoke of restoring fourfold (Luk. 19:8). Possibly in Solomons day they had increased the penalty to a sevenfold restitution. Actually one might lose everything he had making the restitution (he shall give all the substance of his house). Pro. 6:35 shows that the injured husband of the woman will not take any form of restitution for a man having taken her.
Pro. 6:32. Adultery is an unwarrantable invasion of his neighbors rights (Pulpit Commentary). Other passages connect such action with a lack of understanding: Pro. 7:7; Pro. 9:4; Pro. 9:16. Lust has displaced right reason (Pulpit Commentary). Gods displeasure with adultery is seen in His commanding the guilty parties to be put to death under the Old Testament (Lev. 20:10; Deu. 22:22) and in His condemning the same to everlasting destruction today (1Co. 6:9-10; Rev. 22:15).
Pro. 6:33. Wounds may be those inflicted by the enraged husband as mentioned in Pro. 6:34; they may be referring to the wounds received by being stoned to death according to the law of Moses; or they may be associated with dishonor with which it is joined by and. People will talk about such a person, and the guilty may deplore that fact, but it is right here in the Bible that those guilty of adultery get themselves a reproach, and that reproach will not cease. Even after a person is dead or has settled down to a proper behavior, people will still remember him as the man who stole So-and-sos wife. God Himself was still talking about Davids sin with Bathsheba in Mat. 1:6.
Pro. 6:34. The worst feelings of anger are kindled in the man whose wife has been taken by someone else. Because of this there have been vicious fist fights, knife-stabbings, and shootings.
Pro. 6:35. Nothing that the guilty man can do to try to make amends or to appease the man whose wife he took will work. We must face the fact that there is something about adultery that is different from any other sin that man can commit, and its that way whether people like it or not!
TEST QUESTIONS OVER 6:23-35
1.
Comment upon Pro. 6:23.
2.
What does Pro. 6:24 warn the young man about?
3.
What 2 things does Pro. 6:25 warn him about?
4.
What does Pro. 6:26 warn him about?
5.
What is the answer to Pro. 6:27-28?
6.
From what 3 sources can a man expect punishment for his adultery (Pro. 6:29)?
7.
From Pro. 6:30-35 show that society looks upon adultery as worse than stealing.
8.
What 2 things does Pro. 6:32 affirm about the man who commits adultery?
9.
Comment upon the truthfulness of Pro. 6:33.
10. Comment upon the truthfulness of Pro. 6:34-35.
CHILDREN RECEIVE INSTRUCTION
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law (Pro. 4:1-2). A good father gives good doctrinegood teaching. His ways are right, and he is not going to misguide his child. Pro. 3:1 says My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments. Remembering what they are told is just as important in the home as remembering what God has commanded us. People forget what God says and disobey; children forget what parents say and disobey. I forgot, they say so often. They need to be taught to remember what they are told, and parents whose regulations are regularly kicked around with this I forgot business are weak parents, who are in the process of failing already with their children.
How important are parental instructions? Listen to Pro. 6:21 : Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. Listen again: Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart (Pro. 7:3). Bind is a strong word. Children should bind their parents teachings upon their hearts, fingers, and all to remind them of what they are to do.
But, there are some children who will not listen. A fool despiseth his fathers instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent (Pro. 15:5). Children who will not listen usually shows them to be such. While a wise son maketh a glad father, a foolish man despiseth his mother (Pro. 15:20). Pro. 13:1 tells of the way that a wise son will listen to his fathers instruction, and that there are sons who scorn every rebuke given. Yes, there will be outside forces, outside influences, that will seek to tear down our children. That is why the Proverb writer said, Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge (Pro. 19:27). What a text! Such sons and daughters come to no good end.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(23) For the commandment is a lamp . . .Comp. Psa. 19:8, and Psa. 119:98-100; Psa. 119:104-105. The servant of God may often feel much perplexity as to his duty, darkness may seem to have settled down upon his path. But there is always some commandment, or positive order, about which he can have no doubt, calling for his immediate obedience; there is always some law, or rather instruction in Gods Word offering itself as his guide; there are always some reproofs of discipline, that is, he knows he has certain things to shun, others to follow, for the purpose of self-discipline. It is by following out these parts of his duty that he does know, which are, as it were, a light shining in a dark place (2Pe. 1:19), that man prepares himself for more light and clearer vision; then God opens his eyes that he may behold wondrous things out of His law (Psa. 119:18); because he has some knowledge of Gods will and desire to do it, more is given unto him (Mat. 13:12), and his path becomes continually clearer, shining more and more unto the perfect day (Pro. 4:18).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. Reproofs of instruction Instructive reproofs, or restraining admonitions. Youth is self-willed, inclined to throw off restraints of law, and to indulge in sensual gratifications. An observance of parental commands, which, it is hinted, are also the law of God, will direct in all dark and dubious cases, and restrain from that which is dangerous.
Way of life Tend to life. On the first part of the verse compare Psa 19:8, and Psa 119:105.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Pro 6:23 For the commandment [is] a lamp; and the law [is] light; and reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life:
Ver. 23. For the commandment is a lamp. ] Or, Candle, whereof there is no small use when men go to bed, or rise early. He that hath the word of Christ richly dwelling in him may lay his hand upon his heart, and say as dying Oecolampadius did, Hic sat lucis; here is plenty of light. Under the law all was in riddles; Moses was veiled; and yet that saying was then verified, Et latet et lucet. There was light enough to light men to Christ, “the end of the law.” Rom 10:4
And reproofs of instruction.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
law is light. Figure of speech Paronomasia (App-6), v. torah ‘or. In Latin it would be similar: Lex est lux.
reproofs of instruction = what is directed. Compare Pro 6:20.
way of life = way to life: i.e. life eternal. See note on Lev 18:5.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the commandment: Psa 19:8, Psa 119:98-100, Psa 119:105, Isa 8:20, 2Pe 1:19
lamp: or, candle, Rev 2:5
and reproofs: Pro 5:12, Pro 15:31, Pro 29:15, Lev 19:17, Psa 141:5
the way: Pro 3:18, Pro 4:4, Pro 4:13, Pro 15:24, Jer 21:8
Reciprocal: Exo 25:37 – give Lev 24:2 – the lamps Ezr 7:25 – the wisdom Neh 13:3 – when they Psa 19:11 – Moreover Psa 119:92 – I should Psa 119:130 – entrance Pro 1:23 – my reproof Pro 1:29 – that Pro 2:6 – out Pro 11:9 – through Pro 15:5 – but Isa 51:4 – I will make Luk 11:36 – the whole Joh 5:39 – Search Rom 2:18 – being instructed Rom 7:1 – them that 2Ti 3:16 – for reproof
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6:23 For the {k} commandment [is] a lamp; and the law [is] light; and {l} reproofs of instruction [are] the way of life:
(k) By the commandment, he means the word of God; and by the instruction, the preaching and declaration of the same, which is committed to the Church.
(l) And reprehensions when the word is preached bring us to life.