Proverbs Chapter 11
Blessings to the Righteous and Upright
(Proverbs 11:1–4)
Proverbs 11:1
“Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.”
The Lord despises dishonesty in all forms, even in the seemingly small matters of business and trade. The word abomination is reserved in Scripture for the most detestable sins, showing that deceit and fraud are not minor faults in God’s eyes. The Lord is a God of truth, and to act falsely in any way is to rebel against His nature. The use of dishonest scales, whether literal or symbolic, represents corruption, greed, and manipulation. It is an insult to the righteousness of God who judges with perfect balance and fairness.
In contrast, the Lord delights in honesty and fairness. Those who maintain integrity in their dealings reflect His character. God finds joy in those who refuse to exploit others, who conduct business with clean hands and upright hearts. The Mosaic Law made this standard clear: “Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 19:35–36). Likewise, “Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the Lord thy God” (Deuteronomy 25:13–16). God connects honest work with covenant blessing and dishonest work with His judgment.
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”
Pride always precedes downfall. It blinds a person to their dependence upon God and leads to arrogance, self-exaltation, and eventually humiliation. Those who elevate themselves inevitably fall, for God resists the proud. As it is written, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). Likewise, “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). Pride deceives a person into thinking they are untouchable, yet it leads directly to shame and destruction.
In contrast, humility brings wisdom. The humble recognize their own limitations and submit themselves to God’s authority. True humility does not mean weakness but an accurate understanding of oneself before a holy God. It enables a man or woman to walk wisely, seeking counsel and direction from the Lord. As Micah 6:8 declares, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
The humble spirit seeks no applause or self-promotion. As Clarke observed, the humble man expects nothing in the way of praise and therefore cannot be disappointed. He finds his contentment in pleasing God rather than men. Pride seeks recognition and ends in disgrace; humility seeks obedience and ends in honor.
Proverbs 11:3
“The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.”
Integrity is the inner compass of the righteous. It is consistency between belief and behavior, between faith and action. The upright do not live with divided hearts or hidden sins. Because of this, they are guided by the clarity that comes from honesty and purity of motive. They need not fear exposure, for their lives are transparent before God. Their conscience, enlightened by the Spirit, directs them in truth.
In contrast, the crookedness of transgressors leads to ruin. Those who twist truth or manipulate others eventually fall into the traps they set. Their deceit becomes their undoing. Sin always promises advancement but delivers destruction. The unfaithful lose their way because they have rejected the light of righteousness that would have guided them safely.
Proverbs 11:4
“Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.”
Earthly wealth can bring temporary comfort, but it is powerless in the face of divine judgment. No amount of money can buy a reprieve from the wrath of God or from death itself. As the Lord said to the rich fool, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20). In the day of wrath, silver and gold are worthless.
History itself illustrates this truth. Cardinal Henry Beaufort, dying in his riches, cried, “Will not death be hired? Will money do nothing?” But no wealth could save him. As John Trapp noted, his riches could not reprieve him.
The only true deliverance comes through righteousness, which cannot be purchased but must be received through faith. As it is written, “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:33–34). The righteous man, whose life is centered on God, possesses that which endures beyond death. His righteousness, grounded in the grace of God, delivers his soul in the day of wrath, securing his place in eternal life.
Blessings to the Righteous and the Downfall of the Wicked
(Proverbs 11:5–8)
Proverbs 11:5
“The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.”
The righteousness of the blameless, or perfect, directs his path because his life is ordered by the principles of God’s Word. Such a man or woman walks securely, guided by the moral compass of righteousness. This direction is not based on personal wisdom but upon the divine law that illuminates the way of those who trust in the Lord. As it is written, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way” (Psalm 37:23). The righteous have confidence in God’s providence, knowing that He oversees their path and directs them aright even through trials.
In contrast, the wicked will inevitably fall by their own wickedness. Sin carries the seeds of its own destruction. The ungodly man’s downfall often comes from his own actions, deceit, and pride. He needs no special act of divine intervention to fall; his sin is the very cause of his ruin. As James 1:14–15 declares, “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Sin is both the deceiver and the destroyer, leading the wicked to their own undoing.
Proverbs 11:6
“The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.”
Righteousness provides deliverance to the upright, not merely from temporal troubles but ultimately from eternal condemnation. The integrity of those who walk with God shields them from many snares of life, and their righteousness, being the fruit of faith, delivers them from destruction. God promises to be their refuge and strength, preserving them in adversity. Psalm 34:19 assures this truth: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”
On the other hand, the unfaithful or transgressors are ensnared by their own lusts. Their desires, uncontrolled and sinful, become chains that bind them. Lust always promises pleasure but ends in captivity. The wicked are not merely victims of circumstance; they are caught by the very sins they choose to pursue. As Proverbs 5:22 warns, “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.” The unfaithful fall into the pit they have dug, taken in their own devices and desires.
Proverbs 11:7
“When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.”
The death of the wicked brings an abrupt and eternal end to all his false hopes. The worldly man may spend his life expecting prosperity, recognition, or even divine favor, yet death shatters all such expectations. Hebrews 9:27 declares the sobering reality: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Whatever the wicked hoped to gain in life—wealth, fame, or pleasure—dies with him, leaving him to face the eternal consequences of his rebellion.
The unjust man’s hope perishes because it was founded upon lies and temporal things. His hope never looked beyond the grave, and so it dies there. As Morgan observed, the hope of the wicked lies wholly on this side of the grave. Clarke further noted that though the wicked often hope for heaven, they refuse to turn from their sins. Their hope is vain, for it ends in eternal loss. Job 8:13–14 puts it plainly: “So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish: whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web.” The false security of the ungodly dissolves at death, while the righteous enter into their everlasting reward.
Proverbs 11:8
“The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.”
The Lord’s providence ensures the deliverance of His people. The righteous may endure trials and afflictions, yet they will ultimately be freed, whether in this life or the next. God’s justice ensures that trouble will not hold the righteous forever. As Psalm 34:17–19 affirms, “The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”
Meanwhile, the very trouble meant for the righteous often turns upon the wicked. The wicked may scheme against God’s people, yet those very schemes return upon their own heads. This divine reversal is seen throughout Scripture: the Israelites were delivered from the Red Sea, but the Egyptians perished in it (Exodus 14:21–28); Mordecai was saved from the gallows, but Haman was hanged upon them (Esther 7:10); Peter was rescued from prison, but his persecutors were judged (Acts 12:5–19). Thus, God ensures that justice is served, delivering His people and allowing the wicked to reap what they have sown.
For the righteous, this world holds the greatest trouble they will ever know. For the wicked, this world holds the only comfort they will ever know, for their greatest trouble awaits them beyond the grave.
The Power of Words: The Influence of the Righteous and the Wicked
(Proverbs 11:9–12)
Proverbs 11:9
“An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.”
The hypocrite is one who presents a false image of virtue while harboring deceit in his heart. His weapon is his mouth, and his speech often brings destruction to those around him. Through slander, manipulation, or false accusation, he injures his neighbor while pretending righteousness. Such duplicity is condemned throughout Scripture. As James 3:6 declares, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” Words can destroy reputations, divide friendships, and sow seeds of hatred that lead to ruin.
History and Scripture both testify to this destructive pattern. Haman, feigning loyalty to the king, plotted to destroy an entire nation (Esther 3:8–13). Likewise, Ziba slandered Mephibosheth to David under the guise of faithfulness (2 Samuel 16:1–4; compare 19:26–27). The hypocrite thus reveals his true nature by using his tongue as an instrument of deceit rather than truth.
In contrast, the righteous are delivered through knowledge. This is not mere intellectual awareness but godly wisdom and understanding that come from a living relationship with the Lord. As Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” The righteous, guided by discernment and truth, escape the snares of the hypocrite and the destruction of deceit.
Proverbs 11:10
“When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.”
When the righteous prosper, their blessing extends beyond themselves and benefits the entire community. God’s favor upon the upright brings peace, justice, and stability, causing the city to rejoice. Virtuous men and women, when advanced to positions of influence, promote fairness and integrity that uplift society. As Proverbs 29:2 declares, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”
The presence of godly leadership results in rejoicing because people anticipate justice and tranquility. The community sees the righteous as agents of God’s blessing and order. On the other hand, when the wicked perish, there is jubilation. Their demise means relief from oppression, corruption, and fear. Their removal from power or influence allows righteousness to flourish once again. As history shows, societies have often celebrated the downfall of tyrants and oppressors—Rome rejoiced at Nero’s death, and France exulted when Robespierre fell. This principle endures: a city thrives when righteousness prevails but groans under the weight of wicked rule.
Proverbs 11:11
“By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.”
The righteous bring blessing not only upon themselves but upon their community. Their prayers, integrity, and godly influence elevate the moral and spiritual condition of society. The blessing of God upon the upright spreads outward, strengthening the foundations of a city. Psalm 33:12 captures this truth: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” When God’s people live righteously, their obedience brings divine favor that exalts their surroundings.
However, the wicked, by their words, can destroy an entire city. Lies, deceit, and slander can ignite division and unrest, toppling even the most stable communities. The tongue of the wicked may incite rebellion, spread falsehood, or pervert justice. Whether as a seducer of hearts or a sower of sedition, his speech corrodes the moral order of society. Trapp warned of such men, describing them as “seedsmen of sedition” or “godless politicians” who weaken truth and leave behind “a heartless and sapless religion.” Indeed, the decline of many nations has begun not with war but with corrupt words spoken by wicked men.
Proverbs 11:12
“He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.”
To despise one’s neighbor is to reveal a heart devoid of wisdom. True wisdom teaches love, respect, and humility. The fool who mocks or scorns others exposes not his superiority but his spiritual poverty. God’s Word consistently commands believers to love their neighbors. As it is written, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18), and our Lord reaffirmed it in Matthew 22:39, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” To despise another person made in the image of God is therefore to despise the Creator Himself.
In contrast, the man of understanding controls his tongue and emotions. He exercises restraint where others would lash out. His silence is not cowardice but wisdom, for he knows that hasty words can do irreparable harm. James 1:19 instructs, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” The wise man chooses peace over contention, allowing love and discernment to govern his responses.
Wisdom in Relationships, Counsel, and Character
(Proverbs 11:13–16)
Proverbs 11:13
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.”
The talebearer, or gossip, is one who cannot restrain his tongue. He finds satisfaction in spreading secrets, not out of love or truth, but for the thrill of power and attention that such knowledge brings. The unfaithful talker betrays confidences, using information as a weapon to harm others or elevate himself. His words are as wounds that pierce deeply into the hearts of others, as Proverbs 18:8 says, “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.”
A talebearer goes from person to person, scattering rumors and causing division. Such a person cannot be trusted. As Bridges wisely observed, one who betrays another’s confidence will betray yours as well. The Lord condemns this practice, declaring in Leviticus 19:16, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord.” Gossip is not a harmless pastime but a serious offense before God.
In contrast, the one who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. A faithful person knows when to speak and when to remain silent. He or she practices discretion, understanding that love often requires privacy. Proverbs 10:12 teaches, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” The faithful spirit seeks to protect rather than expose, to heal rather than harm. Such restraint reflects spiritual maturity and deep integrity before the Lord.
Proverbs 11:14
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
Without wise counsel, even the strongest people or nations will fall. God designed humanity to need guidance, accountability, and collaboration. When leaders act without seeking wisdom, their people suffer. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the necessity of godly counsel. Proverbs 15:22 declares, “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” Wise leadership listens, seeks advice, and tests every decision against the standard of God’s Word.
There is safety in a multitude of counselors, for no single person possesses all understanding. Multiple perspectives sharpen discernment and prevent folly. Yet this proverb does not advocate confusion through too many voices but balance through diversity of wisdom. The primitive Christians, as Trapp noted, prayed for emperors to have “Senatum fidelem,” a faithful council, understanding that righteous governance depends upon godly advisers.
God Himself affirms the value of counsel through the unity of the body of Christ, where each believer brings spiritual insight for the edification of all. When a community or nation is guided by wise, faithful counselors, it stands firm; but when arrogance replaces counsel, destruction follows.
Proverbs 11:15
“He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.”
This proverb warns against the unwise practice of guaranteeing another’s debts, especially for a stranger. To be surety means to pledge one’s own financial security for someone else’s obligation. Such a decision, made out of presumption or naivety, often leads to personal loss. Proverbs 6:1–2 cautions similarly, “My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, thou art snared with the words of thy mouth.”
Scripture does not condemn generosity or helping others but warns against reckless financial entanglements. God calls His people to stewardship, not folly. Those who ignore this principle often find themselves burdened with the consequences of another’s irresponsibility. The wise person avoids unnecessary risk and maintains independence by taking responsibility only for his own commitments. As the second half of the verse teaches, one who hates being surety is secure. Refusing entanglement in another’s debts is not selfishness but prudence, preserving the ability to provide for one’s own household and serve others freely without bondage.
Proverbs 11:16
“A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.”
A gracious woman possesses a beauty that transcends appearance. Her grace is seen in her humility, kindness, and wisdom. Such a woman earns and retains honor because her conduct is noble and pleasing to both God and man. This grace is the fruit of a godly spirit, marked by meekness and favor. As Peter writes, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter 3:3–4).
Her influence is lasting because it comes from character, not manipulation. She builds her home and relationships upon faith, grace, and virtue. Such a woman reflects the wisdom of Proverbs 31:30, “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”
In contrast, ruthless or strong men retain riches. This phrase may carry a double meaning. In one sense, it can describe those who are forceful and shrewd, preserving their wealth through determination. In another sense, it points to those who are harsh, driven by greed rather than honor. Such men care more for accumulation than integrity, revealing the shallowness of their ambition. The gracious woman values honor over gain, while the ruthless man values gain over honor. One’s treasure thus reveals the condition of the heart.
Righteousness, Mercy, and the Path of Life
(Proverbs 11:17–20)
Proverbs 11:17
“The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.”
Mercy is not only a blessing to those who receive it, but also to the one who gives it. A merciful man enriches his own soul because his actions reflect the very heart of God. As it is written in 2 Samuel 22:26, “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.” The merciful imitate their Creator, who delights in compassion and lovingkindness. The Hebrew word for “merciful” here relates to hesed, which refers to steadfast, covenantal love—a mercy rooted in faithfulness. Such mercy brings joy, peace, and spiritual health to the giver because it aligns the soul with God’s own nature.
In contrast, cruelty always backfires. The cruel man, hardened in heart, inflicts harm not only upon others but upon himself. His lack of compassion isolates him from blessing, peace, and fellowship. As the Lord Jesus warned in Matthew 7:2, “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Just as Achan “troubled” Israel through his sin and brought ruin upon his own family (Joshua 7:25–26), so the cruel man troubles his own flesh. His unkindness becomes a curse that consumes him from within. The merciful man mirrors God and prospers in soul; the cruel man mirrors Satan and reaps destruction.
Proverbs 11:18
“The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.”
The wicked man’s labor is deceitful because it is built on falsehood and selfish ambition. His works may appear successful for a time, but their foundation is unstable. Every act of dishonesty eventually yields corruption, for deceit can never produce true fruit. The wicked man’s labor is deceptive both to others and to himself; he imagines he is building prosperity, when in truth he is storing up judgment.
In contrast, the one who sows righteousness will surely reap a reward. The image of sowing emphasizes patience, faith, and expectation. Just as a farmer plants seed and waits for the harvest, so the righteous perform their work in obedience to God, trusting Him for the increase. Galatians 6:7–9 affirms this principle: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” The reward of righteousness is sure because God Himself guarantees it.
Proverbs 11:19
“As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.”
The connection between righteousness and life is foundational to biblical wisdom. Righteousness leads to life because it aligns one’s path with the will and character of God, the source of all life. As Proverbs 12:28 says, “In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.” To live righteously is to walk in harmony with divine order, resulting in spiritual vitality, peace, and eternal reward.
The opposite is equally true. He who pursues evil pursues it to his own death. Evil is not a neutral path—it is a chosen pursuit that ends in destruction. The wicked often chase sin as though it promises gain, yet they run toward their own ruin. Trapp described it vividly: the man who follows evil “hotfoot,” like Asahel pursuing Abner (2 Samuel 2:18–23), is carried away by his passion and greed, blind to the death awaiting him. Ephesians 4:19 describes such a man: “Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” The pursuit of sin is therefore not freedom but a reckless charge toward eternal death.
Proverbs 11:20
“They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.”
The heart reveals a person’s true condition before God. Those with a froward, or perverse, heart live in deliberate rebellion against divine truth. They twist what is right, justify what is evil, and exalt their own will above the Lord’s. Such hearts are an abomination to God—a term reserved for that which is morally repulsive to Him. The perversity condemned here is not merely an external act but an inward disposition of defiance. Humanity is not only the victim of sin but also its willing participant, and God justly abhors such corruption.
In contrast, the blameless—those who are upright in their way—are the Lord’s delight. These are men and women who walk in sincerity, seeking to please God in both heart and conduct. Under the New Covenant, this uprightness finds its fullest expression in those who have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ. God delights in His people because they have been made righteous through His Son. As Romans 8:1 declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
This proverb also points forward to the transformation promised in the New Covenant, where God gives His people new hearts that mirror His own affections. As Ezekiel 36:26–27 says, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes.” The upright man delights God because his heart has been changed to love what God loves and hate what God hates. There is no middle ground between perversity and purity—the Lord delights in the blameless, but the perverse remain an abomination before Him.
The Justice of God and the Contrast Between Righteousness and Folly
(Proverbs 11:21–24)
Proverbs 11:21
“Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.”
No matter how united the wicked may appear, their collective strength cannot overcome the justice of Almighty God. “Though hand join in hand” signifies men binding themselves together in rebellion, conspiring to oppose the divine will. Yet the unity of sinners offers no defense against the Lord’s righteous judgment. God’s sovereignty cannot be resisted, either by individuals or by multitudes. The Lord proved this in Genesis 11:1–9, when mankind joined together to build the Tower of Babel in pride and self-sufficiency. Their combined strength and common language did not save them from God’s swift judgment, for He confounded their speech and scattered them upon the earth.
God’s decree stands immutable: “Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5). Sin may be widespread, but it is never beyond divine reach. When the time of judgment comes, every alliance against righteousness will crumble.
In contrast, “the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.” God’s blessings are not limited to the righteous alone but often extend to their descendants. Psalm 112:1–2 confirms this truth: “Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.” The righteous pass on a heritage of faith, and the divine favor upon their lives brings deliverance not only to themselves but to their posterity. The wicked leave a legacy of ruin; the righteous leave a legacy of redemption.
Proverbs 11:22
“As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.”
This proverb employs a vivid and almost humorous image to illustrate the futility of outward beauty without inward virtue. A gold ring, which symbolizes value and refinement, becomes absurd and defiled when placed in the snout of a pig—a creature associated with filth and uncleanness. The contrast between the precious and the profane is deliberate. Just as the gold ring loses its beauty in such a setting, so physical attractiveness loses its worth when joined with moral corruption.
A “fair woman” without discretion may possess charm and beauty, yet she lacks wisdom, purity, and self-control. The Hebrew word translated “discretion” literally means “taste” or “discernment,” implying moral and ethical judgment. Without discretion, beauty becomes dangerous rather than delightful. As Proverbs 31:30 reminds us, “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”
This woman, as Waltke observed, “turns aside from her dignity,” degrading herself through immodesty, foolish speech, or unchaste behavior. Like the pig that ruins the luster of gold, her indiscretion tarnishes her natural gifts and turns what should be honorable into shame. The lesson is clear: true beauty flows from inner grace, not outward appearance. Godly character is the ornament of lasting worth.
Proverbs 11:23
“The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.”
The desires of the righteous are shaped by their renewed hearts. They long for what is good, just, and pleasing to God. Their inner life reflects their moral transformation, for righteousness not only changes one’s behavior but also purifies one’s desires. Psalm 37:4 declares, “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” When a person delights in the Lord, his desires align with God’s will, and God delights to fulfill them.
In contrast, the wicked harbor desires that lead to wrath—both in the sense of producing wrath in this life and facing God’s wrath in eternity. Their expectations, though ambitious and worldly, end in disappointment and judgment. As Romans 2:5 warns, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.” The righteous expect mercy because their hearts are tuned to God; the wicked expect wrath because their rebellion stores up judgment against themselves.
Proverbs 11:24
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.”
This verse reveals a divine paradox that overturns worldly wisdom. The generous man scatters his wealth as a farmer scatters seed, and yet he increases all the more. His giving is not wasteful but productive, because it is done in faith, trusting God for the harvest. This principle is echoed in 2 Corinthians 9:6–8: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”
The giver’s increase is not always measured in material gain; it may come in spiritual richness, joy, and the blessing of others. Generosity opens the door to divine provision, while stinginess invites lack. The one who “withholdeth more than is meet” seeks to protect his possessions but ends up in poverty. His self-protection becomes his downfall, for he demonstrates mistrust in God’s provision. The hand that is closed to others is often closed to Heaven’s blessings.
This principle reaches beyond finances. It applies to love, forgiveness, service, and time. Those who give freely in obedience to God always find increase in return, for generosity is a mark of divine grace. As Jesus said in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
Generosity, Fair Dealing, and True Prosperity
(Proverbs 11:25–28)
Proverbs 11:25
“The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”
The principle of divine reciprocity is beautifully expressed here: those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. The “liberal soul,” or generous soul, is described in Hebrew as the soul of blessing—one who actively blesses others through kindness, mercy, and generosity. Such a person becomes a conduit of God’s own grace. As Genesis 12:2 declares, “And I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” God not only blesses the giver but blesses through the giver, enriching the soul of the one who shares.
To be “made fat” means to be enriched, satisfied, and strengthened. In a land where food was often scarce, fatness symbolized abundance and divine favor. Deuteronomy 31:20 speaks of Israel’s prosperity in similar terms: “For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat.” Thus, this proverb affirms that those who bless others through generosity find both spiritual and material refreshment.
He that “watereth” will himself be watered. The imagery is that of irrigation—the act of refreshing dry ground. When a man pours out the water of blessing, God ensures that his own soul is replenished. As Jesus taught in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Charles Spurgeon once remarked, “If I want to get water I must give water. Though that seems a strange way of self-serving, I pray you try it.” Likewise, in ministry and service, the more we pour into others, the more God pours back into us. The teacher grows wiser by teaching; the servant grows stronger by serving; the giver grows richer by giving. Generosity is not loss—it is investment in eternity.
Proverbs 11:26
“He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.”
This proverb condemns selfishness and greed, particularly in the context of economic manipulation. The one who withholds grain during a time of need in order to inflate its price commits a moral wrong. Such behavior not only invites the curse of men but also the displeasure of God. Amos 8:4–6 records the same sin among the Israelites: “Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? ... making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit.” The Lord pronounced judgment upon such exploiters.
Those who hoard out of greed bring upon themselves public contempt, for the people will curse them. On the other hand, “blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.” This refers not to one who gives grain away, but to one who deals fairly and provides it when it is needed. The upright businessman who acts with honesty and compassion becomes a blessing to his community.
Charles Spurgeon insightfully noted that this principle applies beyond economics—it also reflects how the Church must distribute the “bread of life.” When Christians hoard the gospel, keeping it from the nations, they bring spiritual famine; but when they freely proclaim it, God blesses their labor with revival. “From the day,” said Spurgeon, “when Fuller, Carey, and Sutcliffe sent out missionaries to India, the dawn of revival began, and it has not ceased yet.” Thus, generosity in any form—spiritual or material—invites divine blessing.
Proverbs 11:27
“He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.”
The diligent pursuit of good brings favor from both God and man. To “seek good” is to strive for righteousness, truth, and virtue in every area of life. This earnest search for good is not passive but intentional—it requires diligence, persistence, and moral clarity. Deuteronomy 4:29 offers a parallel promise: “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” Those who make it their aim to do good and honor God find grace in His sight and often favor among people.
By contrast, those who seek evil will find the very trouble they pursue. The law of moral cause and effect is built into God’s creation—sin brings sorrow. The one who chases mischief will eventually be overtaken by it. Galatians 6:7 echoes this unchanging principle: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” As Bridges observed, “The ceaseless energy of Satan’s servants in seeking evil puts to shame our indifference!” If the wicked are relentless in pursuing evil, how much more should the righteous be steadfast in seeking what is good.
Proverbs 11:28
“He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”
The warning here is clear: trust in riches leads to ruin. Wealth in itself is not condemned, but reliance upon it is. The rich man’s downfall comes not from his possessions but from his misplaced confidence. Psalm 52:7 portrays this vividly: “Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.” Riches are fleeting; they cannot buy salvation, security, or peace. Jesus reinforced this truth in Mark 10:24: “Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!”
In contrast, “the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” The imagery evokes the vitality of a living tree—rooted, nourished, and fruitful. Jeremiah 17:7–8 beautifully expands this thought: “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green.” The righteous prosper not because of wealth, but because their trust is in the living God, who sustains them like a tree beside eternal waters.
Wisdom, Righteousness, and the Eternal Reward
(Proverbs 11:29–31)
Proverbs 11:29
“He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.”
To bring turmoil and strife into one’s own household is to sow the seeds of ruin. The man who causes distress within his family—whether through greed, anger, neglect, or selfishness—builds his own destruction. To “inherit the wind” means to inherit emptiness and loss. The phrase conveys a future void of stability, much like trying to grasp the wind itself. Those who disrupt the peace of their home for personal gain or pride will ultimately face desolation and regret.
Scripture offers solemn examples of this truth. Achan troubled his own house through covetousness, hiding forbidden spoils beneath his tent and bringing judgment upon all his household (Joshua 7:25–26). Likewise, Nabal, in his arrogance and selfishness, nearly brought ruin upon his entire household, saved only by the wisdom and godliness of his wife Abigail (1 Samuel 25:17, 33). These examples remind us that the decisions of a single family member can shape the destiny of an entire home.
In contrast, “the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.” Foolishness leads not only to personal disgrace but to servitude under those who live by wisdom. God’s favor exalts the humble and prudent, while folly debases those who reject instruction. As Proverbs 3:35 declares, “The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.” The principle is clear—wisdom leads to leadership and honor, while folly leads to subjugation and loss.
Proverbs 11:30
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
A righteous life bears fruit that nourishes others. The metaphor of the tree of life recalls Eden’s symbol of divine vitality and blessing (Genesis 2:9). The life of the righteous becomes a source of spiritual strength, encouragement, and renewal to all who partake of its fruit. Just as a tree provides shade and sustenance, so the righteous refresh those around them. Their influence brings life to the weary and hope to the broken.
The New Testament further develops this imagery through the fruit of the Spirit. As Galatians 5:22–23 declares, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Likewise, Ephesians 5:9 affirms, “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” These qualities are not manufactured but grow naturally from a heart rooted in God’s righteousness. As Spurgeon warned, true faith is not artificial or situational but vital and constant—a living faith that flourishes both in solitude and in society.
The second clause—“he that winneth souls is wise”—reveals one of the highest callings of the believer. The Hebrew word translated “winneth” literally means to capture or to take alive, as a hunter captures prey. In this context, it signifies winning souls from death to life through the truth of God’s Word. The soul-winner is wise because he reflects God’s own heart and mission. The entire redemptive plan of salvation displays divine wisdom, for in saving sinners, God reveals His justice, mercy, and grace. As Spurgeon observed, “There is as much wisdom to be seen in the new creation as in the old. In a sinner saved, there is as much of God to be beheld as in a universe rising out of nothing.”
To win souls requires love like that of Christ, who “came to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). It requires courage, for soul-winning is warfare against the powers of darkness (2 Corinthians 10:4–5). It requires discipline and persistence, as in a contest where the prize is eternal life for another. It also requires deep dependence upon God’s wisdom, for only the Spirit of God can convict and convert a soul. Thus, “he that winneth souls is wise” because he labors in harmony with the purposes of Heaven.
Proverbs 11:31
“Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.”
This concluding verse of the chapter establishes a solemn truth regarding divine justice: both the righteous and the wicked receive recompense in this life, though in vastly different forms. God’s blessings upon the righteous often manifest tangibly even before eternity. A life lived in integrity, faith, and obedience bears fruit in peace, favor, and satisfaction. Psalm 58:11 affirms, “So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.”
Yet if the righteous—whom God loves and corrects—experience chastening and discipline in this life, how much more severe will be the recompense of the wicked. The “how much more” construction intensifies the contrast, emphasizing that divine justice cannot be escaped. Ecclesiastes 12:14 reinforces this certainty: “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
This verse therefore calls the reader to humility and repentance. God rewards righteousness not merely in heaven but even upon the earth, and He also allows sinners to experience the bitter fruit of their rebellion. The hand of divine justice moves surely, if not always swiftly. For the believer, this truth brings comfort; for the ungodly, it should bring fear. The message is clear: live righteously, walk wisely, and trust in the Lord, for His recompense is both certain and just.
