Provérbios 13

Provérbios 13

Ironside wrote that… The word of instruction brings favor with God and man, as was so abundantly proven by Joseph, Daniel, and a host of others. To despise this law of the wise is to expose oneself to shame now and loss in eternity. (Bolding added) Will be in debt to it - (or more literally "has been forced to give a pledge") In ancient times a debtor left with his creditor some article of value or mortgaged his house or land, and if the debt was not paid, the creditor could take the debtor’s property, and if this did not suffice he could even take his wife and children! Note that other versions (e.g., KJV, NKJV, ESV, Amp) render be in debt (02254) (chabal/habal) as conveying the idea of bringing destruction on one's self as both meanings are included in this Hebrew word. In fact both meanings would be quite appropriate in this passage, for a debt unpaid brings destruction of a sort in life. As a parallel, Paul explains every sinner is a debtor and that the wages of sin (unless paid for by a Redeemer - Ro 3:23, 24 see notes Ro 3:23; 24) is death (Ro 6:23-note). In essence Proverb 13:13 speaks of the divine principle of sowing and reaping. Every man reaps what he sows, and if, as in the case of this proverb, he sows to his flesh, he shall surely reap corruption (destruction, ruin, decay, breakdown, dissolution, death) (see Gal 6:7,8). In short, the one who despises God's Word of truth and life (Ro 2:4-note), will owe a debt he cannot pay and thus will be ruined, not only in this life but in the one to come. (Think eternally "bad credit rating", eternal "bankruptcy"!) Fears the commandment - Fears means that this is the godly man's lifestyle. He continually has a reverential, filial awe of God's commands. Godliness is the fruit when proper fear is the root, for when we reverentially fear God we will be far more likely to be faithful when tempted. In other words although faith is surely the ultimate root of all godly virtues (2Pe 1:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 see notes), fear of God is the grace that guards all these godly virtues. This fear of course is not perfectly maintained, but when he does break God's law, he is grieved for he knows he has grieved the heart of His loving Father (see Ezekiel 6:9-note). His grief is not out of fear of punishment, for there is no longer condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Ro 8:1-note).