What does Proverbs 15:27 mean?
ESV: Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
NIV: The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.
NASB: He who profits illicitly troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
CSB: The one who profits dishonestly troubles his household, but the one who hates bribes will live.
NLT: Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.
KJV: He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
NKJV: He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live.
Verse Commentary:
Solomon reflects on the tragic results of being greedy. Scripture notes that sinful choices, including greed, come with the risk of serious consequences (Proverbs 11:3; 13:13; 14:11). Those who engage in greed and other immoral attitudes also put their families at risk (Proverbs 11:29). The person inclined towards honest gain—who "hates bribes"—can avoid those drawbacks.
Joshua accused Achan of troubling Israel (Joshua 7:25). God had forbidden Israel from taking anything from the conquered city of Jericho, but Achan disobeyed. When Joshua asked Achan what he had done, Achan replied: "I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath" (Joshua 7:21). Achan's crime was such a serious breach of God's specific command that it cost him and his family members their lives (Joshua 7:24–25).
Verse Context:
Proverbs 15:13–30 continues Solomon's contrasting descriptions of the wise and the foolish. In this book, those ideas are associated with accepting or rejecting God's truth, respectively (Proverbs 1:7). He writes about the gladness of the upright, wise person and the depressing existence of the wicked, foolish person. He contrasts attitudes, thoughts, and actions of both kinds of individuals, and he states that the Lord is far from the wicked but close enough to the righteous to hear their prayers.
Chapter Summary:
Solomon begins this chapter of Proverbs by addressing subjects such as anger and self-control and how those reactions produce different responses from others. That extends to how carefully a person guards their words, and their responses to questions. Wise people seek wisdom and humbly accept it. Foolish people are careless, lazy, or arrogant. Solomon also notes the importance of perspective, and once again commends those who sincerely seek godly wisdom.
Chapter Context:
Chapter 10 began a long list of Solomon's wise sayings. This passage continues to emphasize common themes such as hard work, humility, godly wisdom, and self-control. This extended collection of proverbs continues through much of chapter 22.
Book Summary:
Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.
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