What does Proverbs 15:31 mean?
ESV: The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
NIV: Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
NASB: One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke Will stay among the wise.
CSB: One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise.
NLT: If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
KJV: The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
NKJV: The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.
Verse Commentary:
To be considered wise, a person needs to listen to good advice. That means godly advice, including correction (Proverbs 1:7; 3:11). Correction which comes from godly wisdom is life-giving (Proverbs 10:17; 13:14). Being reproved isn't pleasant, but it is essential to a righteous life.
Paul commands Timothy to preach the word and to "reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching" (2 Timothy 4:2). Of course, appropriate reproof and rebuke must be based on Scripture. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16 that God breathed out all Scripture and that it is "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." A person gains wisdom by examining his life in the light of Scripture, then correcting his life, to the standard set by the Word of God.
It is the responsibility of mature believers to seek to guide an erring person back into with God's will (2 Timothy 2:25). This task mainly involves fellow believers, where reproof has the goal of restoration. Galatians 6:1 reads: "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." In a very real sense, this applies regardless of the relative spiritual maturity of either side; even an immature believer can notice and "reprove" something about which a more mature person is in error.
Verse Context:
Proverbs 15:31–33 closes the chapter by focusing on the benefits of receiving wise instruction. These commendations are all repeated several times over in other parts of the book of Proverbs. Key reminders in this segment are instruction, reproof, and reverent the fear of the Lord.
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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