Proverbs 2:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,

NIV: My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,

NASB: My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you,

CSB: My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,

NLT: My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.

KJV: My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

NKJV: My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you,

In the book of Proverbs, knowledge is defined as the simple consumption and retention of information. Here, Solomon is instructing his son with the first "if" statement of this section. Two steps are required: to both receive and to treasure knowledge. Solomon's instruction bonds those two parts of knowledge acquisition. True wisdom requires both accepting what is taught, as well as considering it of value. A treasure is not something you forget; rather, it is something you dwell upon and recall with gratitude and longing.

In the New Testament, Jesus compares heaven to a treasure found buried in a field (Matthew 13:44). To gain this treasure, the man in the parable sells all of his possessions and buys the field. One must wonder: how many walked past the field and did not perceive the treasure that was hidden there? However, once the man found the treasure, he did everything within his power to obtain it. This is the appropriate approach to truth and wisdom: to recognize its value and act accordingly.

Solomon's description in this chapter is that of a comprehensive, unified, practical approach to moral living. This is what later philosophers such as Plato would define as virtue. In the upcoming verses, the relationship between living virtuously—by pursuing these positive qualities—and one's outcomes will be explored.

The first five verses of chapter 2 continue the main theme from chapter 1: wisdom. Wisdom was often featured as a crucial virtue by later philosophers, such as Plato. These verses contain an IF–THEN structure. Verses 1–4 make three distinct ''if'' statements about the proper use of knowledge. Verse 5 gives the outcome that is ''then'' enjoyed by following the instructions which have been given. The same principles are illustrated by some of Jesus' parables found in Matthew 13:44–52.

In Proverbs chapter 2, Solomon highlights various virtues, as well as provides encouragement to live a virtuous life. As in chapter 1, specific concepts wil reoccur, and are used in certain ways. Here, these are ideas such as courage, integrity, wisdom, and justice. The gist of this passage is the positive effect that virtue—including these various aspects—will have on one's life. In contrast, those who pursue non-virtuous living will suffer dire consequences.

The overarching theme of Proverbs chapter 2 is the relationship between virtue and discernment. As described here, virtuous living is moral living. As a person strives to live a moral life, he or she develops a greater ability to discern right from wrong. Further, beyond simple matters of right and wrong, as virtue grows within a person, he or she becomes more proficient at discerning trickier situations. Real life predicaments often present two or more seemingly valid options. Discernment, then, also includes determining which of many different options is actually best. Likewise, many life situations appear to offer only a variety of bad options. There, discernment is once again required, to determine which option presents the correct choice, or to recognize where a ''good'' option has been hidden.

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.