Proverbs 22:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.

NIV: Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.

NASB: The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, honor, and life.

CSB: Humility, the fear of the Lord, results in wealth, honor, and life.

NLT: True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.

KJV: By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

NKJV: By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life.

This is a book of "proverbs:" short, general-case statements of wisdom or common sense. They are not absolute guarantees. A doctor might say, "eat healthy food and you will live longer," and the patient knows this will not make them immune to all disease or accidents. "Proverbs" express something which applies in most cases, but not without exceptions. Solomon's comments (Proverbs 10:1) indicate the benefits of godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 3:1–5), without implying something contrary to other statements in this book (Proverbs 11:18; 15:16) and others (Psalm 49:5–6). Those who act according to ultimate truth are more likely to succeed and less likely to suffer negative consequences than those who participate in sin (Proverbs 8:35–36; 13:20).

To "fear" God is to respectfully recognize how great He is and act accordingly. The "fear of the Lord" is more than respect, but it is not abject terror. True reverence drives out pride and fills the heart with humility. When Isaiah caught a glimpse of the Lord in heavenly glory, he exclaimed, "Woe is me! For I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts" (Isaiah 6:5). When Peter saw Jesus perform the miracle of providing an abundant catch of fish, he said, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8). To "fear the Lord" is to believe Him and submit to His control (Proverbs 1:7). In turn, the Lord rewards this faith with spiritual riches, the honor of membership in God's family, and eternal life.

Proverbs 22:1–16 dispenses practical advice about gaining a good reputation, avoiding danger, setting children on a good path, finances, pure living, and the Lord's watchfulness and judgment. These verses also speak on the absurdity of laziness, the danger of evil words, and the sin of oppressing the poor. This completes an extensive list of wise sayings (Proverbs 10:1) attributed to Solomon.

This chapter completes a long string of wise sayings attributed to Solomon (Proverbs 10:1). He notes that reputation and godliness are far better than money. He also notes that godly wisdom keeps a person from various dangers. Loving parents use proper discipline to instill wisdom in their children. The last portion of the chapter introduces a new passage, made up of thirty wise teachings which Solomon endorses. This string of advice continues into chapter 24.

This chapter is the last of the second division of the book, including all of chapters 10—21. This section includes some 375 verses, mostly in paired lines. Chapter 22 completes these statements, then introduces a collection of thirty wise sayings endorsed by Solomon. The first five are negative commands, warning to avoid certain vices. Chapter 23 continues with more sayings of advice.

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.