What does Proverbs 15:33 mean?
ESV: The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
NIV: Wisdom's instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.
NASB: The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.
CSB: The fear of the Lord is what wisdom teaches, and humility comes before honor.
NLT: Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.
KJV: The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
NKJV: The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
Verse Commentary:
By reverencing the Lord, a person gains wisdom (Proverbs 1:7), but he must humble himself to gain that wisdom. He willingly acknowledges his reliance on the Lord for wisdom, and he humbly obeys the Lord's instructions (Proverbs 3:34; 11:2). A person cannot start from an attitude of arrogance and expect to earn honor.
James insists that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). When Jesus entered the home of Mary and Martha, Mary sat humbly at His feet and listened to His teaching (Luke 10:39). When her sister Martha complained that Mary wasn't helping her serve, Jesus said, "But one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42).
Serving Jesus through our deeds is good, but humbly receiving His instruction is better and necessary. God will exalt everyone who humbles themselves before Him. Luke 18:14 promises that "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Jesus assured His disciples that prominence in His kingdom is based on humble service on behalf of others. He said, "Whoever would be first among you must be slave of all" (Mark 10:44). Jesus humbled Himself by becoming a man and dying on the cross for us (Philippians 2:7–8). "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9).
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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