Proverbs 20:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

NIV: Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?

NASB: It is by his deeds that a boy distinguishes himself, If his conduct is pure and right.

CSB: Even a young man is known by his actions -- by whether his behavior is pure and upright.

NLT: Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

KJV: Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

NKJV: Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.

Solomon (Proverbs 10:1) understood that character and conduct are intricately connected. What a person believes eventually works itself out through their words and actions (Matthew 15:18–20; James 2:15–18). If someone's character is deeply corrupt, that corruption will be revealed in evil conduct. Conversely, a godly person will show by his deeds that he is godly (Matthew 5:16; John 13:35). This is most reliably true of adults, but it's even the case with children. When Jesus was a boy, He revealed His pure character in many ways, one of which was by submission to His earthly parents. We read in Luke 2:51 that Jesus went with Joseph and Mary to Nazareth "and was submissive to them."

Parents learn soon enough whether a child's character is pure by observing behavior. Are they obedient? Are they kind? Or are they rebellious, selfish, and mean? Children are no more or less moral than adults—the only meaningful difference is that children are more pliable. They can more easily "grow out of" sinful habits than can adults who are entrenched in their ways. Therefore, the book of Proverbs emphasizes the need for parents to lovingly guide their children's spiritual growth (Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 22:6, 15). In his letter to the Ephesians Paul exhorts fathers not to be senseless or overly harsh in their guidance (Ephesians 6:4).

In this section of Solomon's wise sayings (Proverbs 10:1), he again discusses a wide range of subjects. These echo many of the common themes of the book of Proverbs. Solomon warns against foolishness (Proverbs 1:7), hastiness, angering authorities, and the consequences of sin and dishonesty. Several references condemn dishonest business dealings. Others note the value of diligence in making decisions.

This chapter of Proverbs belongs to the second division of the book that extends from Proverbs chapter 10 to chapter 22, in which there are nearly 400 wise sayings. Proverbs 20 continues the collection of Solomon's wise sayings. In this chapter Solomon focuses on numerous things which harm the unwise. Among them are laziness, wrong values, and bad decisions.

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.