Speech in Community: Proverbs 11:9-15, Additional Observations and Commentaries

5 Ws

Who?  As with [virtually?] all of the biblical proverbs, humankind is divided into two distinct groups: on the one hand, the knowledgeable, trustworthy, victorious, peaceful righteous ones; on the other hand, the destroying, unreliable, self-destructive, suffering, hypocritical wicked ones.

What? Speech, in its various iterations [seen in yesterday's outline], leading to the up-building or destruction of a community.

Where? “The city,” which seems indicative of “city-states” or communities bound together by common interests.

When? As with (at least) most of the biblical proverbs, this series of proverbs expresses timeless truth.

Why? Speech both reveals and shapes hearts. Choosing to speak, to speak in a certain way, or to remain silent promotes trust, unity, and peace or distrust, disunity, and disharmony.

How? Again, it is speech that reveals what it in the heart and communicates one person’s thoughts, feelings, and desires to another. Those thoughts, feelings, and desires communicated by speech, which prompts actions, shape the motivations, plans, and cohesiveness of a community.

So what? Within our families, our churches, and our broader communities, we must strive for and promote wise speech for the sake of society. A strong, peaceful society promotes gospel proclamation (1 Tim 2:1-4).

Commentaries

NET Bible: 11:9 “godless:” [This word] later developed the idea of a “hypocrite”…

Geneva Bible: 11:9 “hypocrite” [“godless”]: A dissembler that pretendeth friendship, but is a [secret] enemy. 

Matthew Henry Study Bible: 11:11 By the blessings with which they bless their neighbors, their advice, their examples, their prayers– by the blessings with which God blesses others for their sake. 11:12 “a man of understanding:” That has rule over his own spirit, if he be provoked, holds his peace.

Believers’ Study Bible: 11:4 “Righteousness” may deliver from temporal death, but it always frees one from eternal death. 11:13 Even when information is accurate, one is to avoid talebearing. The NT clearly defines how to deal with a brother’s fault. Reproof is to be done privately (Matt 18:15; Gal 6:1) with the individual and then [if proper reproof is heeded] concealed from all others. 11:14 Only the foolish man depends entirely upon his own judgment. The wise man not only weighs a matter before God but also invites the counsel from those who, spiritually and experientially, can offer assistance.

Reformation Study Bible: 11:10 A viable society must have some recognition of right and wrong and of reward and retribution. Without descending to vindictive revenge, there is a proper rejoicing when the perpetrators of evil, corruption, and human misery are destroyed.