Pro 1:4-5 | KingComments | STEP | In this verse Solomon mentions two kinds of people to whom he especially addresses his teaching and whose character he wants to shape by his teaching. If they heed his teaching, they will prosper spiritually. We may say that the book of Proverbs is the key to success. He who listens to it, that is, takes its teaching to heart, knows how to go his way, what is the wisest way. It is the way on which God can give His blessing. The “naive” are the first kind. They are gullible, innocent, thoughtless, stupid. We must not identify them with the fools. The naive lives life as it comes to him. He cares about nothing and thinks about nothing. This means that he is easily tempted to go the wrong way. The “youth”, or the young man, is the second kind. Because he is young, he lacks experience. He cannot know what life all is about and is therefore vulnerable and easy to be tempted to go the wrong way. The naive and the youth or young man must come to fear God. Then He will teach them through this book about the way they should choose ( ). The wisdom teacher wants to give “prudence” to the naive through his teaching. Prudence is cleverness or shrewdness. If the naive uses the prudence given to him, he will know how to act cleverly. As a result, his choice brings no harm to himself, but on the contrary advantage ( ). He will know how to avoid the pitfalls of life. If he does not listen the teaching of the wise, but engages with fools, he becomes a fool. For the young man, the wisdom teacher has “knowledge and discretion” in mind. Because youth lacks knowledge of life, teaching is aimed at making him familiar with the secrets of life. Young people sometimes think they have a lot of knowledge, but it is only knowledge from books. They often talk like a headless chicken. They simply cannot yet know what life all is about. This lack is more than excellently met by the book of proverbs. Once the lack of knowledge has been eliminated by taking to oneself the teaching of the contents of this book, it is then important to apply that knowledge in the right way and at the right time. Therefore, “discretion” is directly linked to knowledge here (cf. ). Discretion is a sound mind, thoughtfulness or self-control. He who has a sound mind, thinks before he does or says anything. He will act or speak hastily, but wait for the right time.

‏ Proverbs 1:4-5

Prudence, Knowledge and Discretion

In this verse Solomon mentions two kinds of people to whom he especially addresses his teaching and whose character he wants to shape by his teaching. If they heed his teaching, they will prosper spiritually. We may say that the book of Proverbs is the key to success. He who listens to it, that is, takes its teaching to heart, knows how to go his way, what is the wisest way. It is the way on which God can give His blessing.

The “naive” are the first kind. They are gullible, innocent, thoughtless, stupid. We must not identify them with the fools. The naive lives life as it comes to him. He cares about nothing and thinks about nothing. This means that he is easily tempted to go the wrong way.

The “youth”, or the young man, is the second kind. Because he is young, he lacks experience. He cannot know what life all is about and is therefore vulnerable and easy to be tempted to go the wrong way.

The naive and the youth or young man must come to fear God. Then He will teach them through this book about the way they should choose (Psa 25:12).

The wisdom teacher wants to give “prudence” to the naive through his teaching. Prudence is cleverness or shrewdness. If the naive uses the prudence given to him, he will know how to act cleverly. As a result, his choice brings no harm to himself, but on the contrary advantage (Pro 22:3). He will know how to avoid the pitfalls of life. If he does not listen the teaching of the wise, but engages with fools, he becomes a fool.

For the young man, the wisdom teacher has “knowledge and discretion” in mind. Because youth lacks knowledge of life, teaching is aimed at making him familiar with the secrets of life. Young people sometimes think they have a lot of knowledge, but it is only knowledge from books. They often talk like a headless chicken. They simply cannot yet know what life all is about. This lack is more than excellently met by the book of proverbs.

Once the lack of knowledge has been eliminated by taking to oneself the teaching of the contents of this book, it is then important to apply that knowledge in the right way and at the right time. Therefore, “discretion” is directly linked to knowledge here (cf. 2Pet 1:6a). Discretion is a sound mind, thoughtfulness or self-control. He who has a sound mind, thinks before he does or says anything. He will act or speak hastily, but wait for the right time.

Wise and Understanding

Not only the naive and the young man benefit from this book, but also anyone who is already “wise” and “understanding”. To become wise and understanding never stops. He who is really wise and understanding will not say that about himself, but will have the desire to increase in that more and more. We can always become wiser and of more understanding, we can always become more like Christ. God’s wisdom is infinite and His understanding is unfathomable. This book is an exhortation to choose the way of wisdom and understanding for anyone who is not yet going that way. This book is a manual to continuing that path for anyone who has already chosen that path.

If we are wise and have chosen the way of wisdom, we are able to hear all the better what the teacher has to say. “Hear” or listen is a great way to learn. First hear, then do. If we hear, we will “increase in learning”. God does not want us to stand still, but that we continue to grow spiritually and increase more and more in the knowledge of His thoughts. Learning is the understanding of the context of a certain case and the overview of the elements that altogether play a role (cf. 1Chr 12:32).

“Acquiring wise counsel” is an activity to acquire good advice and wise counsels in order to come to good consideration and then make a good decision. Those who are wise will do their best to acquire good advice and wise counsel. Acquire suggests effort. The man of understanding sees the valuable significance of seeking wise counsel and will work for consultation. He does not lean on his own understanding (Pro 3:5b).