Pro 17:10 | KingComments | STEP | Concealing a transgression ( ) does not mean that the transgression is not denounced. This is done by confronting the transgressor with his transgression, rebuking him for it. “One who has understanding” will benefit from the rebuke, but the fool will not ( ). This verse contrasts one who has understanding and a fool in their response to a rebuke. One who has understanding and is humiliated by a rebuke will learn from it. But on a fool, even “a hundred blows” will make no impression. Blows comes down on his back, but it does not change his heart; he remains a fool. The difference between one who has understanding and a fool is especially evident by the way a rebuke is responded to. The rebuke Peter received, both from the Lord Jesus and Paul ( ; ), went deeply into him. It did not produce resentment, but he learned from it. But the many and fierce plagues that came upon Egypt did not change Pharaoh’s mind (Exodus 7-12). He remained a fool and perished in his folly. “A rebellious man” ( ) is completely insensitive to discipline. He lives in rebellion against God and his neighbor. As a devoted follower of the great rebel against God, the devil, he is bent on causing unrest and uproar. Nothing but “evil” stands before him; he deliberately seeks it. This rebellious man will be sought out by “a cruel messenger” sent specifically to him for the purpose of killing him. It is a matter of cause and effect. Insurgents have no other purpose than to seek evil. As a result, retribution is sent in the form of a merciless messenger. This expression can refer to a merciless messenger sent by the king; it can also refer to storms, a disease, or an accident as God’s messenger of retribution. Benaiah was a messenger sent out to kill the opponents of David and Solomon ( ). A person who seeks only evil is not open to anything good. Therefore, he must be dealt with that way.

‏ Proverbs 17:10

If Discipline Does Not Work, Judgment Will Follow

Concealing a transgression (Pro 17:9) does not mean that the transgression is not denounced. This is done by confronting the transgressor with his transgression, rebuking him for it. “One who has understanding” will benefit from the rebuke, but the fool will not (Pro 17:10).

This verse contrasts one who has understanding and a fool in their response to a rebuke. One who has understanding and is humiliated by a rebuke will learn from it. But on a fool, even “a hundred blows” will make no impression. Blows comes down on his back, but it does not change his heart; he remains a fool.

The difference between one who has understanding and a fool is especially evident by the way a rebuke is responded to. The rebuke Peter received, both from the Lord Jesus and Paul (Mt 16:23; Gal 2:11-15), went deeply into him. It did not produce resentment, but he learned from it. But the many and fierce plagues that came upon Egypt did not change Pharaoh’s mind (Exodus 7-12). He remained a fool and perished in his folly.

“A rebellious man” (Pro 17:11) is completely insensitive to discipline. He lives in rebellion against God and his neighbor. As a devoted follower of the great rebel against God, the devil, he is bent on causing unrest and uproar. Nothing but “evil” stands before him; he deliberately seeks it.

This rebellious man will be sought out by “a cruel messenger” sent specifically to him for the purpose of killing him. It is a matter of cause and effect. Insurgents have no other purpose than to seek evil. As a result, retribution is sent in the form of a merciless messenger. This expression can refer to a merciless messenger sent by the king; it can also refer to storms, a disease, or an accident as God’s messenger of retribution.

Benaiah was a messenger sent out to kill the opponents of David and Solomon (1Kgs 2:13-46). A person who seeks only evil is not open to anything good. Therefore, he must be dealt with that way.