Pro 27:5-6 | KingComments | STEP | “Open rebuke” is a frank, direct word of honest criticism or disapproval by a friend ( ). This is “better ... than love that is concealed”, or a love that is too timid, too afraid or not trusting enough to admit that rebuke is a part of true love. A love that does not manifest rebuke is morally worthless. It is even questionable whether such love is upright. In any case, love that shirks its responsibility is incomplete. Paul once had to openly rebuke Peter ( ). But this did not cause any harm to Peter. He speaks later in his second letter about “our beloved brother Paul” ( ). It is false love, and in reality hatred, if we do not rebuke one of our children or a brother or sister when necessary ( ). Love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with truth” ( ). In other words, the proverb in says the same thing as . We all need someone who loves us enough to tell us the truth about ourselves. He tells us not only things we want to hear, but also things we need to hear. Sometimes that can be painful and cause wounds, but it will always be wounds without scars. By “wounds” is meant especially wounds of the soul. We may have to point something out to someone because we see that something is in danger of going wrong. The person addressed must make a correction in his or her behavior. This is sometimes hard to swallow. It may even cause a moment of estrangement because it is perceived as an unwelcome comment. But once the initial emotions are overcome and some thought is given to what has been said, on reflection one will reap his or her benefits and even consider it a favor that it happened ( ; cf. ). For example, grandparents may well see things in their grandchildren that elude their children, the parents of their grandchildren. It takes wisdom to say that to the children in the right way and at the right time. True love points out the wrong and does not wait until it is too late. Opposed to the expressions of true love are the false expressions of love of the enemy. The enemy is not scanty with his “kisses”. He gives them “excessive” [as deceitful also can be translated] to cover his true intentions in this way. They are deceptive, hypocritical expressions. The most heinous example is the deceitful kiss with which Judas betrayed His Master ( ).

‏ Proverbs 27:5-6

Rebuke As an Expression of Love

“Open rebuke” is a frank, direct word of honest criticism or disapproval by a friend (Pro 27:5). This is “better ... than love that is concealed”, or a love that is too timid, too afraid or not trusting enough to admit that rebuke is a part of true love. A love that does not manifest rebuke is morally worthless. It is even questionable whether such love is upright. In any case, love that shirks its responsibility is incomplete.

Paul once had to openly rebuke Peter (Gal 2:11). But this did not cause any harm to Peter. He speaks later in his second letter about “our beloved brother Paul” (2Pet 3:15). It is false love, and in reality hatred, if we do not rebuke one of our children or a brother or sister when necessary (Lev 19:17). Love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with truth” (1Cor 13:6).

In other words, the proverb in Pro 27:6 says the same thing as Pro 27:5. We all need someone who loves us enough to tell us the truth about ourselves. He tells us not only things we want to hear, but also things we need to hear. Sometimes that can be painful and cause wounds, but it will always be wounds without scars. By “wounds” is meant especially wounds of the soul.

We may have to point something out to someone because we see that something is in danger of going wrong. The person addressed must make a correction in his or her behavior. This is sometimes hard to swallow. It may even cause a moment of estrangement because it is perceived as an unwelcome comment. But once the initial emotions are overcome and some thought is given to what has been said, on reflection one will reap his or her benefits and even consider it a favor that it happened (Psa 141:5; cf. Rev 3:19).

For example, grandparents may well see things in their grandchildren that elude their children, the parents of their grandchildren. It takes wisdom to say that to the children in the right way and at the right time. True love points out the wrong and does not wait until it is too late.

Opposed to the expressions of true love are the false expressions of love of the enemy. The enemy is not scanty with his “kisses”. He gives them “excessive” [as deceitful also can be translated] to cover his true intentions in this way. They are deceptive, hypocritical expressions. The most heinous example is the deceitful kiss with which Judas betrayed His Master (Mk 14:43-45).