Pro 11:5 | KingComments | STEP | Even though someone possesses all the gold and silver of the world, it is of no significance “in the day of wrath”, which is the day of the wrath of God on sin ( ; ; ; ). “The day of wrath” can be both the day of death and future judgment. In this life, possessions can be used to bribe a judge and buy off punishment. But that is not how it works with God. All that matters on that day is whether a person has been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb ( ). Those who have been redeemed by it have the righteousness of God through faith in Christ. Only that “righteousness delivers from death”. Righteousness not only saves from death, but also has great practical value for life. Righteousness makes the way of the blameless smooth ( ). The blameless one is incorruptible, unimpeachable, always honest. This is evident in his righteousness, in doing what is right. As a result, his way is also smooth. There is nothing twisted or ambiguous in it. He goes a safe and secure way through life. The way Joseph went in the midst of his brothers and in Egypt is an example of this. It is perfectly true of the Lord Jesus, the perfectly blameless, and it is also true of every one who follows Him in blamelessness. What characterizes the way of the blameless is totally lacking in the wicked. With him we see the opposite. His wickedness does not give him any stability in life, but rather causes his fall. In there is again mention of “the righteousness of the upright” In it is singular, “the blameless” one, now it is plural, “the upright” ones. Now it is about deliverance from dangerous, life-threatening situations. The smooth way of is a way with dangers. The same righteousness that makes the way smooth also helps overcome difficulties on that way. For this, the upright seek their help from Him Who has given righteousness. “The treacherous” lack righteousness and therefore help in dangers. They do not even see those dangers, but are led by their own “greed”. They are “caught” by their greed, which causes them to be caught in it as in a prison. Their greed leads them to commit sins, which surround them like a net from which they cannot free themselves. Through that net they are dragged to judgment and ultimately to eternal death.

‏ Proverbs 11:5

Righteousness Delivers and Guides

Even though someone possesses all the gold and silver of the world, it is of no significance “in the day of wrath”, which is the day of the wrath of God on sin (Pro 11:4; Zep 1:18; Eze 7:19; Mk 8:37-38). “The day of wrath” can be both the day of death and future judgment. In this life, possessions can be used to bribe a judge and buy off punishment. But that is not how it works with God. All that matters on that day is whether a person has been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb (1Pet 1:18-19). Those who have been redeemed by it have the righteousness of God through faith in Christ. Only that “righteousness delivers from death”.

Righteousness not only saves from death, but also has great practical value for life. Righteousness makes the way of the blameless smooth (Pro 11:5). The blameless one is incorruptible, unimpeachable, always honest. This is evident in his righteousness, in doing what is right. As a result, his way is also smooth. There is nothing twisted or ambiguous in it. He goes a safe and secure way through life. The way Joseph went in the midst of his brothers and in Egypt is an example of this. It is perfectly true of the Lord Jesus, the perfectly blameless, and it is also true of every one who follows Him in blamelessness.

What characterizes the way of the blameless is totally lacking in the wicked. With him we see the opposite. His wickedness does not give him any stability in life, but rather causes his fall.

In Pro 11:6 there is again mention of “the righteousness of the upright” In Pro 11:5 it is singular, “the blameless” one, now it is plural, “the upright” ones. Now it is about deliverance from dangerous, life-threatening situations. The smooth way of Pro 11:5 is a way with dangers. The same righteousness that makes the way smooth also helps overcome difficulties on that way. For this, the upright seek their help from Him Who has given righteousness.

“The treacherous” lack righteousness and therefore help in dangers. They do not even see those dangers, but are led by their own “greed”. They are “caught” by their greed, which causes them to be caught in it as in a prison. Their greed leads them to commit sins, which surround them like a net from which they cannot free themselves. Through that net they are dragged to judgment and ultimately to eternal death.