Pro 27:17 | KingComments | STEP | Man is not created to be alone, but with others. He is a social being and needs others to allow him to be human. One aspect of being together is sharpening each other’s understanding and thoughts by talking to each other. “One man” here stands for the personality or character of the person ( ). The comparison to sharpening iron with iron shows that it is about two equivalent materials. When two people talk to each other about a subject and also listen carefully to each other, it sharpens the understanding of both of them about that subject. It is a win-win situation. It is about sharpening character and understanding. A character is largely shaped by contacts with others. Friends don’t always have to agree with each other, but by talking about something, both gain understanding. It sharpens them in their convictions while at the same time it removes the sharp edges. That intercourse is formative is especially true in our dealings with our brothers and sisters with whom we share thoughts about God’s Word. Sharing what we have come to know of God’s truth sharpens the faith of all. It gives a sharper understanding of God’s thoughts, which also allows us to serve Him and each other with greater understanding. In , it is about the care of working on our relationships so that there is not only better understanding and character ( ), but following on from that, fruitfulness and service. It’s not about sharpening, but about caring and serving faithfully. The tending of a fig tree is a matter that requires attention. Sufficient and appropriate tending have the result that the tending person will eat its fruit. That is his reward. The comparison is drawn to one who cares for his master. Those who do so faithfully will not worry about whether their efforts will be recognized and rewarded (cf. ). Paul was a zealous and faithful servant who cared for all the truths his Master had entrusted to him. He did not give up any of it. He knew that for this the Lord would honor him with a crown ( ). Thus the Lord will appropriately reward each one for the faithfulness with which he or she has served Him ( ; ; ).

‏ Proverbs 27:17

To Sharp and to Guard

Man is not created to be alone, but with others. He is a social being and needs others to allow him to be human. One aspect of being together is sharpening each other’s understanding and thoughts by talking to each other. “One man” here stands for the personality or character of the person (Pro 27:17). The comparison to sharpening iron with iron shows that it is about two equivalent materials. When two people talk to each other about a subject and also listen carefully to each other, it sharpens the understanding of both of them about that subject. It is a win-win situation.

It is about sharpening character and understanding. A character is largely shaped by contacts with others. Friends don’t always have to agree with each other, but by talking about something, both gain understanding. It sharpens them in their convictions while at the same time it removes the sharp edges.

That intercourse is formative is especially true in our dealings with our brothers and sisters with whom we share thoughts about God’s Word. Sharing what we have come to know of God’s truth sharpens the faith of all. It gives a sharper understanding of God’s thoughts, which also allows us to serve Him and each other with greater understanding.

In Pro 27:18, it is about the care of working on our relationships so that there is not only better understanding and character (Pro 27:17), but following on from that, fruitfulness and service. It’s not about sharpening, but about caring and serving faithfully. The tending of a fig tree is a matter that requires attention. Sufficient and appropriate tending have the result that the tending person will eat its fruit. That is his reward.

The comparison is drawn to one who cares for his master. Those who do so faithfully will not worry about whether their efforts will be recognized and rewarded (cf. Pro 22:29). Paul was a zealous and faithful servant who cared for all the truths his Master had entrusted to him. He did not give up any of it. He knew that for this the Lord would honor him with a crown (2Tim 4:7-8). Thus the Lord will appropriately reward each one for the faithfulness with which he or she has served Him (1Sam 2:30; Mt 25:21 ; 23; Jn 12:26).