Pro 22 | MHM | STEP | The Value of a Good Name This section teaches us that some things are much more valuable than money or possessions. Having a good reputation and being loved by others are better than having great riches. Wealth can bring worries and does not make someone truly valuable. But a good name shows that a person is wise, honest, and respected by God and people. When we are respected, we can do more good and show others what it means to follow God. v. 1 : It is better to have a good name than to have great riches . We should work harder to be known for good character than to get more money. Riches can bring problems and even fools can have them, but a good name brings safety and honor. Having the love and respect of others is better than silver and gold . Jesus did not have wealth, but He grew in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52 ). This teaches us not to chase after wealth, but to focus on things that are good and worthy of respect (Philippians 4:8 ).

‏ Proverbs 22

The Value of a Good Name

This section teaches us that some things are much more valuable than money or possessions. Having a good reputation and being loved by others are better than having great riches. Wealth can bring worries and does not make someone truly valuable. But a good name shows that a person is wise, honest, and respected by God and people. When we are respected, we can do more good and show others what it means to follow God.

v. 1: It is better to have a good name than to have great riches . We should work harder to be known for good character than to get more money. Riches can bring problems and even fools can have them, but a good name brings safety and honor. Having the love and respect of others is better than silver and gold. Jesus did not have wealth, but He grew in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52 ^a). This teaches us not to chase after wealth, but to focus on things that are good and worthy of respect (Philippians 4:8 ^b).

Rich and Poor: All Made by the LORD

This section teaches that God is the Creator of both rich and poor people. Everyone, no matter their wealth or status, comes from the same Maker. God arranges life so that some people are rich and others are poor, but all are important to Him and need each other. In God’s eyes, everyone is equal, and both groups have special roles to play in society.

v. 2: The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the Maker of them all . God gives some people riches to help them be thankful and generous, while others are poor to help them learn patience and trust in Him. Both rich and poor have the same needs and stand equally before God. The Bible says, Have they not all one Father? (Malachi 2:10; Job 31:15 ^c). Even though their lives are different, they meet together before God’s justice and grace. Both groups are welcomed by God, and both can receive His promises. In the end, all people, rich or poor, will face God’s judgment and stand on the same level, just as the small and great are there in the grave (Job 34:19 ^d).

Wisdom Helps Us Avoid Danger

This section teaches that wisdom allows us to see danger ahead and avoid it, while foolishness causes people to ignore warnings and suffer for it. Wise people pay attention to signs of trouble and take action to protect themselves. Those who are careless do not listen to warnings and end up getting hurt because of it.

v. 3: A prudent man foresees the evil and hides himself . A wise person uses good judgment to notice when danger or temptation is coming. He prepares himself, like putting on armor, or runs to God for safety, just as Noah prepared for the flood and Joseph prepared for the famine. On the other hand, the simple pass on and are punished. Foolish people do not believe the warnings they are given. They go ahead and make bad choices, even though they have been told what will happen, and only realize their mistake when it's too late. The Bible shows both examples in Exodus 9:20–21 ^e, where some listened to God's warning and others did not. It is very dangerous for our souls if we refuse to listen to warnings.

The Rewards of Humility and the Fear of the LORD

This section explains that a true religious life is shown by humility and respect for God. When we walk humbly with God and honor His authority, we receive blessings both in this life and the next. True religion is not just about outward actions, but about having a humble heart and fearing the Lord.

v. 4: By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. The commentary tells us that religion is mainly about being humble and respecting God. We must submit to God's commands and accept what He decides for us. We should always think lowly of ourselves, showing humility to God and to other people. Where there is true fear of God, there is always humility. The reward for living this way is great. God promises that those who are humble and fear Him will receive riches, honor, and life. Sometimes these are given in this world as far as God sees best. But even if not, those who fear God will definitely receive spiritual riches, honor in God's sight, the blessings of His promises, and eternal life with Him one day.

Thorns and Snares in the Path of the Wicked

This section explains the dangers and troubles that come to those who choose a crooked and rebellious life. It also shows how careful living keeps us safe from many problems that others face due to their bad choices.

v. 5: Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. The commentary teaches that living in sin brings many difficulties and dangers. Those who follow their own stubborn ways will find pain and traps everywhere—like thorns that hurt and snares that catch. People who are always angry or rebellious get into trouble again and again. But if you guard your heart and carefully watch your actions, you will avoid many of these troubles. The path of wisdom is much safer and more pleasant than the path of sin.

Guiding Children in the Right Path

This section highlights the responsibility that parents and teachers have to teach and guide children toward wisdom and goodness. Early training is very important, as it helps protect children from the dangers and temptations of life. The way we raise children has a lasting effect, so we must be careful and thoughtful in our instruction.

v. 6: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The commentary explains that parents and teachers must train children from a young age, because this is the time when they are most open to learning and forming good habits. Children should not be left to follow their own desires, but should be gently and wisely guided in the right path. Like soldiers, they need discipline and practice to learn how to live well. Training should be suitable for each child's abilities, using patience and regular instruction, just like feeding children little by little. If children are taught well when they are young, the good lessons will usually remain with them as they grow older. Even if they wander from the right path for a time, early training can help bring them back. At the very least, parents can have the comfort of knowing they did their best to guide their children in the right way.

The Power of Wealth and Debt

This section looks at the difference between the rich and the poor in daily life. It teaches that having money gives people power, while those who borrow are put in a lower position. The commentary warns us to be careful about getting into debt, and reminds us that financial dependence can lead to loss of freedom.

v. 7: The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. The commentary explains that, although rich and poor live together in the world (Proverbs 22:2 ^f), there are still big differences. Those who have money often control those who do not, because the poor depend on them for help. Sometimes, the rich even treat the poor with pride and harshness, unlike God, who cares for everyone. Also, borrowing puts a person under the power of the lender. People who owe money may have to beg for more time to pay back, and they can lose their freedom. This is why God promised His people in the Old Testament that they would lend to others and not borrow (Deuteronomy 28:12 ^g). We should try to stay out of debt, because sometimes people give up their freedom just to have more luxury.

Sowing Trouble and Ruling in Anger

This section warns about the results of doing wrong and abusing power. It teaches that evil actions and angry rule will not bring real success. People who hurt others or act out of anger will only bring trouble on themselves in the end.

v. 8: He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. The commentary explains that when someone does wrong things in hope of gain, they will be disappointed. What they get will not help them or bring them happiness. If you hurt others, you are only preparing trouble for yourself. People always harvest what they plant. Also, if someone uses their power in anger instead of wisdom, their rule will not last. Angry rulers who seek only their own desires will eventually lose their power and face punishment (Isaiah 10:24,25 ^h).

The Blessing of Generosity

This section describes a person who is generous and caring. Such a person looks for ways to help those in need and shares what he has. True generosity comes from both a caring heart and a willingness to give, even if it means having a little less for yourself. God promises special blessings to those who are kind and share with others.

v. 9: The Bible says, He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor . A generous person is different from someone with an “evil eye” (Proverbs 23:6 ⁱ) or a selfish heart. He looks for people who need help and feels compassion when he sees someone suffering. He gives of his bread—not everything he has, but enough to make a real difference, even if it means less for himself. When someone gives with kindness, the poor are grateful, other people speak well of him, and God Himself will bless him. Jesus also taught about having a single eye (Matthew 6:22 ^j), meaning a heart focused on doing good. Generosity brings blessing from God and others.

Removing the Scorner Brings Peace

This section teaches about the problems caused by a person who mocks or scorns others. Such a person often stirs up arguments and trouble by twisting words and making fun of people. Societies and groups are disturbed by these actions, leading to fights and disagreements. To keep peace, it is sometimes necessary to separate from those who cannot change their disrespectful ways.

v. 10: The Bible says, Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease . A scorner causes discord by always finding fault and mocking others, just like an “evil interpreter” twists everything to the worst meaning. If such a person refuses to change, the best way to restore peace is to remove him from the group. This is like when Ishmael, who mocked Isaac, was sent away from Abraham's family. By removing the troublemaker, arguments and insults will also stop, and the group will be more peaceful.

Pureness of Heart Wins True Friendship

This section explains the qualities of a truly honorable person. Someone who is honest and pure in heart, and who speaks kindly and wisely, is highly valued. Such a person is not only free from wrong desires but also from lying and selfishness. When a person keeps their conscience clean and speaks with grace, both people in authority and God Himself will be pleased with them.

v. 11: The Bible says, He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend . A person who truly loves what is right and stays away from all kinds of evil and deceit is respected by others. If he can also speak well and sincerely, without flattery or rudeness, he will find favor with leaders—including kings. Wise rulers want such honest and sincere people as their friends and advisors, just like there were trusted friends in the courts of King David and King Solomon. Even more, God—the King of kings—will be a friend to anyone whose heart is pure and whose words are full of grace (Psalm 32:2 ^k). This is the special honor that all of God’s people can have.

The Lord Preserves Knowledge

This section shows how God protects true knowledge and brings down those who speak against it. God’s watchful care keeps religion and understanding alive in the world, even when people try to hide the truth or spread lies. He supports those who are wise and faithful, and defeats the plans of those who do wrong.

v. 12: God is always watching over the world with his providence. He works to preserve knowledge by helping people know him and understand right from wrong, even though many try to hide the truth (2 Chronicles 16:9 ^l). Wise and good people—especially those who speak the truth—are protected by God. He gives them help and makes sure their work is successful (Proverbs 2:7-8 ^m). On the other hand, God punishes those who fight against the truth. He overthrows the words of the transgressor and makes sure their plans fail. In this way, God keeps knowledge safe, even when others try to destroy it.

The Excuses of the Slothful

This section teaches us about people who avoid their responsibilities. They make up excuses to escape work, even if those excuses are not true. Their laziness can ruin both their bodies and souls. In the end, their reasons will not help them, and they will lose out.

v. 13: Lazy people always find an excuse not to work. They might say, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!” . They pretend it is too dangerous to go out, but these dangers are only in their imagination. They use these excuses to avoid doing what they should. They do not think about the real danger—the devil, who is called a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8 ⁿ)—or about how their laziness is harming them every day.

The Danger of Immorality

This section warns young men to stay away from immoral women. Their words and actions can be very tempting, but they lead to serious trouble. Falling into this sin shows a person is far from God, and it is very hard to escape once caught. For your own good, avoid temptation and do not let such people influence you.

v. 14: The Bible says, “The mouth of strange women is a deep pit” . If a young man listens to the charms and flattery of immoral women, he is in danger. These women use their words and actions to trap people (Proverbs 7:13 ^o). Those who fall into this trap often show that the Lord has let them go their own way because of other sins. Being liked by such people is not a good sign—it really means God is not pleased. This sin is like a deep pit; it is very hard to get out because it can control your thoughts and make your conscience weak by pleasing your desires.

Foolishness Bound in the Heart of a Child

This section explains two important truths. First, everyone is born with a natural tendency to do wrong. Second, correction is needed to help us change and grow. Children especially need discipline to help them learn what is right. We all need guidance, both from our parents and from God, to overcome our foolishness.

v. 15: The Bible says, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child” . This means that sinful desires are a part of our human nature, and even children are born with this problem. It is not just something that appears—it is tightly connected to who we are, like a branch grafted onto a tree. Only God truly understands how deep this foolishness goes. Because of this, correction and discipline are necessary, not just gentle advice. Parents must correct their children, and God also corrects us, his children (Hebrews 12:6-7 ^p). When we are corrected, we should accept it and let it help us become wiser.

The Folly of Oppressing the Poor and Giving to the Rich

This section warns about the mistakes that wealthy people sometimes make. Some try to increase their riches by withholding help from the poor or by giving gifts to the rich for their own benefit. However, these actions lead to loss and God’s judgment. True wisdom is to be generous to those in need, not just to those who can repay us.

v. 16: The Bible says, “He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth, and he who gives gifts to the rich, will surely come to poverty” . Some people refuse to help the poor, thinking this will make them richer. Instead, they spend money on gifts and big meals for the rich, hoping for favors or to look important. But this selfish generosity will not last. In the end, they will lose what they have, because God is not pleased with those who ignore the needs of the poor. Jesus taught us to invite and help the poor, not just our rich friends (Luke 14:12-13 ^q). Oppressing those in need, or using power to take from the helpless, is wrong and will bring trouble. True generosity blesses both the giver and the receiver.

The Value of Wisdom and Direct Teaching

This section marks a change in the way Solomon speaks. Instead of short sayings, he now speaks directly to his reader, urging them to listen carefully and take his advice to heart. These words are important and personal, meant to guide us in life and help us trust God. Wisdom is not just for knowing, but for living, and for helping others too.

v. 17: Solomon calls us to pay close attention and listen to the advice of wise people. Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. We should not just hear with our ears, but also take these lessons to heart with faith, love, and careful thought. Listening is not enough; our hearts must be involved.

v. 18: For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. Solomon says that keeping wisdom and good advice inside us brings joy and satisfaction. When we let these truths shape us, they become a real pleasure, and we will also speak wisely to others. Speaking about these things will come naturally and will bring us honor.

v. 19: That thy trust may be in the Lord, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. The purpose of this teaching is to help us grow in faith and trust in God. God teaches us our duty so that we can depend on Him and enjoy a close relationship with Him.

v. 20: Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge. Solomon reminds us that the things he writes are not ordinary—they are excellent, important, and helpful for both ourselves and others. These truths are meant for everyone, but especially for each reader personally.

v. 21: That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee. The goal is for us to know what is true and be confident in it. When we follow God's teaching, we can explain our faith to others and give good advice. God gives us wisdom so that we can help those around us and serve our generation according to His will.

Caution against Oppressing the Poor

This section gives a strong warning not to take advantage of poor and helpless people. The commentary points out that oppressing the poor is both a cruel and cowardly sin. It is especially wrong to use power to make the lives of those already suffering even harder. The poor have few ways to defend themselves, so those who have more must be careful not to do them harm.

v. 22: Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate. The commentary explains that it is bad to rob anyone, but it is even worse to rob someone who already has little. Instead of hurting them, we should help and support them. It is also wrong to use legal power ("in the gate") to support those who oppress the poor, or to make unfair judgments against them. Since the poor cannot protect themselves, we should be all the more careful not to do them wrong.

v. 23: For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. The commentary warns that God Himself will stand up for the poor. If people will not help the poor, God will. Those who oppress or rob the poor will face God's judgment, and He will punish them severely—even to the loss of their own souls. In the end, those who harm the poor are really hurting themselves.

Avoiding Angry and Furious Companions

This section warns us to be careful about the friends we choose, especially avoiding close relationships with people who have a bad temper. Our friends can influence us a lot, so we must not become close with those who are easily angered or always looking for a fight. If we spend time with angry people, we might start to act the same way, which can trap us in sin and trouble.

v. 24: Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go. The commentary advises us to avoid becoming close with people who get angry easily. Friendship means sharing and helping, but if your friend is always upset, it will bring you stress and make you feel like you should copy their bad behavior. We should be polite to everyone, but only choose friends who help us grow in goodness and patience.

v. 25: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. The danger in being close to an angry person is that we might start to act the same way. People often become like those they spend time with. If we are around those who are quick to get angry, we may find ourselves falling into the same trap. A habit of anger is a big danger for the soul, leading to more sin and trouble.

Warning Against Being Surety for Debts

This section gives advice about not becoming responsible for other people's debts. It teaches that it is unwise and can cause harm to yourself and others. If you take on someone else’s debt and cannot pay, it can ruin your finances and even hurt your family. The Bible warns us to be careful with our money and to avoid risky promises.

v. 26: The Bible says, “Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts” (Proverbs 22:26 ^r). We should not become close friends with people who have a bad reputation with money and who might pressure us to guarantee their loans. Often, such people just use others to keep their bad habits going, and in the end, it causes more harm. Also, we should not agree to pay someone else’s debt if we know we do not have enough money ourselves. If we promise to pay, but cannot, it is unfair to those who trusted us. In Old Testament times, if someone could not pay, even their bed could be taken as payment (Exodus 22:26-27 ^s). We must also be responsible for our own families. It is wrong to put ourselves in trouble or lose what we have because of our own bad choices or because we take on other people's debts. If we lose our possessions for doing good, we can be joyful; but if we suffer because of our own mistakes, it is much harder to accept.

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Respecting Ancient Boundaries

This section warns us not to take what belongs to others, even in secret or by clever tricks. The old boundaries, or landmarks, show what each person owns. Respecting these not only protects property, but also keeps peace in the community. Changing them causes fights and problems that can last for generations. We should also respect long-standing customs and fair rules in society, because changing them quickly can be dangerous.

v. 28: The Bible says, “Do not move the ancient landmark which your fathers have set” . This means you should not steal someone’s land or rights, even if you think you can get away with it. Landmarks are proof of what belongs to each person. Moving them is the same as stealing, and it brings trouble and arguments. We should also respect the good laws and customs that have been in place for a long time, because they help keep order and fairness in society.

The Reward of Diligence

This section teaches about the value of being hardworking and skilled in your work. It is rare to find someone who truly puts effort and care into what they do, but such people are worthy of praise. Diligence leads to greater opportunities and respect, even from important leaders. This principle applies not only to daily work, but also to spiritual life.

v. 29: The Bible says, “Do you see a man diligent in his business? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before mean men” (Proverbs 22:29 ^t). It is not easy to find someone who works hard and does their job well, because laziness is common. But if you are active, skilled, and quick in your work, you will be noticed. Even if you start by working for ordinary people, your hard work can lead you to important places and even before kings. This is also true in the things of God—those who are diligent will be honored by the King of kings.