Proverbs 5
Parental Instructions; Cautions against Sensuality.This section is a warning from Solomon to young people, urging them to listen carefully to wise advice about living a pure life. Solomon speaks as a loving parent, wanting to protect his children from the dangers of sexual sin. He explains that his words are not just good ideas, but wisdom from God, meant to help us make good choices and avoid regret. The main message is to stay far away from temptation and to understand how serious and destructive these sins can be.v. 1–2: Solomon begins by asking his son—and all young people—to pay close attention to his words. He says, “Attend, and bow thy ear,” meaning we should not just hear, but really think about and apply what is taught (Proverbs 5:1–2 a). He explains that his teaching is true wisdom and understanding. The goal is not just to know things, but to act wisely and speak wisely, so that we can help others too. Like priests who “keep knowledge” (Malachi 2:7 b), we should be ready to share wisdom with those around us. – v. 3–6: Solomon warns about the temptation of sexual sin, especially adultery. He says, “the lips of a strange woman drop as a honey-comb,” meaning her words and actions seem sweet and attractive at first (Proverbs 5:3 c). But in the end, this path is “bitter as wormwood” and “sharp as a two-edged sword” (Proverbs 5:4 d). The pleasure quickly turns to pain and regret. This sin leads to death and even hell, showing how dangerous it is (Proverbs 5:5 e). The person who tempts others changes her ways often, making it hard to see the truth. Her goal is to keep people from thinking seriously about their lives and choosing the right path. Sin, especially sexual sin, blinds people and keeps them from following God. As it says, “Whoredom takes away the heart” (Hosea 4:11 f). – – – v. 7–8: Solomon repeats his warning, saying, “Hear me now therefore, O you children!” He urges everyone to remember his words and not to forget them when tempted. The advice is clear: “Remove thy way far from her; come not nigh the door of her house” (Proverbs 5:8 g). We should avoid even coming close to temptation, just as we would avoid a place with a deadly disease. It is foolish to think we can get close to sin and not be harmed. Jesus also taught that we should cut off anything that causes us to sin, even if it is as precious as a right hand or eye (Matthew 5:28–30 h). – v. 9–11: Solomon explains the consequences of ignoring this warning. Sexual sin ruins a person’s reputation—“Thou wilt give thy honour unto others” (Proverbs 5:9 i). It wastes the best years of life, giving them “unto the cruel.” It can also destroy a person’s wealth, as “strangers will be filled with thy wealth” and “the fruit of thy labours” will go to someone else (Proverbs 5:10 j). Even health is affected: “Thy flesh and thy body are consumed” (Proverbs 5:11 k). Sin not only harms the soul, but also the body, leading to sickness and even an early death. – – v. 12–13: When people finally realize what they have done, they will be filled with regret. They will say, “How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof” (Proverbs 5:12 l). They will remember that parents and teachers tried to warn them, but they did not listen or obey (Proverbs 5:13 m). Those who have had good teaching but ignore it will have much to answer for. – v. 14: The person caught in sin will admit, “I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly” . Even in places of worship, their heart was full of sinful thoughts. This makes the sin even worse, because it happened in the presence of God and His people. Some people will even suffer public shame and punishment because of their actions. This is a warning to avoid anything that will bring such deep regret in the end. Conjugal Fidelity Enjoined.After warning about the dangers and harm of adultery and sexual sin, Solomon offers advice for avoiding these mistakes. He teaches that God’s plan for marriage is a blessing, not a restriction. Enjoying marriage as God intended is the best way to resist temptation. This section encourages faithfulness in marriage and explains why it is both wise and joyful to stay loyal to one’s spouse.v. 15: Solomon says, “Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well” . This means people should be satisfied with their own husband or wife. Marriage is God’s good plan to meet our natural desires in a pure and safe way. Instead of seeking forbidden pleasures, focus on the happiness found in a faithful marriage (1 Corinthians 7:2–3 n). v. 16–17: He adds that children are like “streams from your own pure fountains” (Proverbs 5:16–17 o). Staying faithful gives you a family you can be proud of. Your children belong to you and are a blessing, not a shame. But those who are unfaithful may have children who do not truly belong to them, bringing confusion and dishonor (Isaiah 48:1; Hosea 4:10 p). – v. 18: Solomon encourages men to be happy with their wives. “Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth” . Be thankful for your spouse, pray for her, and enjoy life together. God wants married couples to find joy with each other. This brings happiness and helps keep the relationship strong (Ecclesiastes 9:9; Isaiah 62:5 q). v. 19: He says, “Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe” . Spend time with your wife and let her love satisfy you. Just as the poor man loved his ewe-lamb (2 Samuel 12:3 r), husbands should cherish their wives and not look for pleasure elsewhere. If you are going to be deeply in love, let it be with your own spouse. v. 20: Solomon asks, “Why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman?” . It is foolish to desire someone who is not your wife. Why choose dirty, stolen water when you can have clean, living water from your own well? Staying faithful is both wise and honorable. v. 21: He reminds us that “the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord” . God sees everything, even what is done in secret. He knows all our actions and thoughts. Nothing can be hidden from Him. God is a fair judge and will hold us responsible for what we do (Job 24:15; Ecclesiastes 12:14 s; Proverbs 4:26 t). v. 22–23: Solomon warns that those who do not turn away from sin will be trapped by it. “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins” (Proverbs 5:22 u). Sin is like a rope that ties people up, making it hard to escape. In the end, those who ignore warnings and keep doing wrong will die “without instruction” and be lost “in the greatness of his folly” (Proverbs 5:23 v). God will judge those who are unfaithful (Hebrews 13:4; Ezekiel 23:19 w; Jeremiah 7:19 x).
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