He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor. He who pursuesThe phrase "He who pursues" suggests an active, intentional effort. In the Hebrew text, the word for "pursues" is "רדף" (radaph), which implies a relentless chase or pursuit. This is not a passive waiting but an active seeking, akin to a hunter tracking his prey. In the biblical context, this pursuit is a lifelong journey, reflecting a deep commitment to spiritual growth and moral integrity. The pursuit of righteousness is a central theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible, emphasizing the importance of striving towards godliness and moral excellence. righteousness
The Hebrew word for "righteousness" is "צדקה" (tsedaqah), which encompasses justice, rightness, and ethical conduct. In the biblical sense, righteousness is not merely about following rules but living in a way that reflects God's character. It involves a commitment to justice, fairness, and integrity in all aspects of life. Historically, righteousness was seen as a covenantal relationship with God, where one's actions align with divine will. This pursuit is foundational to a life that honors God and benefits others. and loving devotion
"Loving devotion" is translated from the Hebrew word "חסד" (chesed), which is rich in meaning, encompassing kindness, mercy, and steadfast love. Chesed is a covenantal term, often used to describe God's unwavering love and faithfulness towards His people. In human relationships, it implies loyalty, compassion, and a commitment to the well-being of others. The pursuit of loving devotion involves cultivating a heart that mirrors God's love, characterized by selflessness and grace. finds life
The promise of "finds life" is profound, suggesting more than mere existence. In the Hebrew context, "life" (חיים, chayim) refers to a quality of life that is full, abundant, and aligned with God's purposes. It is a life marked by spiritual vitality and fulfillment. This promise echoes the biblical principle that true life is found in relationship with God, where one's soul is nourished and sustained by His presence and guidance. righteousness
The repetition of "righteousness" underscores its importance. Here, it suggests that the pursuit of righteousness leads to a deeper experience of righteousness itself. This is a transformative process, where one's character is continually shaped and refined to reflect God's holiness. It is a reminder that righteousness is both a pursuit and a reward, a journey and a destination. and honor
The word "honor" in Hebrew is "כבוד" (kavod), which conveys a sense of glory, respect, and dignity. In the biblical worldview, honor is bestowed by God and is a reflection of one's alignment with His will. It is not the fleeting honor of human accolades but a lasting recognition of a life lived in accordance with divine principles. This honor is both a present reality and a future promise, as those who pursue righteousness and loving devotion are esteemed by God and ultimately rewarded in His eternal kingdom. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God. 2. IsraelThe nation to whom the Proverbs were originally addressed, providing them with wisdom literature to guide their daily lives and spiritual practices. 3. The PursuerThe individual who actively seeks righteousness and loving devotion, as described in this verse. This person is characterized by their intentional pursuit of godly virtues. Teaching Points Pursuit of RighteousnessRighteousness is not a passive state but an active pursuit. It involves making daily choices that align with God's standards and commands. Loving Devotion (Chesed)The Hebrew word "chesed" often translated as loving devotion or mercy, implies a steadfast love and loyalty. Pursuing this means cultivating a heart that reflects God's love and faithfulness. Promise of Life, Righteousness, and HonorThe verse promises that those who pursue righteousness and loving devotion will find life, righteousness, and honor. This suggests that God's blessings are both spiritual and practical, impacting our lives holistically. Holistic BlessingsThe rewards of pursuing righteousness and loving devotion are comprehensive, affecting one's spiritual, moral, and social standing. Active FaithThis verse encourages believers to actively engage in their faith journey, seeking to embody the virtues of righteousness and loving devotion in all aspects of life. Bible Study Questions 1. What does it mean to "pursue" righteousness and loving devotion in your daily life, and how can you actively engage in this pursuit? 2. How do the promises of life, righteousness, and honor in Proverbs 21:21 motivate you to seek these virtues? 3. In what ways can you demonstrate "chesed" (loving devotion) in your relationships with others? 4. How does the pursuit of righteousness and loving devotion align with Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the blessings of life, righteousness, or honor as a result of pursuing godly virtues. How did this impact your faith journey? Connections to Other Scriptures Matthew 5:6Jesus speaks about those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, promising that they will be filled. This connects to the pursuit of righteousness in Proverbs 21:21, emphasizing the blessing that comes from such a pursuit. Micah 6:8This verse outlines what the Lord requires: to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. It parallels the themes of righteousness and loving devotion found in Proverbs 21:21. 1 Timothy 6:11Paul encourages Timothy to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness, echoing the pursuit of virtues mentioned in Proverbs 21:21. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Findeth, Finds, Followeth, Follows, Goes, Honor, Honour, Kindness, Love, Loyalty, Mercy, Prosperity, Pursues, Pursuing, RighteousnessDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 21:20-21 8367 wisdom, importance of Library Definition of Actual Grace
1. GENERAL NOTION OF GRACE.--The best way to arrive at a correct definition of actual grace is by the synthetic method. We therefore begin with the general notion of grace. Like "nature,"(3) grace (gratia, {GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is a word of wide reach, used in a great variety of senses. Habert(4) enumerates no less than fourteen; which, however, may be reduced to four. a) Subjectively, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and HabitualEpistle xxi. To Constantina Augusta .
To Constantina Augusta [1593] . Gregory to Constantina, &c. Almighty God, who holds in His right hand the heart of your Piety, both protects us through you and prepares for you rewards of eternal remuneration for temporal deeds. For I have learnt from the letters of the deacon Sabinianus my responsalis with what justice your Serenity is interested in the cause of the blessed Prince of the apostles Peter against certain persons who are proudly humble and feignedly kind. And I trust in the bounty …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Epistle Cvi. To Syagrius, Ætherius, virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops .
To Syagrius, Ætherius, Virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops [65] . Gregory to Syagrius of Augustodunum (Autun), Etherius of Lugdunum (Lyons), Virgilius of Aretale (Arles), and Desiderius of Vienna (Vienne), bishops of Gaul. A paribus. Our Head, which is Christ, has to this end willed us to be His members, that through the bond of charity and faith He might make us one body in Himself. And to Him it befits us so to adhere in heart, that, since without Him we can be nothing, through Him we may …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others, but Keep their Own; and those who Give of their Own, yet Seize
(Admonition 22.) Differently to be admonished are those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own, and those who give of what they have, and yet desist not from seizing on what belongs to others. Those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own are to be admonished to consider carefully that the earth out of which they are taken is common to all men, and therefore brings forth nourishment for all in common. Vainly, then, do those suppose …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy. Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 21:21 NIVProverbs 21:21 NLTProverbs 21:21 ESVProverbs 21:21 NASBProverbs 21:21 KJV
Proverbs 21:21 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
