He dies for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly. He will dieThe phrase "He will die" serves as a stark warning about the ultimate consequence of ignoring wisdom and discipline. In the Hebrew text, the word for "die" is "מוּת" (muth), which not only refers to physical death but can also imply spiritual death or separation from God. This highlights the seriousness of living a life devoid of divine guidance and moral restraint. The Bible consistently teaches that the wages of sin is death ( Romans 6:23), emphasizing the eternal consequences of a life lived in rebellion against God's commandments. for lack of discipline
The term "lack of discipline" is translated from the Hebrew word "מוּסָר" (musar), which encompasses instruction, correction, and moral training. In the context of Proverbs, discipline is not merely punitive but is intended for growth and maturity. The absence of discipline suggests a life without boundaries or accountability, leading to chaos and destruction. Historically, the wisdom literature of the Bible, including Proverbs, was used to instruct young men in the ways of righteousness, underscoring the importance of discipline as foundational to a godly life. led astray
"Led astray" comes from the Hebrew "שָׁגָה" (shagah), meaning to wander or go astray. This word paints a picture of someone who has deviated from the right path, often due to deception or ignorance. In a biblical context, being led astray is frequently associated with following false teachings or succumbing to temptation. The imagery here is of a sheep that has wandered from the safety of the shepherd, vulnerable to predators. It serves as a reminder of the importance of staying close to God's truth to avoid spiritual peril. by his own great folly
The phrase "his own great folly" is derived from the Hebrew "אִוֶּלֶת" (ivveleth), which refers to foolishness or senselessness. This is not mere ignorance but a willful rejection of wisdom and understanding. The use of "great" emphasizes the magnitude of the folly, suggesting a deep-seated, pervasive foolishness that governs one's actions. In the biblical narrative, folly is often contrasted with wisdom, which is rooted in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). This contrast serves to highlight the self-destructive nature of living according to one's own understanding rather than seeking divine wisdom. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Foolish ManThe primary subject of this verse, representing anyone who lacks discipline and is led astray by their own folly. 2. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom and is addressing his son or a young man in this chapter. 3. The Path of FollyA metaphorical path representing a life lived without wisdom or discipline, leading to destruction. Teaching Points The Importance of DisciplineDiscipline is crucial for a righteous life. Without it, one is prone to making foolish decisions that lead to spiritual and sometimes physical death. Consequences of FollyThe verse warns of the severe consequences of living a life without wisdom and discipline. It serves as a reminder that our choices have real and lasting impacts. Self-ExaminationBelievers are encouraged to examine their lives for areas lacking discipline and seek God's wisdom to correct their paths. Seeking WisdomThe pursuit of wisdom and understanding is a lifelong journey that requires dedication and a willingness to learn from God's Word. Guarding Against DeceptionThe verse highlights the danger of being led astray by one's own desires and the importance of staying grounded in biblical truth. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some areas in your life where you struggle with discipline, and how can you seek God's help to improve in these areas? 2. How does the concept of "folly" in Proverbs 5:23 relate to the broader biblical theme of wisdom versus foolishness? 3. In what ways can the consequences of a lack of discipline manifest in a person's life, both spiritually and physically? 4. How can you apply the principles of discipline and wisdom from Proverbs 5:23 to your daily decision-making process? 5. Reflect on a time when you were "led astray by your own great folly." What did you learn from that experience, and how can it inform your future choices? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 1:7This verse highlights the importance of fearing the Lord as the beginning of knowledge, contrasting with the folly of ignoring wisdom. Proverbs 12:1This verse emphasizes the value of loving discipline and the foolishness of hating correction. Hebrews 12:11This New Testament verse discusses the benefits of discipline, which, although painful at the time, yields a harvest of righteousness. James 1:14-15These verses describe how desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death, paralleling the consequences of folly. Galatians 6:7-8These verses warn that a man reaps what he sows, reinforcing the idea that a lack of discipline leads to negative consequences. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Abundance, Astray, Die, Dies, Dieth, Discipline, Folly, Foolish, Greatness, Instruction, Lack, Led, Lost, Magnifieth, Reel, Teaching, WanderingDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 5:23 8757 folly, effects of
8760 fools, characteristics Proverbs 5:1-23 5276 crime
5481 proverb Proverbs 5:18-23 5468 promises, human Proverbs 5:21-23 9023 death, unbelievers Library The Cords of Sin
'His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.'--PROVERBS v. 22. In Hosea's tender picture of the divine training of Israel which, alas! failed of its effect, we read, 'I drew them with cords of a man,' which is further explained as being 'with bands of love.' The metaphor in the prophet's mind is probably that of a child being 'taught to go' and upheld in its first tottering steps by leading-strings. God drew Israel, though Israel did not yield …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureLast Things
A sermon (No. 667) delivered on Sunday morning, December 31, 1865 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "At the last."--Proverbs 5:11. The wise man saw the young and simple straying into the house of the strange woman. The house seemed so completely different from what he knew it to be that he desired to shed a light upon it, that the young man might not sin in the dark, but might understand the nature of his deeds. The wise man looked abroad and he saw but one lamp suitable …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
A Sermon (No. 915) delivered on Sabbath morning, February 13th, 1870 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins." -- Proverbs 5:22. The first sentence has reference to a net in which birds or beasts are taken. The ungodly man first of all finds sin to be a bait, and charmed by its apparent pleasantness he indulges in it and then he becomes entangled in its meshes so that he cannot …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
The first sentence of the text also may have reference to an arrest by an officer of law. The transgressor's own sins shall take him, shall seize him; they bear a warrant for arresting him, they shall judge him, they shall even execute him. Sin, which at the first bringeth to man a specious pleasure, ere long turneth into bitterness, remorse, and fear. Sin is a dragon, with eyes like stars, but it carrieth a deadly sting in its tail. The cup of sin, with rainbow bubbles on its brim, is black with …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 16: 1870 How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 15.) Differently to be admonished are the over-silent, and those who spend time in much speaking. For it ought to be insinuated to the over-silent that while they shun some vices unadvisedly, they are, without its being perceived, implicated in worse. For often from bridling the tongue overmuch they suffer from more grievous loquacity in the heart; so that thoughts seethe the more in the mind from being straitened by the violent guard of indiscreet silence. And for the most part they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for Churches.
Text: Philippians 1, 3-11. 3 I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy, 5 for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now; 6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III "The Truth. " Some Generals Proposed.
That what we are to speak to for the clearing and improving this noble piece of truth, that Christ is the Truth, may be the more clearly understood and edifying, we shall first take notice of some generals, and then show particularly how or in what respects Christ is called the Truth; and finally speak to some cases wherein we are to make use of Christ as the Truth. As to the first. There are four general things here to be noticed. 1. This supposeth what our case by nature is, and what we are all …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Right Understanding of the Law
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Before I come to the commandments, I shall answer questions, and lay down rules respecting the moral law. What is the difference between the moral laud and the gospel? (1) The law requires that we worship God as our Creator; the gospel, that we worship him in and through Christ. God in Christ is propitious; out of him we may see God's power, justice, and holiness: in him we see his mercy displayed. (2) The moral law requires obedience, but gives …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision F. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. ^C Luke XVI. 19-31. [The parable we are about to study is a direct advance upon the thoughts in the previous section. We may say generally that if the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them. Each point of the previous discourse is covered in detail, as will be shown by the references in the discussion of the parable.] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel 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 5:23 NIVProverbs 5:23 NLTProverbs 5:23 ESVProverbs 5:23 NASBProverbs 5:23 KJV
Proverbs 5:23 Commentaries
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