◄ Proverbs 15:31 ►
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
Study Bible
He who listens
The phrase "He who listens" emphasizes the importance of active listening, a recurring theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible. The Hebrew root for "listens" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to hear intelligently, often with the implication of obedience. In the ancient Near Eastern context, listening was not merely a passive activity but an active engagement that required a response. This concept is foundational in the Hebrew tradition, where listening to God's word and commandments is paramount. The act of listening is seen as a pathway to wisdom and understanding, aligning oneself with divine truth.

to life-giving reproof
The term "life-giving reproof" combines the idea of correction with the promise of life. The Hebrew word for "reproof" is "תּוֹכַחַת" (tokhachath), which refers to correction or rebuke. However, this is not a harsh or punitive correction but one that is intended to bring life and growth. In the biblical context, reproof is a tool used by God and wise individuals to guide others back to the right path. The phrase suggests that accepting correction is not only beneficial but essential for spiritual vitality and growth. It implies that true wisdom comes from being open to correction and willing to change.

will dwell among the wise
The promise "will dwell among the wise" indicates a reward for those who heed correction. The Hebrew word for "dwell" is "שָׁכַן" (shakan), which means to reside or settle. This implies a sense of belonging and community. In ancient Israel, wisdom was highly valued, and to be counted among the wise was a significant honor. The wise are those who live according to God's principles, and dwelling among them suggests a life enriched by their counsel and example. This phrase underscores the biblical principle that wisdom is not just an individual pursuit but a communal one, where learning and growth occur within the context of a community of believers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was known for his wisdom, which he received from God. His writings often focus on the importance of wisdom and understanding.

2. The Wise
In the context of Proverbs, the wise are those who live according to God's principles, valuing instruction and correction as a means to grow in understanding and righteousness.

3. The Listener
This refers to anyone who is open to receiving correction and instruction, which is a key theme in the book of Proverbs.
Teaching Points
The Value of Reproof
Reproof is not merely criticism but a life-giving correction that leads to growth and wisdom. Embrace it as a tool for spiritual development.

Dwelling Among the Wise
Associating with wise individuals who value God's truth can lead to personal growth. Seek out communities and friendships that encourage godly wisdom.

Openness to Instruction
Cultivate a heart that is open to receiving correction. This openness is a mark of humility and a desire to grow in Christlikeness.

The Role of Humility
Humility is essential in accepting reproof. Recognize that no one is beyond the need for correction and that it is a pathway to wisdom.

The Fruit of Correction
Understand that accepting reproof leads to a deeper understanding of God's will and a more fruitful Christian life.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of "life-giving reproof" challenge your current understanding of correction and discipline?

2. In what ways can you actively seek to "dwell among the wise" in your daily life?

3. Reflect on a time when you received reproof. How did it contribute to your personal or spiritual growth?

4. How can you cultivate a heart that is more open to receiving correction from others?

5. What other scriptures can you find that emphasize the importance of wisdom and correction? How do they enhance your understanding of Proverbs 15:31?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 12:1
This verse emphasizes that loving discipline is a sign of knowledge, while hating correction is foolish. It reinforces the idea that accepting reproof is essential for wisdom.

Hebrews 12:11
This passage discusses how discipline, though painful at the moment, yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those trained by it, aligning with the theme of life-giving reproof.

James 1:19-20
These verses encourage believers to be quick to listen and slow to speak, highlighting the importance of being receptive to instruction and correction.
Sermons
Religion and Common SenseE. Johnson Proverbs 15:24-33
People
Abaddon, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abide, Abideth, Admonition, Dwell, Ear, Heareth, Hearing, Hearkeneth, Heeds, Home, Life-giving, Listens, Lodge, Open, Rebuke, Reproof, Teaching, Wholesome, Wise
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 15:31

     5165   listening
     8367   wisdom, importance of

Proverbs 15:31-32

     5926   rebuke

Library
God, the All-Seeing One
A sermon (No. 177) delivered on Sabbath morning, February 14, 1858 At The Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens by C. H. Spurgeon. "Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?" -- Proverbs 15:11. You have often smiled at the ignorance of heathens who bow themselves before gods of wood and stone. You have quoted the words of Scripture and you have said, "Eyes have they, but they see not; ears have they, but they hear not." You have therefore argued that …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Hedge of Thorns and the Plain Way
A sermon (No. 1948) delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain."--Proverbs 15:19. You must have noticed how frequently godly people almost wear out their Bibles in certain places. The Psalms, the Gospel of John, and parts of the Epistles are favourite portions, and are thumbed in many an old believer's Bible till the fact is very noticeable. There are certain sheep-tracks …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

God, the All-Seeing One
We have in our text, first of all, a great fact declared,--"Hell and destruction are before the Lord ;" we have, secondly, a great fact inferred,--"How much more then the hearts of the children of men?" I. We will begin with THE GREAT FACT WHICH IS DECLARED--a fact which furnishes us with premises from which we deduce the practical conclusion of the second sentence--"How much more then the hearts of the children of men?" The best interpretation that you can give of those two words, "hell" and "destruction," …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

How the Humble and the Haughty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 18.) Differently to be admonished are the humble and the haughty. To the former it is to be insinuated how true is that excellence which they hold in hoping for it; to the latter it is to be intimated how that temporal glory is as nothing which even when embracing it they hold not. Let the humble hear how eternal are the things that they long for, how transitory the things which they despise; let the haughty hear how transitory are the things they court, how eternal the things they …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

And He had Also this Favour Granted Him. ...
66. And he had also this favour granted him. For as he was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God [1112] . After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him, saying, Antony, rise, go out and look.' …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Epistle cxxii. To Rechared, King of the visigoths .
To Rechared, King of the Visigoths [82] . Gregory to Rechared, &c. I cannot express in words, most excellent son, how much I am delighted with thy work and thy life. For on hearing of the power of a new miracle in our days, to wit that the whole nation of the Goths has through thy Excellency been brought over from the error of Arian heresy to the firmness of a right faith, one is disposed to exclaim with the prophet, This is the change wrought by the right hand of the Most High (Ps. lxxvi. 11 [83] …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Contention Over the Man Born Blind.
(Jerusalem.) ^D John IX. 1-41. [Some look upon the events in this and the next section as occurring at the Feast of Tabernacles in October, others think they occurred at the Feast of Dedication in December, deriving their point of time from John x. 22.] ^d 1 And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. [The man probably sought to waken compassion by repeatedly stating this fact to passers-by.] 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

"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

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
1 Tim. i. 5.--"Now the end of the commandment," &c. We come now, as was proposed, to observe, Thirdly,(474) That faith unfeigned is the only thing which gives the answer of a good conscience towards God. Conscience, in general, is nothing else but a practical knowledge of the rule a man should walk by, and of himself in reference to that rule. It is the laying down a man's state, and condition, and actions beside the rule of God's word, or the principles of nature's light. It is the chief piece …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." All men love to have privileges above others. Every one is upon the design and search after some well-being, since Adam lost that which was true happiness. We all agree upon the general notion of it, but presently men divide in the following of particulars. Here all men are united in seeking after some good; something to satisfy their souls, and satiate their desires. Nay, but they …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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

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

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