◄ Proverbs 17:15 ►
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous--both are detestable to the LORD.
Study Bible
Acquitting the guilty
The Hebrew word for "acquitting" is "מַצְדִּיק" (matsdiq), which means to declare someone righteous or innocent. In the context of ancient Israel, justice was a foundational principle, deeply rooted in the character of God. The act of declaring the guilty as innocent undermines the very essence of justice. Historically, the legal systems in biblical times were designed to reflect God's justice, and any perversion of this was seen as a direct affront to His nature. This phrase warns against the corruption of justice, which can lead to societal decay and moral confusion.

Condemning the righteous
The Hebrew term for "condemning" is "מַרְשִׁיעַ" (marshi'a), meaning to declare someone guilty or wicked. This phrase highlights the injustice of punishing those who are innocent or upright. In the biblical context, the righteous are those who live according to God's laws and principles. Condemning such individuals not only harms them but also distorts the moral fabric of society. This act is a grave injustice that God detests because it opposes His truth and righteousness.

Both are detestable
The word "detestable" in Hebrew is "תוֹעֲבַת" (to'evat), which conveys a sense of abomination or something that is utterly repulsive. In the biblical narrative, certain actions are described as detestable to God because they violate His holy standards. This phrase emphasizes that both acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous are equally abhorrent to God. It underscores the importance of maintaining justice and righteousness, which are central to God's character and His expectations for His people.

To the LORD
The term "LORD" is translated from the Hebrew "יְהוָה" (YHWH), the personal name of God, which signifies His eternal and unchanging nature. This phrase reminds us that God is the ultimate judge and arbiter of justice. His standards are perfect, and He sees beyond human biases and errors. The verse calls believers to align their sense of justice with God's, recognizing that He values truth and righteousness above all. It serves as a powerful reminder that our actions and judgments should reflect God's character, striving for integrity and fairness in all our dealings.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The central figure in this verse, representing God's character and His standards of justice and righteousness.

2. The Guilty
Those who have committed wrongdoing or sin, deserving of punishment according to God's law.

3. The Righteous
Individuals who live according to God's commandments and are in right standing with Him.

4. Judicial Context
The verse implies a setting where judgments are made, possibly in a court or community setting where justice is administered.

5. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom and understanding of God's laws.
Teaching Points
God's Standard of Justice
God detests injustice, whether it is acquitting the guilty or condemning the righteous. His standard is absolute and unchanging.

The Importance of Righteous Judgment
As followers of Christ, we are called to uphold justice in our communities, ensuring that our judgments align with God's truth.

Moral Integrity in Leadership
Leaders, whether in the church or society, must exercise discernment and integrity, reflecting God's justice in their decisions.

Personal Reflection on Justice
Believers should examine their own lives to ensure they are not guilty of unjust actions or attitudes, seeking God's guidance to live righteously.

The Role of Mercy and Truth
While justice is crucial, it must be balanced with mercy and truth, reflecting the full character of God in our interactions with others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's detest for injustice influence your perspective on current societal issues?

2. In what ways can you ensure that your personal judgments align with God's standards of justice and righteousness?

3. Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced injustice. How did it affect your understanding of this proverb?

4. How can the church today uphold the principles of justice and righteousness in a world that often blurs these lines?

5. What steps can you take to cultivate a heart that seeks justice, loves mercy, and walks humbly with God, as described in Micah 6:8?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 25:1
This verse discusses the importance of just judgments, where the innocent are acquitted, and the guilty are condemned, aligning with the principles in Proverbs 17:15.

Isaiah 5:20
Warns against calling evil good and good evil, which parallels the detestable act of acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous.

Romans 1:32
Highlights the severity of approving sinful actions, which is akin to acquitting the guilty.

Micah 6:8
Emphasizes doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, which contrasts with the unjust actions described in Proverbs 17:15.
Sermons
Just EstimatesProverbs 17:15
Our Estimate of Other MenH. Alford, B. D.Proverbs 17:15
Fatherhood and SonshipW. Clarkson Proverbs 17:6, 21, 25
Dark Phases of Human CharacterE. Johnson Proverbs 17:10-15
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abomination, Alike, Condemneth, Condemning, Condemns, Decision, Detests, Disgusting, Equally, Evil-doer, Gives, Guilty, Innocent, Justifies, Justifieth, Justifying, Righteous, Upright, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 17:15

     5203   acquittal
     5350   injustice, hated by God
     5882   impartiality
     6126   condemnation, human
     6173   guilt, and God
     6677   justification, necessity
     8278   innocence, teaching on

Library
April 8. "A Merry Heart Doeth Good Like a Medicine" (Prov. xvii. 22).
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Prov. xvii. 22). King Solomon left among his wise sayings a prescription for sick and sad hearts, and it is one that we can safely take. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Joy is the great restorer and healer. Gladness of spirit will bring health to the bones and vitality to the nerves when all other tonics fail, and all other sedatives cease to quiet. Sick one, begin to rejoice in the Lord, and your bones will flourish like an herb, and your cheeks …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

September 12. "The Furnace for Gold; but the Lord Trieth the Hearts" (Prov. xvii. 3. )
"The furnace for gold; but the Lord trieth the hearts" (Prov. xvii. 3.) Remember that temptation is not sin unless it be accompanied with the consent of your will. There may seem to be even the inclination, and yet the real choice of your spirit is fixed immovably against it, and God regards it simply as a solicitation and credits you with an obedience all the more pleasing to Him, because the temptation was so strong. We little know how evil can find access to a pure nature and seem to incorporate …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Unrivalled Friend
A sermon (No. 899) delivered on Lord's Day morning, November 7th, 1869, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."--Proverbs 17:17. There is one thing about the usefulness of which all men are agreed, namely, friendship; but most men are soon aware that counterfeits of friendship are common as autumn leaves. Few men enjoy from others the highest and truest form of friendship. The friendships of this world are …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Its Meaning
Deliverance from the condemning sentence of the Divine Law is the fundamental blessing in Divine salvation: so long as we continue under the curse, we can neither be holy nor happy. But as to the precise nature of that deliverance, as to exactly what it consists of, as to the ground on which it is obtained, and as to the means whereby it is secured, much confusion now obtains. Most of the errors which have been prevalent on this subject arose from the lack of a clear view of the thing itself, and …
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

Religion a Weariness to the Natural Man.
"He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him."--Isaiah liii. 2. "Religion is a weariness;" such is the judgment commonly passed, often avowed, concerning the greatest of blessings which Almighty God has bestowed upon us. And when God gave the blessing, He at the same time foretold that such would be the judgment of the world upon it, even as manifested in the gracious Person of Him whom He sent to give it to us. "He hath no form nor …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and Death.
THAT early spring-tide in Galilee was surely the truest realisation of the picture in the Song of Solomon, when earth clad herself in garments of beauty, and the air was melodious with songs of new life. [2625] It seemed as if each day marked a widening circle of deepest sympathy and largest power on the part of Jesus; as if each day also brought fresh surprise, new gladness; opened hitherto unthought-of possibilities, and pointed Israel far beyond the horizon of their narrow expectancy. Yesterday …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Cæsarius of Arles.
He was born in the district of Chalons-sur-Saone, A. D. 470. He seems to have been early awakened, by a pious education, to vital Christianity. When he was between seven and eight years old, it would often happen that he would give a portion of his clothes to the poor whom he met, and would say, when he came home, that he had been, constrained to do so. When yet a youth, he entered the celebrated convent on the island of Lerins, (Lerina,) in Provence, from which a spirit of deep and practical piety …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

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

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

"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

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.

An Exhortation to Peace and Unity
[ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR] This treatise was first published in 1688, after Bunyan's death, at the end of the second edition of the Barren Fig Tree, with a black border round the title. It was continued in the third edition 1692, but was subsequently omitted, although the Barren Fig Tree was printed for the same publisher. It has been printed in every edition of Bunyan's Works. Respect for the judgment of others leads me to allow it a place in the first complete edition, although I have serious …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Nature of Justification
Justification in the active sense (iustificatio, {GREEK SMALL LETTER DELTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER KAPPA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER OMEGA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER SIGMA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is defined by the Tridentine Council as "a translation from that state wherein man is born a child of the first Adam, to the state of grace and of the adoption of the sons of God through the second Adam, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Concerning Justification.
Concerning Justification. As many as resist not this light, but receive the same, it becomes in them an holy, pure, and spiritual birth, bringing forth holiness, righteousness, purity, and all those other blessed fruits which are acceptable to God: by which holy birth, to wit, Jesus Christ formed within us, and working his works in us, as we are sanctified, so are we justified in the sight of God, according to the apostle's words; But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

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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