A Word Fitly Spoken: A Short Commentary on Proverbs 25:11-12

Introduction

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, who led the Union to a successful defeat of the rebellious insurrection in the American Civil War, wrote a fragment on the Constitution and Liberty in early 1861, shortly before the start of the Civil War, itself a political commentary on Proverbs 25:11. It reads:

"All this is not the result of accident. It has a philosophical cause. Without the Constitution and the Union, we could not have attained the result; but even these, are not the primary cause of our great prosperity. There is something back of these, entwining itself more closely about the human heart. That something, is the principle of ``Liberty to all'' ---the principle that clears the path for all---gives hope to all --- and, by consequence, enterprize, and industry to all.

The expression of that principle, in our Declaration of Independence, was most happy, and fortunate. Without this, as well as with it, we could have declared our independence of Great Britain; but without it, we could not, I think, have secured our free government, and consequent prosperity. No oppressed, people will fight, and endure, as our fathers did, without the promise of something better, than a mere change of masters.

The assertion of that principle, at that time, was the word, ``fitly spoken'' which has proved an ``apple of gold'' to us. The Union, and the Constitution, are the picture of silver, subsequently framed around it. The picture was made, not to conceal, or destroy the apple; but to adorn, and preserve it. The picture was made for the apple --- not the apple for the picture.

So let us act, that neither picture, or apple shall ever be blurred, or bruised or broken.

That we may so act, we must study, and understand the points of danger." [1]

What was the danger that Abraham Lincoln saw? He saw that some rebellious and unscrupulous people might wish to engage in a fallacious appeal to rights they did not possess that would seek to prevent the national government from having the authority over them so that they may defend their defective and tyrannical culture from the threats of freedom and liberty. He saw that some might seek to claim a constitutional right that was nonexistent in defiance of the goal of the Constitution and Union, to provide for the well being of all citizens. The danger was that some might seek to behave wickedly and rebelliously while cloaking their rebellion in the language of defending the same documents they sought to disobey. Lincoln was wise enough to see this danger, and recognizing the danger, he sought to either prevent it from taking place or to expose and overcome the danger, as he (by the grace of God) was able to do.

In light of the fact that Proverbs 25:11-12 is a very useful text in understanding the power and purpose of words, let us turn to it and examine what it says, as well as shed some light on the relationship between these two verses and other related verses on rebuke. As this is supposed to be a short (meaning, by my standards, short of book length) commentary, it will not include a cross reference to every noteworthy verse, but will hopefully provide a sufficient context to itself be a word fitly spoken in a similar situation to that faced by Lincoln in early 1861.

A Short Commentary On Proverbs 25:11-12

In the New King James Version, Proverbs 25:11-12 reads as follows: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear." This verse is one of the more eloquent proverbs on the beauty of appropriate language. However, if one merely quotes the first verse of the passage, one might not be fully aware of what a word fitly spoken is referring to. One might think that such fit words were only flattering or complementary. It is the second verse that provides the important context that fit words include words of instruction and rebuke. It should be noted, that as wise rebuke to an obedient ear is compared to fine gold, that it is even more precious and valuable than fit words in more normal circumstances, just as fine gold is more precious and valuable than silver.

Since rebuke is itself a type of fit word, or proper communication, let us examine the two elements that are particularly praised by Solomon in this passage. What makes rebuke fit communication is that it come from a wise rebuker and that it be heard by an obedient ear. Both elements are necessary in order for the rebuke to have a beautiful result. A wise rebuker will communicate his (or her) rebuke based on the scripture of God, seeking the repentance and restoration of the hearer. The goal will not be personal glory or ambition, but rather the spiritual well-being of the listener. Likewise, an obedient ear will hear in the wise rebuke not an arrogant and prideful self-righteous attitude but an attitude of loving concern and a desire for restoration and peace. An obedient ear will repent if they hear how they have fallen short of the biblical standard of behavior, and will not be hostile towards the messenger who gives them the gracious rebuke from God. To put it bluntly--a wise rebuker will speak as if he is speaking to an obedient ear, and an obedient ear will hear more wisdom in the rebuker than perhaps was present. Both will give each other the benefit of the doubt.

The Context Proverbs 25:11-12 Provides To Other Passages

Indeed, these two short verses provide an excellent context to other verses that similarly speak of rebuke. In order to keep this note to a manageable length, let us examine a few related passages and how these verses shed a light on what is being said. By so doing, we will see what is required of a wise rebuker, and what sort of behavior represents being an obedient ear.

As it happens, this verse shed some light on a popular passage in the next chapter of Proverbs. In Proverbs 26:4-5, we read: "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes." How are we to determine which fools to answer according to their folly. Part of the answer is given by Proverbs 25:11-12. For one, we must be a wise enough rebuker not to fall into folly ourselves, thus defeating the purpose of our speech, and likely making a bad situation worse. However, judging a fool as an obedient ear, despite their folly, impels us to answer them according to their folly so that they do not become wise in their own eyes and hardened against the wisdom of God. We may misjudge our wisdom, thinking more highly than we ought about our own maturity or intellect. Alternatively, we may mistakenly believe that we are speaking to an obedient ear when we are speaking (as Lincoln was in early 1861) to a foolish heart hardened in rebellion, to whom no godly rebuke could reach because we are dismissed entirely as being too biased to provide any wisdom to them. We must, as Lincoln did, make a good faith effort and appeal to heaven for His will, and not ours, to be done.

When we give a wise rebuke to an obedient heart, the response is like that of David in Psalm 141:5: "Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked." David, a man after God's own heart, was rebuked many times in his life (by godly prophets such as Nathan), sometimes for very serious sins. However, this psalm demonstrates that he always maintained an obedient heart, which considered the rebuke of the (comparatively) righteous as an excellent oil, which served to his benefit (even so much as to be seen as a kindness, rather than an attack). An obedient heart will see rebuke as being to its ultimate spiritual benefit, and so will react to it with appreciation, seeing in the rebuke the still small voice of God warning one about falling short before judgment comes. Who would rather reject a rebuke and instead possibly face far worse judgment from God?

Unfortunately, not all hearts are obedient, and not all hearts will accept rebuke. Therefore, in Matthew 7:6, as Jesus is speaking about the even standard of judgment we should apply, he offers the following warning: "Do not give what is holy to the dogs nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." Again, we must be able to judge what kind of heart we are speaking to. A rebuke to a heart that is hostile and rebellious against God will enrage them and cause them to turn on you and attack you rather than cause them to turn to God in humble repentance. They will see a call to repentance as a request for abject surrender, which they in their pride are unwilling to submit themselves to, because they are not in reality God's people, but rather on the side of Satan. Therefore, those who rebuke those who are hardened in hostility to God's way can expect attacks and hostility for their good deeds of providing to an unwilling audience the pearls of wisdom they possess. Evil will be returned for good by those who have succumbed to presumptuous evil.

A Biblical Application of Wise Rebuke To (Barely) Obedient Ears

In light of the above passages which serve to expand the wisdom and benefit and value of godly rebuke, let us now briefly examine an example in the preaching of the Apostle Paul when he gave the brethren of Corinth a choice between harsh discipline and loving peace, which would be determined by their own response to his visit to them. This situation is presented by 2 Corinthians 13. Indeed, it is easy and pleasant to quote 2 Corinthians 13:11, which states: "Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."

Nonetheless, while not disregarding this desire for love and peace, we must appreciate the context of this gracious blessing. It is in the context of a promised visit where Paul promises harsh discipline to those who are rebellious against his ordained authority. Indeed, in 2 Corinthians 13:2-3, he states: "I have told you before, and foretell it as if i were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare--since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me who is not weak towards you, but mighty in you." Shortly thereafter, Paul tells them the following, in verses 5 and 6: "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourself, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified."

What does this mean? The brethren of Corinth, like some disobedient brethren today, mistook the gentleness of Paul for weakness. In light of this rebellious behavior, Paul promises them that he will not spare if he sees them act rebelliously when he comes, and that their response to him--whether they accept him with hospitality or react in a hostile manner towards him--will show whether they are disqualified for the Kingdom of God or not. This sort of behavior is not a light or laughing matter--the rejection of an emissary of God is tantamount to a rejection of God's authority and leads to disqualification for the Kingdom of God. We have seen such behavior in Latin America--and among others who are unwilling to see the rebelliousness in their own hearts even as they speak evil of godly leaders who seek the good for the people of God as a whole, and who despite their human limitations act in good faith and receive abuse and attacks for their good deeds.

Conclusion: A Present Application of The Choice of Peace Or Discipline

Just as Paul promised not to spare those who persisted in rebellion, confusing his desire for peace for weakness and a lack of firmness in defending the truth, there have been many who have confused the gentleness of Messrs. Luker and Holliday for weakness, as well as the majority of the Council of Elders. In his excellent opening message to the church, Mr. Luker promised to deal with those who persisted in rebellion, and so he will. He will do no more and no less than the example of the Apostle Paul in Corinth--he will seek peace with those who are willing to accept the authority of God through His servants, and he will not spare (as God will not spare) those who are hardened in rebellion and hostile to the wise rebuke God has provided them through people great and small, important and obscure, elderly and young. Whether any of us is an obedient heart or an unclean pig or dog depends on how we respond to godly rebuke. Since God rebukes and chastens every son He receives, the fact that we receive rebuke is a sign that God is working with us. It is our response to that rebuke that determines whether we are serving Him, or rather seeking to serve ourselves. Let us all therefore examine ourselves continually, to see where we will stand when we must all face our King in judgment.

[1] Lincoln, Abraham. The Collected Words of Abraham Lincoln, Volume 4. (Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Digital Library Production Services
2001) 168-169.