◄ Proverbs 10:16 ►
The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the gain of the wicked brings punishment.
Study Bible
The labor of the righteous leads to life
This phrase emphasizes the principle that the efforts and work of those who live according to God's standards result in life, both in a spiritual and practical sense. Biblically, "life" often refers to a state of blessing, prosperity, and eternal life. In the context of Proverbs, it suggests that righteous living aligns with God's wisdom, leading to a fulfilling and meaningful existence. This is echoed in Psalm 1:3, where the righteous are likened to a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in season. The concept of labor here is not just physical work but encompasses all actions and decisions made in accordance with God's will. Historically, the Israelites understood that obedience to God's commandments brought blessings, as seen in Deuteronomy 28. This phrase also foreshadows the New Testament teaching that faith without works is dead (James 2:26), highlighting the importance of righteous actions as evidence of genuine faith.

but the gain of the wicked brings punishment
In contrast, this phrase warns that the profits or benefits obtained through wickedness ultimately lead to punishment. The term "gain" implies that the wicked may experience temporary success or prosperity, but it is fleeting and ultimately results in negative consequences. This reflects the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8, where those who sow to please their sinful nature will reap destruction. The historical context of ancient Israel included a strong belief in divine justice, where God would eventually punish the wicked, as illustrated in the stories of figures like Achan (Joshua 7) and Haman (Esther 7). Culturally, this understanding reinforced the community's commitment to righteousness and deterred individuals from engaging in sinful behavior. Theologically, this phrase underscores the ultimate justice of God, who will judge the wicked, as seen in Revelation 20:12-15. It also points to the necessity of repentance and redemption through Christ, who bore the punishment for sin, offering life to those who believe in Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Righteous
In the context of Proverbs, the "righteous" refers to those who live in accordance with God's laws and principles. They are characterized by integrity, honesty, and a commitment to doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

2. Wicked
The "wicked" are those who live contrary to God's commands. They are often depicted as deceitful, unjust, and self-serving, seeking personal gain at the expense of others.

3. Life
In Hebrew, the word for "life" (chayyim) often implies not just physical life but a quality of life that includes spiritual well-being and prosperity under God's favor.

4. Punishment
The term used here can also be understood as "sin" or "iniquity" (avon), indicating the consequences or the inherent nature of the wicked's actions leading to their downfall.
Teaching Points
The Value of Righteous Labor
Righteous labor is not just about working hard but working in alignment with God's principles. It leads to a life that is fulfilling and blessed by God.

The Consequences of Wicked Gain
Pursuing gain through wicked means may offer temporary success but ultimately leads to punishment and spiritual death.

The Eternal Perspective
Our actions have eternal consequences. Living righteously aligns us with God's eternal purposes, while wickedness separates us from His blessings.

Integrity in Daily Life
Practicing integrity in our daily tasks, whether at work or in personal relationships, reflects our commitment to righteousness and leads to a life of peace and fulfillment.

Trust in God's Justice
Trust that God sees and rewards righteous living, even when immediate results are not visible. His justice will prevail in due time.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of "life" in Proverbs 10:16 relate to both physical and spiritual well-being?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our labor is considered "righteous" in the eyes of God?

3. Reflect on a time when you witnessed or experienced the consequences of "wicked gain." What lessons were learned?

4. How can the principle of sowing and reaping, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8, be applied to our daily decision-making?

5. What steps can you take to cultivate integrity in your work and personal life, ensuring that your actions lead to life rather than punishment?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 11:18
This verse contrasts the deceptive wages of the wicked with the sure reward of the righteous, reinforcing the idea that true gain comes from righteousness.

Romans 6:23
This New Testament verse echoes the theme of Proverbs 10:16 by contrasting the wages of sin, which is death, with the gift of God, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Galatians 6:7-8
These verses discuss the principle of sowing and reaping, emphasizing that those who sow to please the Spirit will reap eternal life, while those who sow to please the flesh will reap destruction.
Sermons
The Service of Speech, EtcW. Clarkson Proverbs 10:8, 10, 11, 14, 18-21, 31, 32
A Sevenfold Strain of ExperienceE. Johnson Proverbs 10:15-21
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Bring, Brings, Cause, Evil-doer, Fruit, Gain, Gives, Income, Increase, Labor, Labour, Leads, Punishment, Revenue, Righteous, Sin, Tendeth, Upright, Wage, Wages, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 10:16

     5203   acquittal
     5481   proverb
     5522   servants, work conditions
     5603   wages
     7150   righteous, the
     8158   righteousness, of believers
     8812   riches, ungodly use

Library
The Two-Fold Aspect of the Divine Working
'The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.'--PROVERBS x. 29. You observe that the words 'shall be,' in the last clause, are a supplement. They are quite unnecessary, and in fact they rather hinder the sense. They destroy the completeness of the antithesis between the two halves of the verse. If you leave them out, and suppose that the 'way of the Lord' is what is spoken of in both clauses, you get a far deeper and fuller meaning. 'The way …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
"He that uttereth slander is a fool."--Prov. x. 18. General declamations against vice and sin are indeed excellently useful, as rousing men to consider and look about them: but they do often want effect, because they only raise confused apprehensions of things, and indeterminate propensions to action; which usually, before men thoroughly perceive or resolve what they should practise, do decay and vanish. As he that cries out "Fire!" doth stir up people, and inspireth them with a kind of hovering …
Isaac Barrow—Sermons on Evil-Speaking, by Isaac Barrow

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
"He that uttereth slander is a fool."--Prov. x. 18. I have formerly in this place, discoursing upon this text, explained the nature of the sin here condemned, with its several kinds and ways of practising. II. I shall now proceed to declare the folly of it; and to make good by divers reasons the assertion of the wise man, that "He who uttereth slander is a fool." 1. Slandering is foolish, as sinful and wicked. All sin is foolish upon many accounts; as proceeding from ignorance, error, inconsiderateness, …
Isaac Barrow—Sermons on Evil-Speaking, by Isaac Barrow

Sanctions of Moral Law, Natural and Governmental.
In the discussion of this subject, I shall show-- I. What constitute the sanctions of law. 1. The sanctions of law are the motives to obedience, the natural and the governmental consequences or results of obedience and of disobedience. 2. They are remuneratory, that is, they promise reward to obedience. 3. They are vindicatory, that is, they threaten the disobedient with punishment. 4. They are natural, that is, happiness is to some extent naturally connected with, and the necessary consequence of, …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR As the tree is known by its fruit, so is the state of a man's heart known by his desires. The desires of the righteous are the touchstone or standard of Christian sincerity--the evidence of the new birth--the spiritual barometer of faith and grace--and the springs of obedience. Christ and him crucified is the ground of all our hopes--the foundation upon which all our desires after God and holiness are built--and the root …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Lii. Trust in God.
15th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. vi. 31. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness." INTRODUCTION.--We read in ancient Roman history that a general named Aemilius Paulus was appointed to the Roman army in a time of war and great apprehension. He found in the army a sad condition of affairs, there were more officers than fighting men, and all these officers wanted to have their advice taken, and the war conducted in accordance with their several opinions. Then Aemilius Paulus …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

The Death and the Raising of Lazarus - the Question of Miracles and of this Miracle of Miracles - views of Negative Criticism on this History
From listening to the teaching of Christ, we turn once more to follow His working. It will be remembered, that the visit to Bethany divides the period from the Feast of the Dedication to the last Paschal week into two parts. It also forms the prelude and preparation for the awful events of the End. For, it was on that occasion that the members of the Sanhedrin formally resolved on His Death. It now only remained to settle and carry out the plans for giving effect to their purpose. This is one aspect …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Christian's Hope
Scripture references: 1 Timothy 1:1; Colossians 1:27; Psalm 130:5; 43:5; Proverbs 10:8; Acts 24:15; Psalm 71:5; Romans 5:1-5; 12:12; 15:4; 1 Corinthians 9:10; Galatians 5:5; Ephesians 1:18; Philippians 1:20; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2:19; Titus 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; Psalm 31:24; 71:14,15. HOPE IN THE PRESENT LIFE That which a man ardently hopes for he strives to realize. If he desires fame, office or wealth he will seek to set forces in motion, here and now, which will bring him that which …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Letter xxxi (A. D. 1132) to the Abbot of a Certain Monastery at York, from which the Prior had Departed, Taking Several Religious with Him.
To the Abbot of a Certain Monastery at York, from Which the Prior Had Departed, Taking Several Religious with Him. [50] 1. You write to me from beyond the sea to ask of me advice which I should have preferred that you had sought from some other. I am held between two difficulties, for if I do not reply to you, you may take my silence for a sign of contempt; but if I do reply I cannot avoid danger, since whatever I reply I must of necessity either give scandal to some one or give to some other a security …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 Here is high preferment for the saints. They shall be advanced to a kingdom. There are some who, aspiring after earthly greatness, talk of a temporal reign here, but then God's church on earth would not be militant but triumphant. But sure it is the saints shall reign in a glorious manner: Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.' A kingdom is held the acme and top of all worldly felicity, and this honour have all the saints'; so says our Saviour, Theirs is the …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

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

How the Simple and the Crafty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 12.) Differently to be admonished are the simple and the insincere. The simple are to be praised for studying never to say what is false, but to be admonished to know how sometimes to be silent about what is true. For, as falsehood has always harmed him that speaks it, so sometimes the hearing of truth has done harm to some. Wherefore the Lord before His disciples, tempering His speech with silence, says, I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now (Joh. xvi. 12). …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Letter xv (Circa A. D. 1129) to Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin
To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin He praises the fatherly gentleness of Alvisus towards Godwin. He excuses himself, and asks pardon for having admitted him. To Alvisus, Abbot of Anchin. [18] 1. May God render to you the same mercy which you have shown towards your holy son Godwin. I know that at the news of his death you showed yourself unmindful of old complaints, and remembering only your friendship for him, behaved with kindness, not resentment, and putting aside the character of judge, showed yourself …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
^A Matt. XII. 15-21; ^B Mark III. 7-12. ^a 15 And Jesus perceiving it withdrew ^b with his disciples ^a from thence: ^b to the sea [This was the first withdrawal of Jesus for the avowed purpose of self-preservation. After this we find Jesus constantly retiring to avoid the plots of his enemies. The Sea of Galilee, with its boats and its shores touching different jurisdictions, formed a convenient and fairly safe retreat]: ^a and many followed him; ^b and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. "
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glorious do they appear, and without spot! But behold, they are not clean in God's sight! How far are the angels above us who dwell in clay! They appear to be a pure mass of light and …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

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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