◄ Proverbs 13:18 ►
Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline, but whoever heeds correction is honored.
Study Bible
Poverty and shame come to him who ignores discipline
This phrase highlights the consequences of neglecting discipline, a recurring theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible. In the ancient Near Eastern context, discipline was not only about punishment but also about instruction and guidance. The Hebrew word for "discipline" can also mean "instruction" or "correction," emphasizing the importance of learning and growth. Ignoring discipline leads to poverty and shame, which can be understood both materially and spiritually. Material poverty was a significant concern in ancient Israel, where wealth was often seen as a sign of God's blessing. Shame, on the other hand, was a social and spiritual condition that affected one's standing in the community and relationship with God. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as Proverbs 12:1, which states that those who hate correction are "stupid," and Hebrews 12:11, which speaks of the peaceful fruit of righteousness that comes from being trained by discipline.

but whoever heeds correction is honored
In contrast, this phrase promises honor to those who accept correction. The biblical concept of honor involves both respect from others and a right standing before God. Heeding correction is a sign of wisdom and humility, qualities highly valued in the biblical tradition. This idea is supported by Proverbs 15:31-33, which links listening to life-giving reproof with wisdom and humility leading to honor. The cultural context of honor and shame in the ancient world underscores the importance of community and reputation. Accepting correction not only improves personal character but also enhances one's reputation and standing within the community. This principle is also seen in the life of Jesus Christ, who, though sinless, submitted to the will of the Father and accepted the path of suffering and correction for the sake of humanity, ultimately being honored through His resurrection and exaltation (Philippians 2:8-9).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God.

2. The Wise and the Foolish
Throughout Proverbs, these two archetypes are used to contrast those who live according to God's wisdom and those who reject it.

3. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Ignoring Discipline
Ignoring discipline leads to poverty and shame, both spiritually and materially. This is a warning against pride and stubbornness.

The Honor in Heeding Correction
Accepting correction is a sign of humility and wisdom. It leads to honor and growth in character.

The Role of Community in Discipline
Being part of a community that values accountability can help us stay on the path of wisdom and avoid the pitfalls of ignoring discipline.

The Importance of Self-Reflection
Regular self-examination in light of Scripture helps us identify areas where we need to accept correction and grow.

God's Loving Discipline
Understanding that God's discipline is an expression of His love can help us embrace correction rather than resist it.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of discipline in Proverbs 13:18 relate to the broader theme of wisdom in the book of Proverbs?

2. In what ways can ignoring discipline lead to "poverty and shame" in our modern context?

3. How can we cultivate a heart that is open to correction and willing to change?

4. What role does community play in helping us heed correction, and how can we actively participate in such a community?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's discipline. How did it lead to growth and honor in your life? How does this experience connect with Hebrews 12:11?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 12:1
This verse emphasizes the importance of loving discipline and knowledge, reinforcing the idea that ignoring correction leads to folly.

Hebrews 12:11
This New Testament passage discusses the value of discipline, noting that while it may be painful, it ultimately yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

James 1:22-25
These verses encourage believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers, which aligns with the idea of heeding correction and applying wisdom.
Sermons
Accepting ReproofT. G. Cuyler.Proverbs 13:18
The Wisdom of Docility, Etc.: a Sermon to the YoungW. Clarkson Proverbs 13:1, 13, 18
The Blessings of Obedience and Their CounterpartE. Johnson Proverbs 13:18-25
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Correction, Discipline, Disgrace, Fate, Heeds, Honored, Honoured, Ignores, Instruction, Neglects, Note, Observing, Poverty, Refuses, Refuseth, Refusing, Regardeth, Regards, Reproof, Shame, Takes, Teaching, Training, Uncontrolled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 13:18

     5398   loss
     5447   poverty, causes
     5777   admonition
     5856   extravagance
     5885   indifference

Proverbs 13:15-22

     6024   sin, effects of

Library
The Tillage of the Poor
'Much food is in the tillage of the poor.'--PROVERBS xiii. 23. Palestine was a land of small peasant proprietors, and the institution of the Jubilee was intended to prevent the acquisition of large estates by any Israelite. The consequence, as intended, was a level of modest prosperity. It was 'the tillage of the poor,' the careful, diligent husbandry of the man who had only a little patch of land to look after, that filled the storehouses of the Holy Land. Hence the proverb of our text arose. It …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Poor Rich and the Rich Poor
'There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.'--PROVERBS xiii. 7. Two singularly-contrasted characters are set in opposition here. One, that of a man who lives like a millionaire and is a pauper; another, that of a man who lives like a pauper and is rich. The latter character, that of a man who hides and hoards his wealth, was, perhaps, more common in the days when this collection of Proverbs was put together, because in all ill-governed …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Practical Methods of Studying the Old Testament
[Sidenote: The various methods of approach] The Old Testament may be studied as literature, as history, as the record of an important stage in the evolution of religion, as the revelation of God to the race, or as a practical aid to the individual in living the true life. Each angle of approach calls for different methods and yields its correspondingly rich results. Studied in accordance with the canons of modern literary investigation, a literature is disclosed of surpassing variety, beauty, and …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Song of the Redeemed
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou ... hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation ... T he extent, variety, and order of the creation, proclaim the glory of God. He is likewise, ^* Maximus in Minimis . The smallest of the works, that we are capable of examining, such for instance as the eye or the wing of a little insect, the creature of a day, are stamped with an inimitable impression of His wisdom and power. Thus in His written Word, there …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

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

"And this is his Commandment," &C.
1 John iii. 23.--"And this is his commandment," &c. There are different tempers of mind among men, some more smooth and pliable, others more refractory and froward. Some may be persuaded by love, who cannot be constrained by fear. With some a request will more prevail than a command. Others again are of a harsher disposition. Love and condescension doth rather embolden them, and therefore they must be restrained with the bridle of authority. It would seem that the Lord hath some regard to this in …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Second Sunday after Easter
Text: First Peter 2, 20-25. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance.
The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness, occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall, 1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory Not," &C.
James iii. 14.--"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not," &c. It is a common evil of those who hear the gospel, that they are not delivered up to the mould and frame of religion that is holden out in it, but rather bring religion into a mould of their own invention. It was the special commendation of the Romans, that they obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine into which they were delivered, (Rom. vi. 17) that they who were once servants, or slaves of sin, had now …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"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

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

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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