The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. The plans of the diligentThe phrase "The plans of the diligent" emphasizes the importance of careful and thoughtful preparation. The Hebrew word for "plans" is "maḥăšāḇôṯ," which implies a sense of intention and design. This suggests that success is not a matter of chance but of deliberate and strategic planning. The word "diligent" is translated from the Hebrew "ḥārûṣ," which conveys a sense of sharpness, decisiveness, and industriousness. In a biblical context, diligence is often associated with wisdom and righteousness, as seen in Proverbs 10:4, which contrasts the diligent with the lazy. Historically, the culture of ancient Israel valued hard work and perseverance, reflecting a belief that God blesses those who are committed and industrious in their endeavors. lead surely to abundance
The phrase "lead surely to abundance" indicates a promise of prosperity and success as a result of diligent planning. The Hebrew word for "lead" is "tôwḏ," which implies a sense of guidance and direction. "Surely" is translated from "’aḵ," emphasizing certainty and assurance. "Abundance" comes from the Hebrew "yôṯer," which means plenty or surplus. This reflects a biblical principle that God rewards those who are faithful and diligent with material and spiritual blessings. The historical context of ancient Israel, an agrarian society, would have understood abundance in terms of plentiful harvests and prosperity, reinforcing the idea that careful planning and hard work lead to God's provision. but everyone who is hasty
The phrase "but everyone who is hasty" serves as a warning against impulsiveness and rash decisions. The Hebrew word for "hasty" is "’āṣ," which suggests acting quickly without careful thought or consideration. This contrasts with the earlier emphasis on diligence and planning. In the biblical narrative, haste is often associated with folly and poor judgment, as seen in the account of Esau selling his birthright for a meal in Genesis 25:29-34. The historical context of the ancient Near East, where decisions could have significant consequences for survival and prosperity, underscores the importance of thoughtful deliberation. comes surely to poverty
The phrase "comes surely to poverty" highlights the inevitable outcome of hasty actions. The Hebrew word for "comes" is "bôw’," indicating arrival or occurrence. "Surely" again emphasizes certainty, while "poverty" is translated from "maḥsôr," meaning lack or need. This serves as a stark warning that impulsive decisions lead to negative consequences, both materially and spiritually. In the scriptural context, poverty is often seen as a result of foolishness and a lack of wisdom, as illustrated in Proverbs 6:10-11, which warns that laziness leads to poverty. The historical context of ancient Israel, where community and family support were crucial, would have viewed poverty as a serious and undesirable state, reinforcing the need for careful planning and diligence. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights into human behavior and godly living are captured in the book of Proverbs. 2. IsraelThe cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and guiding the community in righteous living. 3. The DiligentThis refers to individuals who are careful, persistent, and hardworking in their endeavors, embodying a key virtue in biblical wisdom literature. 4. The HastyThose who act with undue speed or without careful thought, often leading to negative consequences, as highlighted in this proverb. 5. PovertyA state of lacking material wealth, often used in Proverbs to illustrate the consequences of foolish or unwise actions. Teaching Points The Value of DiligenceDiligence is a virtue that leads to abundance and success. It requires consistent effort and careful planning. The Danger of HasteActing hastily without proper planning can lead to poor outcomes and poverty. It is important to take time to consider and plan our actions. Biblical Wisdom in PlanningThe Bible encourages us to seek wisdom and guidance from God in our planning, ensuring our efforts align with His will. Practical Steps for DiligenceSet clear goals, create actionable plans, and remain committed to following through with perseverance. Trusting God with the OutcomeWhile diligence is important, we must also trust God with the results, knowing that He ultimately provides and sustains. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of diligence in Proverbs 21:5 compare to modern views on work ethic and success? 2. In what areas of your life do you find yourself acting hastily, and how can you apply the principle of diligence to improve these areas? 3. Reflect on a time when careful planning led to a successful outcome. How did this experience align with the teachings of Proverbs 21:5? 4. How can you incorporate prayer and seeking God's wisdom into your planning process, as suggested by James 1:5? 5. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure that your plans are diligent and aligned with biblical principles? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 10:4This verse also contrasts diligence with laziness, emphasizing that diligent hands bring wealth, while laziness leads to poverty. Proverbs 13:4It highlights the desires of the diligent being satisfied, while the lazy remain unfulfilled, reinforcing the theme of hard work leading to prosperity. Ecclesiastes 5:3This verse connects to the idea of diligent planning, suggesting that dreams come through much effort, while foolishness is associated with many words. James 1:5While not directly about diligence, this verse encourages seeking wisdom from God, which is essential for making diligent and wise plans. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Abundance, Acting, Advantage, Diligent, Haste, Hasteth, Hasty, Industry, Lead, Leads, Outcome, Over-quick, Plans, Plenteousness, Poverty, Profit, Purposes, Rushes, Surely, Tend, Thoughts, WealthDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 21:5 5447 poverty, causes
5465 profit
5833 diligence
5883 impatience
5917 plans
5925 rashness Library Definition of Actual Grace
1. GENERAL NOTION OF GRACE.--The best way to arrive at a correct definition of actual grace is by the synthetic method. We therefore begin with the general notion of grace. Like "nature,"(3) grace (gratia, {GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is a word of wide reach, used in a great variety of senses. Habert(4) enumerates no less than fourteen; which, however, may be reduced to four. a) Subjectively, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and HabitualEpistle xxi. To Constantina Augusta .
To Constantina Augusta [1593] . Gregory to Constantina, &c. Almighty God, who holds in His right hand the heart of your Piety, both protects us through you and prepares for you rewards of eternal remuneration for temporal deeds. For I have learnt from the letters of the deacon Sabinianus my responsalis with what justice your Serenity is interested in the cause of the blessed Prince of the apostles Peter against certain persons who are proudly humble and feignedly kind. And I trust in the bounty …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Epistle Cvi. To Syagrius, Ætherius, virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops .
To Syagrius, Ætherius, Virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops [65] . Gregory to Syagrius of Augustodunum (Autun), Etherius of Lugdunum (Lyons), Virgilius of Aretale (Arles), and Desiderius of Vienna (Vienne), bishops of Gaul. A paribus. Our Head, which is Christ, has to this end willed us to be His members, that through the bond of charity and faith He might make us one body in Himself. And to Him it befits us so to adhere in heart, that, since without Him we can be nothing, through Him we may …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others, but Keep their Own; and those who Give of their Own, yet Seize
(Admonition 22.) Differently to be admonished are those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own, and those who give of what they have, and yet desist not from seizing on what belongs to others. Those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own are to be admonished to consider carefully that the earth out of which they are taken is common to all men, and therefore brings forth nourishment for all in common. Vainly, then, do those suppose …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great 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 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 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 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. Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 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 Links Proverbs 21:5 NIVProverbs 21:5 NLTProverbs 21:5 ESVProverbs 21:5 NASBProverbs 21:5 KJV
Proverbs 21:5 Commentaries
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