◄ Proverbs 24:1 ►
Do not envy wicked men or desire their company;
Study Bible
Do not envy
The Hebrew root for "envy" is "קָנָא" (qanah), which conveys a sense of jealousy or zeal. In the biblical context, envy is often seen as a destructive emotion that can lead to sin. The command here is a caution against allowing one's heart to be consumed by a longing for what others possess, especially when those others are not living according to God's ways. Envy can distort our perception, making us desire what is ultimately harmful. The wisdom literature consistently warns against envy, as it can lead to strife and discontentment, drawing us away from the peace and contentment found in a life aligned with God's will.

wicked men
The term "wicked" in Hebrew is "רָשָׁע" (rasha), which refers to those who are morally wrong, guilty, or ungodly. In the context of Proverbs, "wicked men" are those who live in opposition to God's commandments and principles. Historically, the Israelites were surrounded by nations and individuals who did not follow Yahweh, and the temptation to adopt their practices or admire their apparent success was real. The Bible consistently portrays the wicked as ultimately facing God's judgment, despite any temporary prosperity they might enjoy. This serves as a reminder that true success and blessing come from righteousness and obedience to God.

or desire
The Hebrew word for "desire" is "בָּחַר" (bachar), which means to choose or prefer. This phrase warns against the inclination to prefer the lifestyle or companionship of those who do not follow God's ways. Desiring what the wicked have or their way of life can lead to compromising one's values and faith. The Bible encourages believers to set their desires on things above, aligning their hearts with God's purposes and seeking His kingdom first. This aligns with the New Testament teaching found in Colossians 3:2, which urges believers to set their minds on things above, not on earthly things.

their company
The Hebrew word for "company" is "אֵת" (eth), which can mean companionship or association. The warning here is against forming close associations with those who live contrary to God's laws. In the ancient world, as today, the company one keeps can greatly influence one's values and actions. The Bible frequently advises believers to choose their companions wisely, as bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). This is not a call to isolation but a reminder to be discerning about the influences we allow into our lives, ensuring they align with our commitment to God and His righteousness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Wicked Men
In the context of Proverbs, "wicked men" refers to those who live in opposition to God's commandments and pursue unrighteousness. They are often characterized by deceit, violence, and a lack of moral integrity.

2. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. His teachings often contrast the ways of the wise with the ways of the foolish or wicked.

3. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.
Teaching Points
Guard Your Heart Against Envy
Envy can lead us away from God's path. We must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against the temptation to desire what the wicked have, recognizing that their success is fleeting.

Choose Your Companions Wisely
The company we keep influences our character and decisions. We should seek relationships that encourage us in righteousness and align with God's will.

Trust in God's Justice
While the wicked may seem to prosper, we must trust in God's ultimate justice. Their apparent success is temporary, and God's judgment is sure.

Focus on Eternal Values
Instead of envying temporary gains, focus on eternal values and treasures in heaven. This perspective helps us maintain a godly outlook and priorities.

Reflect Christ in Your Relationships
As followers of Christ, our relationships should reflect His love and righteousness. We should be a light to others, drawing them towards God's truth.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some characteristics of "wicked men" as described in Proverbs and other parts of the Bible?

2. How can we practically guard our hearts against envy in a world that often glorifies the success of the wicked?

3. In what ways can the company we keep influence our spiritual walk, and how can we ensure our relationships honor God?

4. How does trusting in God's justice help us deal with feelings of envy or injustice we may encounter?

5. What are some practical steps we can take to focus on eternal values rather than temporary successes? How can other scriptures support these steps?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 37:1-2
This passage also advises against envying the wicked, emphasizing that they will soon fade away. It reinforces the idea that the prosperity of the wicked is temporary.

Proverbs 3:31
This verse similarly warns against envying a violent man and choosing any of his ways, highlighting the importance of discerning the character of those we associate with.

1 Corinthians 15:33
This New Testament verse warns that bad company corrupts good character, aligning with the caution against desiring the company of the wicked.
Sermons
Evil Men not to be EnviedR. Wardlaw, D.D.Proverbs 24:1
Warning Against Evil CompanyE. Johnson Proverbs 24:1, 2
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Company, Desire, Envious, Envy, Evil, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 24:1

     8733   envy

Proverbs 24:1-2

     5550   speech, negative
     5817   conspiracies

Library
The Sluggard's Garden
'I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31. And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.'--PROVERBS xxiv. 30, 31. This picture of the sluggard's garden seems to be intended as a parable. No doubt its direct simple meaning is full of homely wisdom in full accord with the whole tone of the Book of Proverbs; but we shall scarcely do justice to this saying of the wise …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Broken Fence
A sermon (No. 3381) published on Thursday, November 20th 1913. Delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and to, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down, Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received instruction."--Proverbs 24:30-32. This slothful man did no hurt to his fellow-men: …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Sluggard's Farm
A sermon (No. 2027) intended for reading on Lord's Day, June 3rd 1888, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction."--Proverbs 24:30-32. No doubt Solomon was sometimes glad …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Epistle xxxvi. To Maximus, Bishop of Salona .
To Maximus, Bishop of Salona [113] . Gregory to Maximus, &c. When our common son the presbyter Veteranus came to the Roman city, he found me so weak from the pains of gout as to be quite unable to answer thy Fraternity's letters myself. And indeed with regard to the nation of the Sclaves [114] , from which you are in great danger, I am exceedingly afflicted and disturbed. I am afflicted as suffering already in your suffering: I am disturbed, because they have already begun to enter Italy by way …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Portrait of a Drunkyard
'Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30. They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34. Yea, thou shalt be as …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

2 Cor. Iii. 5
Not that we are sufficient of our selves, to think any thing as of our selves: but our Sufficiency is of God. IN my former Discourse upon these Words, I shewed you that it was the sole Design of St. Paul in them, to declare, that, in the setting about, and executing, the difficult and laborious Work of an Apostle, He did not arrogate to himself the Power, and Ability, and Success, which he had: but that he ascribed his Sufficiency for this great Work, as well as his being designed to it, to God himself, …
Benjamin Hoadly—Several Discourses Concerning the Terms of Acceptance with God

How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out-Breakings Away.
The next part of our sanctification is in reference to our daily failings and transgressions, committed partly through the violence of temptations, as we see in David and Peter, and other eminent men of God; partly through daily infirmities, because of our weakness and imperfections; for, "in many things we offend all," James iii. 2; and, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; "a righteous man falleth seven times," Prov. xxiv. 16; "there is not …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Necessity of Actual Grace
In treating of the necessity of actual grace we must avoid two extremes. The first is that mere nature is absolutely incapable of doing any thing good. This error was held by the early Protestants and the followers of Baius and Jansenius. The second is that nature is able to perform supernatural acts by its own power. This was taught by the Pelagians and Semipelagians. Between these two extremes Catholic theology keeps the golden mean. It defends the capacity of human nature against Protestants and …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the Practice of Piety.
Those hindrances are chiefly seven:-- I. An ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The Scriptures mistaken are these: 1. Ezek. xxxiii. 14, 16, "At what time soever a sinner repenteth him of his sin, I will blot out all," &c. Hence the carnal Christian gathers, that he may repent when he will. It is true, whensoever a sinner does repent, God will forgive; but the text saith not, that a sinner may repent whensoever …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

A Treatise on Good Works
I. We ought first to know that there are no good works except those which God has commanded, even as there is no sin except that which God has forbidden. Therefore whoever wishes to know and to do good works needs nothing else than to know God's commandments. Thus Christ says, Matthew xix, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." And when the young man asks Him, Matthew xix, what he shall do that he may inherit eternal life, Christ sets before him naught else but the Ten Commandments. …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

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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