A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him. A rich manThe phrase "a rich man" in Proverbs 28:11 refers to an individual who possesses material wealth and resources. In the Hebrew context, the word for "rich" is "עָשִׁיר" (ashir), which denotes someone who has an abundance of possessions. Historically, wealth in biblical times was often measured by livestock, land, and precious metals. The Bible frequently addresses the spiritual dangers and responsibilities that accompany wealth, emphasizing that material riches can lead to pride and a false sense of security. In a conservative Christian perspective, wealth is seen as a blessing from God but also a test of character and stewardship. is wise in his own eyes
This phrase highlights the self-perception of the rich man, who believes himself to be wise due to his wealth. The Hebrew word for "wise" is "חָכָם" (chakam), which implies skill, shrewdness, or prudence. However, the addition of "in his own eyes" suggests a subjective and potentially flawed self-assessment. The Bible warns against self-deception and pride, as true wisdom comes from God and is not measured by earthly standards. In a conservative Christian view, this serves as a caution against equating financial success with spiritual insight or moral superiority. but a poor man
Contrasting the rich man, "a poor man" refers to someone lacking material wealth. The Hebrew term "רָשׁ" (rash) is used here, indicating poverty or neediness. In biblical times, the poor were often marginalized and vulnerable, yet the Scriptures frequently highlight God's concern for them and their potential for spiritual richness. From a conservative Christian perspective, poverty is not seen as a curse but as an opportunity for reliance on God and the development of virtues such as humility and faith. with discernment
The phrase "with discernment" refers to the ability to judge well and understand deeper truths. The Hebrew word "בִּין" (bin) conveys the idea of insight, understanding, or perception. This discernment is not based on material wealth but on spiritual insight and moral clarity. In the biblical context, discernment is a gift from God, enabling individuals to see beyond appearances and make wise decisions. Conservative Christianity values discernment as a crucial aspect of spiritual maturity and a means to navigate life's complexities according to God's will. sees through him
The concluding phrase "sees through him" suggests the ability of the poor man with discernment to perceive the true nature of the rich man. The Hebrew verb "חָקַר" (chaqar) means to search, examine, or investigate. This implies that true understanding is not hindered by external appearances or wealth. In a conservative Christian interpretation, this underscores the belief that God grants insight to those who seek Him, regardless of their social or economic status. It serves as a reminder that spiritual wisdom transcends material wealth and that God's truth is accessible to all who earnestly seek it. Persons / Places / Events 1. Rich ManRepresents individuals who possess wealth and often perceive themselves as wise due to their material success. 2. Poor ManSymbolizes those who may lack material wealth but possess discernment and insight. 3. SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom and understanding of human nature. 4. Ancient IsraelThe cultural and historical context in which the Proverbs were written, where wealth and wisdom were often discussed. 5. Wisdom LiteratureA genre of biblical writing that includes Proverbs, focusing on practical and moral teachings. Teaching Points True Wisdom vs. Self-Perceived WisdomTrue wisdom is not measured by wealth but by discernment and understanding. Self-perceived wisdom can lead to pride and blindness to one's own faults. The Value of DiscernmentDiscernment allows individuals to see beyond superficial appearances and recognize true character. Spiritual insight is a gift that surpasses material wealth. Humility and Openness to CorrectionWealth can lead to a false sense of security and self-sufficiency. Humility opens the heart to correction and growth in wisdom. God’s Perspective on Wealth and WisdomGod values the heart and character over material possessions. Spiritual richness is prioritized in God’s kingdom. Practical Living and RelationshipsEvaluate relationships and decisions based on discernment rather than material gain. Seek wisdom from God, who gives generously to those who ask. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the perception of wisdom differ between the rich man and the poor man in Proverbs 28:11? 2. In what ways can wealth lead to a false sense of wisdom, and how can we guard against this in our own lives? 3. How does the concept of discernment in Proverbs 28:11 relate to the teachings of Jesus in the Beatitudes? 4. What practical steps can we take to cultivate discernment and humility in our daily lives? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Proverbs 28:11 to our understanding of true success and fulfillment according to biblical principles? Connections to Other Scriptures James 2:5This verse highlights God's choice of the poor to be rich in faith, contrasting worldly wealth with spiritual richness. 1 Samuel 16:7God’s perspective on looking at the heart rather than outward appearances, similar to the discernment of the poor man. Luke 16:19-31The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, illustrating the eternal consequences of earthly attitudes towards wealth and wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29Paul speaks about God choosing the foolish and weak things of the world to shame the wise, aligning with the theme of true discernment. Matthew 5:3The Beatitudes, where Jesus blesses the poor in spirit, emphasizing spiritual insight over material wealth. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Conceit, Discernment, Intelligent, Low, Opinion, Poor, Rich, Searcheth, Seems, Sees, Sense, Understanding, Wealth, WiseDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 28:11 5481 proverb
5503 rich, the
8227 discernment, nature of
8366 wisdom, source of
8810 riches, dangers Library Two Coverings and Two Consequences
A Sermon (No. 3500) by C. H. Spurgeon, April 4th, 1875, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. Published February 24th, 1916. "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper."--Proverbs 28:13. "Thou Hast covered all their sins."--Psalm 85:2. In these two texts we have man's covering, which is worthless and culpable, and God's covering, which is profitable and worthy of all acceptation. No sooner had man disobeyed his Maker's will in the garden of Eden than he discovered to his surprise and dismay …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsThe Right Kind of Fear
A Sermon (No. 2971) published on Thursday, January 18th, 1906, delivered by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington on Thursday evening, September 2nd, 1876. "Happy is the man that feareth alway."--Proverbs 28:14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. Did not John also say that "perfect love casteth out fear?" How is it then that he is happy in whom love is not made perfect, if so be that the fear …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh "If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our Sins",
1 John i. 9.--"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins", &c. The current of sin dries not up, but runs constantly while we are in this life. It is true, it is much diminished in a believer, and it runs not in such an universal flood over the whole man as it is in the unbeliever. Yet there is a living spring of sin within the godly, which is never ceasing to drop out pollution and defilement, either upon their whole persons, or, at least, to intermingle it with their …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Letter xxiv (Circa A. D. 1126) to Oger, Regular Canon
To Oger, Regular Canon [34] Bernard blames him for his resignation of his pastoral charge, although made from the love of a calm and pious life. None the less, he instructs him how, after becoming a private person, he ought to live in community. To Brother Oger, the Canon, Brother Bernard, monk but sinner, wishes that he may walk worthily of God even to the end, and embraces him with the fullest affection. 1. If I seem to have been too slow in replying to your letter, ascribe it to my not having …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great "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 "And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection, …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How to be Admonished are those who Give Away what is their Own, and those who Seize what Belongs to Others.
(Admonition 21.) Differently to be admonished are those who already give compassionately of their own, and those who still would fain seize even what belongs to others. For those who already give compassionately of their own are to be admonished not to lift themselves up in swelling thought above those to whom they impart earthly things; not to esteem themselves better than others because they see others to be supported by them. For the Lord of an earthly household, in distributing the ranks and …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Adoption
'As many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' John 1:12. Having spoken of the great points of faith and justification, we come next to adoption. The qualification of the persons is, As many as received him.' Receiving is put for believing, as is clear by the last words, to them that believe in his name.' The specification of the privilege is, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' The Greek word for power, exousia, signifies …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity 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 28:11 NIVProverbs 28:11 NLTProverbs 28:11 ESVProverbs 28:11 NASBProverbs 28:11 KJV
Proverbs 28:11 Commentaries
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