◄ Proverbs 28:23 ►
He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue.
Study Bible
He who rebukes a man
Rebuking involves correcting or admonishing someone for their actions or behavior. In biblical context, rebuke is often seen as a necessary part of maintaining righteousness and community standards. Proverbs frequently emphasizes the value of wisdom and correction (Proverbs 9:8, 27:5). The act of rebuking is not merely criticism but is intended to guide someone back to the right path. In the New Testament, Jesus rebukes His disciples and others to teach and correct (Mark 8:33).

will later find more favor
The idea of finding favor suggests a positive outcome or approval from others, including God. This aligns with the biblical principle that truth and righteousness ultimately lead to blessing and honor (Proverbs 3:3-4). The "later" aspect indicates that the benefits of rebuking may not be immediate but will manifest over time. This reflects the biblical theme of sowing and reaping, where the results of one's actions are seen in the future (Galatians 6:7-9).

than one who flatters with his tongue
Flattery is insincere praise, often used for personal gain or to avoid conflict. The Bible warns against flattery as deceitful and ultimately harmful (Psalm 12:2-3, Proverbs 29:5). In contrast to rebuke, which seeks the good of the other person, flattery is self-serving. The cultural context of the ancient Near East valued honor and integrity, making flattery a dangerous and dishonorable practice. Jesus, as the embodiment of truth, never resorted to flattery but spoke truthfully, even when it was difficult (John 8:45-46).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Rebuker
This person is someone who offers correction or criticism, often motivated by a desire to help the other person improve or avoid error.

2. The Flatterer
This individual uses insincere praise to gain favor or avoid conflict, often prioritizing their own interests over the truth.

3. The Recipient of Rebuke
The person who receives correction, who may initially react negatively but ultimately benefits from the truth.

4. The Recipient of Flattery
The person who receives insincere praise, which may lead to complacency or a false sense of security.

5. The Event of Rebuke
The act of offering correction, which can be a pivotal moment leading to personal growth and improved relationships.
Teaching Points
The Value of Truthful Correction
Honest rebuke, though initially uncomfortable, leads to long-term respect and favor. It is an act of love and concern for the well-being of others.

The Danger of Flattery
Flattery may provide temporary comfort but ultimately deceives and hinders personal growth. It prioritizes superficial harmony over genuine improvement.

Approach with Love and Humility
When offering correction, it is crucial to do so with a spirit of love and humility, aiming to build up rather than tear down.

Seek Wisdom in Giving and Receiving Rebuke
Both giving and receiving rebuke require wisdom and discernment. Pray for guidance to ensure that your words and reactions align with God's will.

Favor from God and Man
True favor comes from God and is often reflected in the respect and trust of others. Prioritize integrity and truth over seeking approval through flattery.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we discern when it is appropriate to offer a rebuke to someone, and what should our motivations be?

2. Reflect on a time when you received a rebuke. How did it impact your personal growth, and what can you learn from that experience?

3. In what ways can flattery be harmful to both the giver and the receiver, and how can we guard against it in our interactions?

4. How does the principle of speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) guide us in offering correction to others?

5. What steps can we take to ensure that our rebukes are received favorably and lead to positive change, rather than resentment or conflict?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 27:5-6
These verses highlight the value of open rebuke over hidden love and the trustworthiness of wounds from a friend compared to the deceit of an enemy's kisses, reinforcing the idea that honest correction is more beneficial than flattery.

Ephesians 4:15
This passage encourages speaking the truth in love, which aligns with the principle of offering constructive criticism for the growth and edification of others.

Galatians 6:1
This verse advises believers to restore others gently when they are caught in sin, emphasizing the importance of a loving and humble approach to rebuke.
Sermons
Faithful CounselE. Johnson Proverbs 28:23
ReproofT. W. Thompson, M.A.Proverbs 28:23
The Source of Disturbance and the Secret of SecurityW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:1, 13, 25
Hidden ManhoodW. Clarkson Proverbs 28:12, 28
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Afterward, Afterwards, Approval, Favor, Favour, Findeth, Flatterer, Flattereth, Flattering, Flatters, Gain, Grace, Later, Protest, Rebukes, Rebuketh, Reproving, Says, Smooth, Tongue
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 28:23

     5345   influence
     5481   proverb
     5549   speech, positive
     5821   criticism, among believers
     5861   favour, human
     5863   flattery

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 Proverbs

The 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

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