In biblical terms, a surety refers to a person who takes responsibility for another's performance of an obligation, often involving financial or legal commitments. The concept of suretyship is addressed in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting both the moral and practical implications of such commitments.

Old Testament References

The Book of Proverbs provides several warnings about the dangers of becoming a surety. Proverbs 6:1-5 advises, "My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger, if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, to free yourself, for you have fallen into the hand of your neighbor: Go, humble yourself, and press your plea with your neighbor. Allow no sleep to your eyes or slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler."

This passage underscores the urgency and seriousness of extricating oneself from such obligations, emphasizing the potential risks involved. The imagery of a gazelle escaping a hunter or a bird fleeing a snare illustrates the perilous nature of being bound by another's debt.

Proverbs 11:15 further warns, "He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure." This verse contrasts the suffering that can result from rashly entering into suretyship with the security found in avoiding such entanglements.

New Testament Insights

While the New Testament does not directly address suretyship in the same manner as the Old Testament, the principles of wisdom, stewardship, and responsibility are echoed throughout its teachings. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks to the importance of living wisely and managing one's affairs with integrity and foresight.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

From a biblical perspective, becoming a surety is not inherently sinful, but it is fraught with potential pitfalls that require careful consideration. The Bible encourages individuals to exercise prudence and discernment, recognizing the potential for financial and relational strain. The overarching biblical principle is one of stewardship, where individuals are called to manage their resources and relationships in a manner that honors God and reflects His wisdom.

Practical Implications

In practical terms, the biblical counsel on sureties serves as a cautionary guide for financial and relational commitments. It encourages believers to weigh the risks and responsibilities associated with guaranteeing another's obligations. The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly in Proverbs, serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of careful decision-making and the potential consequences of imprudent commitments.

In summary, the biblical treatment of sureties highlights the importance of wisdom, responsibility, and the careful management of one's commitments. The teachings found in Scripture provide valuable guidance for navigating the complexities of financial and relational obligations in a manner that aligns with God's principles.(n.) Plural of Surety.

John 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17 Questions About Regeneration
... But it does not give as an answer, "Because they offer no obstacle to grace,""but
"because they promise repentance and faith by their Sureties." Let us ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xviii john 3 3 2.htm

How Antiochus Made a League with Ptolemy and How Onias Provoked ...
... But when he asked him this question, Whether he had any sureties that would
be bound for the payment of the money? he answered very ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how antiochus made.htm

The Catechisms of the Church of England. AD 1549 and 1662.
... Yes; they do perform them by their Sureties, who promise and vow them both in their
names: which when they come to age themselves are bound to perform. ...
/.../ 83 the catechisms of.htm

Whether a Betrothal is a Promise of Future Marriage?
... For as Isidore says (Etym. iv), "a man is betrothed not by a mere promise, but by
giving his troth [spondet] and providing sureties [sponsores]". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a betrothal is a.htm

Knox and the Scottish Revolution, 1559
... backers having been deluded into remaining at Perth instead of "demonstrating" at
Stirling, she outlawed the preachers and fined their sureties ("assisters"). ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter x knox and the.htm

Appendix A: Alleged Perfidy of Mary of Guise
... in absence, for breach of the Regent's proclamations, and for causing "tumults and
seditions." No one else is put to the horn, but the sureties for the ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/appendix a alleged perfidy of.htm

A Relation of My Imprisonment in the Month of November 1660
... Bun. I said, It may be so. Then he wished me to get sureties to be bound
for me, or else he would send me to the jail. My sureties ...
/.../grace abounding to the chief of sinners/a relation of my imprisonment.htm

A Relaton of the Imprisonment of Mr. John Bunyan, Minister of the ...
... Bun. I said, it may be so. Then he wished me to get sureties to be bound
for me, or else he would send me to the jail. My sureties ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a relaton of the imprisonment.htm

The Anglican Catechism. AD 1549, 1662.
... Ans. Because they promise them both by their Sureties; [821] which promise,
when they come to age, themselves are bound to perform. Ques. ...
/.../the anglican catechism a d 1549.htm

Thoughts Upon Christian Education.
... This Promise therefore which Children make at their Baptism by their Sureties, and
which is implied in the very nature of the Sacrament, whether they have any ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon christian education.htm

Sureties (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sureties (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 22:26 Be not thou one
of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. ...
/s/sureties.htm - 6k

Tithing (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A number or company of ten householders who, dwelling near each other, were
sureties or frankpledges to the king for the good behavior of each other; a ...
/t/tithing.htm - 7k

Surer (1 Occurrence)

/s/surer.htm - 6k

Suretiship (1 Occurrence)

/s/suretiship.htm - 6k

Striking (25 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 22:26 Be not thou among those striking hands, Among sureties 'for'
burdens. (YLT). Isaiah 19:22 Yahweh will strike Egypt, striking and healing. ...
/s/striking.htm - 14k

Baptismal (1 Occurrence)
... In the service "For the Baptism of Infants," repentance and faith are promised for
the children by their "sureties" (ordinarily known as "sponsors" or ...
/b/baptismal.htm - 24k

Burdens (35 Occurrences)
... like other men. (WEB NIV). Proverbs 22:26 Be not thou among those striking
hands, Among sureties 'for' burdens. (YLT). Isaiah 9:4 ...
/b/burdens.htm - 17k

Regeneration (2 Occurrences)
... In the service "For the Baptism of Infants," repentance and faith are promised for
the children by their "sureties" (ordinarily known as "sponsors" or ...
/r/regeneration.htm - 60k

Surety (21 Occurrences)
... surety. (YLT). Proverbs 22:26 Be thou not of them that strike hands, or
of them that are sureties for debts; (See RSV). Proverbs 27 ...
/s/surety.htm - 18k

Covenant (309 Occurrences)
... When this ceremony is completed, the person who pledges his faith binds his friends
as sureties to the stranger, or the citizen, if the contract is made with a ...
/c/covenant.htm - 101k

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