Suretiship, also known as surety or becoming a guarantor, is a concept found in the Bible that involves taking on the responsibility for another person's debt or obligation. This practice is addressed in several passages, primarily in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, where it is often portrayed with caution and warning.

Biblical References and Context

1. Proverbs 6:1-5: "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 your neighbor’s hands: 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 advises against entering into suretiship lightly. It emphasizes the urgency of freeing oneself from such obligations, likening it to escaping a trap. The imagery of a gazelle and a bird underscores the potential danger and entrapment involved in becoming a surety.

2. Proverbs 11:15: "He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure."

Here, the text warns of the potential suffering that can come from guaranteeing a stranger's debt. The contrast is drawn between the insecurity of suretiship and the security of avoiding such financial entanglements.

3. Proverbs 17:18: "A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor."

This verse associates suretiship with a lack of wisdom or judgment. It suggests that entering into such agreements without careful consideration is unwise.

4. Proverbs 22:26-27: "Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?"

The passage advises against becoming a guarantor, highlighting the risk of losing one's own possessions if unable to fulfill the obligation. It underscores the potential personal cost of suretiship.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, suretiship in the Bible is often viewed as a metaphor for the spiritual and moral responsibilities one might assume for others. The warnings against suretiship reflect a broader biblical principle of exercising wisdom and prudence in financial and relational matters. The Bible encourages individuals to be cautious about entangling themselves in the financial obligations of others, as it can lead to unforeseen consequences and personal loss.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the biblical counsel on suretiship serves as a guideline for financial stewardship and personal responsibility. It encourages believers to consider the potential risks and burdens of becoming a guarantor and to seek wisdom in their financial dealings. The emphasis on avoiding unnecessary debt and maintaining personal integrity aligns with broader biblical teachings on stewardship and trustworthiness.

Overall, the biblical perspective on suretiship underscores the importance of wisdom, caution, and responsibility in financial and relational commitments.(n.) Suretyship.8628. taqa -- to thrust, clap, give a blow, blast
... etc.); by implication, to become bondsman by handclasping) -- blow ((a trumpet)),
cast, clap, fasten, pitch (tent), smite, sound, strike, X suretiship, thrust. ...
/hebrew/8628.htm - 6k

The Private Thoughts and Words of Jesus
... From this suretiship he never departed. ... He longed to be bearing the penalty to which
he had voluntarily subjected himself by his covenant suretiship. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the private thoughts and words.htm

Christ's Resurrection and Our Newness of Life
... He was surety for us, and therefore he smarted and went down to the prison of the
grave; but by death he discharged his suretiship and was set free. ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/christs resurrection and our newness.htm

Some General Uses from this Useful Truth, that Christ is the Truth ...
... firm truth. They make the covenant of suretiship betwixt the Father and
the Son, a mere lie and a forgery. O dreadful! They make ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xii some general uses.htm

The Eighth Commandment
... salvation. (4) A man may be a thief to himself by suretiship. Be not thou
one of them that are sureties for debts.' Proverbs 22:26. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 8 the eighth commandment.htm

The Doctrine
... 1. The doctrine proved.2. The new covenant made with Christ.3. The conditions of
the new covenant.4. The suretiship of Christ.5. Christ the Messenger of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the doctrine.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

Suretiship (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Suretiship (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 11:15 He that is surety
for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. ...
/s/suretiship.htm - 6k

Surety (21 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 11:15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that
hateth suretiship is sure. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/s/surety.htm - 18k

Loan (9 Occurrences)
... At a later period of the Hebrew commonwealth, when commerce increased, the practice
of exacting usury or interest on loans, and of suretiship in the commercial ...
/l/loan.htm - 16k

Smart (2 Occurrences)
... Smart (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 11:15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart
for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure. (KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV). ...
/s/smart.htm - 8k

Sureties (1 Occurrence)

/s/sureties.htm - 6k

Sure (142 Occurrences)
... for egguos, "guarantor," "giver of security." Modern English prefers "security,"
as does even the King James Version in Acts 17:9. "Suretiship" (the American ...
/s/sure.htm - 40k

Surely (587 Occurrences)
... for egguos, "guarantor," "giver of security." Modern English prefers "security,"
as does even the King James Version in Acts 17:9. "Suretiship" (the American ...
/s/surely.htm - 39k

Hateth (38 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 11:15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and
he that hateth suretiship is sure. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/h/hateth.htm - 16k

Suretiship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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