He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
Parallel Translations
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He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
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He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
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He is in the way of life that heedeth instruction; but he that forsaketh reproof erreth.
Cross-references (18)
Passages linked to Proverbs 10:17 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- 2 Peter 1:5-11 Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control perseverance; and in perseverance godliness; and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love. For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
- Proverbs 15:10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.
- Proverbs 5:12 and say, “How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
- Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
- Luke 11:28 But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”
- Proverbs 3:18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
- Proverbs 4:13 Take firm hold of instruction. Don’t let her go. Keep her, for she is your life.
- Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
- Proverbs 3:1-2 My son, don’t forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments: for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace.
- Proverbs 29:1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
- Matthew 7:24-27 “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
- Proverbs 1:25-26 but you have ignored all my counsel, and wanted none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity overtakes you,
- Proverbs 4:4 He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.
- Ecclesiastes 5:6 Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?
- Proverbs 1:30 They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
- Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away.
- Hebrews 12:25 See that you don’t refuse him who speaks. For if they didn’t escape when they refused him who warned on the earth, how much more will we not escape who turn away from him who warns from heaven,
- 2 Chronicles 25:16 As he talked with him, the king said to him, “Have we made you one of the king’s counselors? Stop! Why should you be struck down?” Then the prophet stopped, and said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this, and have not listened to my counsel.”
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (16 sources)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Pro 10:17 He [is in] the way of life…
Pro 10:17 He [is in] the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
Ver. 17. He is in the way of life.] Rich fools refuse reproof; hold themselves above admonition, Tange montes et fumigabunt, and are therefore, by the just judgment of God, led through a fool’s paradise into a true prison. Divitibus ideo amicus deest, quia nihil deest. Rich men have few faithful counsellors.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain The way of life; which leadeth to life and…
The way of life; which leadeth to life and blessedness. That keepeth instruction; that observeth and obeyeth the wholesome counsels of God, and of good men.
Erreth, to wit, from the way of life, or into the ways of sin, and so of death; Heb. leadeth into error, or seduceth, to wit, himself, as appears by the opposition of this to the former clause; he wittingly and willingly exposeth himself to temptation and wickedness, because he rejecteth that admonition which is a proper preservative from it.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain See here, 1. That those are in the right…
See here, 1. That those are in the right that do not only receive instruction, but retain it, that do not let it slip through carelessness, as most do, nor let it go to those that would rob them of it, that keep instruction safely, keep it pure and entire, keep it for their own use, that they may govern themselves by it, keep it for the benefit of others, that they may instruct them; those that do so are in the way of life, the way that has true comfort in it and eternal life at the end of it. 2. That those are in the wrong that do not only not receive instruction, but wilfully and obstinately refuse it when it is offered them. They will not be taught their duty because it discovers their faults to them; that instruction which carries reproof in it they have a particular aversion to, and certainly they err; it is a sign that they err in judgment, and have false notions of good and evil; it is a cause of their erring in conversation. The traveller that has missed his way, and cannot bear to be told of it and shown the right way, must needs err still, err endlessly; he certainly misses the way of life.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain He is in the way of life,.... Of eternal…
He is in the way of life,.... Of eternal life, which is truly, properly, and by way of eminency, "life", Mat 19:17; and which is a life of glory; a life of perfection, of perfect holiness, knowledge, obedience, love, peace, and joy; a life free from all the inconveniences of the present life, animal or spiritual; a life of pleasure, and which will last for ever: the "way" to it is not by works of righteousness done by men, since by these the law is not fulfilled, nor justice satisfied; and therefore no justification of life by them, or what entitles to eternal life; it is sinful, dangerous, and a vain thing, to seek for eternal life in this way; Christ is the only true way to it; who, by his obedience, sufferings, and death, has opened the new and living way; and through his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, way is made for all that believe in him to enter into eternal life: and such are in the way to it who are in Christ, secretly in election, openly in the effectual calling; when they are made new creatures, are quickened by the Spirit and grace of Christ, and have that principle in them which is a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life; who have a sight of Christ, and come unto him by faith; who truly believe in him, with which eternal life is connected. Particularly he is in the way unto it
that keepeth instruction; the instruction in righteousness which the Scriptures give, especially the Gospel part of them; which is an instruction into the mind and will of God about man's salvation; into the grace of God, as displayed therein; into the person and offices of Christ, and salvation by him; into the doctrines of peace, pardon, righteousness, and life, through him. Now he to whom this instruction comes with power, and is the savour of life unto life; who receives it in the love of it; who "observes" (i) it, as the word here used signifies; takes notice of and follows its direction, pointing out Christ as the way of salvation, instructing to look to him and believe in him, and be saved; and who retains and holds fast such instruction, and abides by it; and finds the word of the Gospel, and eats it, and is nourished by it unto everlasting life; he is most assuredly in the way of it;
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but he that refuseth reproof erreth; that is, from the way of life. He that rejects the counsel and advice, the admonitions and reproofs, given in the word of God, by the ministers of it; or by parents and masters, friends or relations, that wish him well; he wanders far off from the way that leads to life, and goes into the paths of sin, and consequently is in the way of death. Some render it, "causeth to err" (k); either others, as Aben Ezra; or both himself and others, as Jarchi: and then it may be understood of him "that forsaketh reproof" (l), as it may be rendered; that is, that declines giving reproof, when it lies in his way, and is his duty to do it. Aben Ezra reads this clause in connection with the former, as said of one and the same person,
"he is in the way of life that keepeth instruction, and forsakes or rejects the reproof of him that causeth to err.''
(i) "observat", Tigurine version; "servat", Cocceius; "observans", Schultens. (k) "faciens errare", Montanus, Gejerus; "seduceus sese", Tigurine version; "errare facit", some in Vatablus; "facit oberrare", Cocceius. (l) "qui relinquit increpationem", Pagninus; "deserens", Montanus, Schultens; "derelinquit", Piscator; "deserit", Cocceius.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 17. He is in the way of life]…
Verse 17. He is in the way of life] The truly religious man accumulates knowledge that he may the better know how to live to God, and do most good among men.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Pro 10:17. He is in the way of life…
Pro 10:17. He is in the way of life — The way which leadeth to life and blessedness; that keepeth instruction — That observeth the wholesome counsels of God and good men: but he that refuseth reproof erreth — Namely, from the way of life, or into the ways of sin, and so of death. Hebrew, מתעה, causeth to err, or seduceth, namely, himself: he knowingly and willingly exposes himself to temptation and wickedness, because he rejects that admonition which is a proper preservative from it.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain literally, A way of life is he that keepeth…
literally, A way of life is he that keepeth instruction. The verb “erreth” is better rendered in the margin. The influence for good or evil spreads beyond the man himself.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Charles Bridges 1846 · Public Domain Mercy unspeakable is it, that the way of life…
Mercy unspeakable is it, that the way of life is opened! Instruction sets the way before us. He that keepeth instruction cannot fail of finding and enjoying 1it. (Pro 8:34-35 .) The more we value that most needful part of instruction — discipline (Pro 6:23, Pro 22:17 ), the more shall we regard every practical lesson in the heavenly school. To refuse the reproof; to be deaf to the voice that would save us from ruin — is a most fearful error — the proof of a foolish and unhumbled heart (Pro 12:1 . 2Ch 16:7-10 ; 2Ch 25:15-16 ); the certain forerunner, if not corrected, of irremediable destruction. (Pro 1:25-26, Pro 1:30 ; Pro 5:12 ; Pro 15:10 ; Pro 29:1 Jer 6:10 . Zep 3:2 .) Child of God! is it not matter of shame and sorrow, that you should be so slow to keep such inestimable instruction; so prone to err from the way of life; and, though having the full promise of Divine guidance, still so often acting as the slave of your own will?
Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain keepeth--observes (Pro 3:18; Pro 4:22).
keepeth--observes (Pro 3:18; Pro 4:22).
refuseth--or, "turns from reproof," which might direct him aright.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 17. He is in the way of life —…
17. He is in the way of life — “A way of life is he that heedeth instruction.” — Zockler. So, substantially, Stuart and Miller. “He is himself a way to life.” As Miller says, “He blazes the way to heaven.”
Erreth — מתעה(math’heh;) causes others to err, leads astray. The sense of the verse is: The way of life (to others) is he that pre-serveth discipline; but he that neglects admonition causeth (others) to err; that is, he permits them to err by his neglect to admonish them. So, substantially, Zockler, Stuart, Conant, Fausset, Miller, etc.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 17. in the way &c.] Rather (with R.V. marg.),
17. in the way &c.] Rather (with R.V. marg.),
A way of life is he that heedeth correction:
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But he that forsaketh reproof causeth to err.
The one by his example and influence is a way of life to his fellow men; in measure and degree he can say what only the Perfect Example could say fully, “I am the way.” The other on the contrary not only goes himself, but leads others, astray.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (17) Erreth.—Literally, committeth error. This is probably the true…
(17) Erreth.—Literally, committeth error. This is probably the true sense, and harmonises better with being “in the way of life,” which occurs just before, than the marginal rendering, “causeth to err.” The word occurs in a similar sense in Jer_42:20 (there translated, “ye have dissembled”).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain He is in the way of life. (Pro_5:6) It…
He is in the way of life. (Pro_5:6) It is a way of life when a man keepeth instruction, taketh to heart what is taught by daily providences and the wisdom of experience. Such teachableness leads to happiness here and hereafter. Erreth; (Jer_42:20) not "causeth to err," as in the margin, which weakens the antithesis. Septuagint, "Instruction (paideia ) guardeth the ways of life, but he who is unaffected by instruction goeth astray". (comp. Heb_12:7, etc.)
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain Pro_10:17. Not, He is in the way, but “He…
CRITICAL NOTES.—
Pro_10:17. Not, He is in the way, but “He is the way.” Erreth, causeth others to err.
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MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro_10:17
THE INFLUENCE OF EXAMPLE
We take here the rendering of all recent commentators as given in the Critical Notes, and understand the verse to set forth the truth that “no man liveth to himself.” His character is reproduced in others.
I. A good man is a way, because he is the means to an end. The way to the city is the road by which we reach it. The life of a holy man is a way to spiritual and eternal life, because it is the means by which men come home to God. If there were no good men in the world, there would be no means by which sinners could be brought from death unto life. Christ is pre-eminently “the way,” because His life is the great means by which men learn to know and to return to God. “No man cometh unto the Father but by Me” (Joh_14:6). The longer a path is trodden the more distinctly it proclaims itself as a way. So a good man becomes a more evident way the longer he lives. A good life is so distinct in its teachings that both sage and savage are compelled to admit its influence, and the longer it exerts its power for good the more pronounced it becomes. The Son of God has for ages been the way to life, and the longer He continues to be so the more distinctly is He seen to be the means to this end.
II. The conditions to be fulfilled in order to become a way of life.
1. The man must keep instruction. It is not enough to receive it. The Word of God must not only be heard, but must be remembered. The commandments of God must not only be received, but must be kept. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (Joh_13:17).
2. He must submit to discipline even when it takes the form of reproof. This is implied in the last clause of the verse, “He that refuseth reproof causeth to err.” The man who has attained a position in any profession, and has thereby become qualified to lead others, has done so because he has submitted to discipline even when it has been in the unpalatable form of reproof. Such a man can well exhort others to submit to that by which he has become fit to be their guide. Even the Son of God “learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Heb_5:8).
III. An ungodly man injures others as well as himself. He not only wanders from the path himself, but he “causeth (others) to err.” We often hear it said of a godless man—of one “who refuseth reproof”—that “he is nobody’s enemy but his own.” This cannot be. It has been truly said that “nothing leaves us wholly as it found us. Every man we meet, every book we read, every picture or landscape we see, every word or tone we hear, mingles with our being and modifies it.” This being so, every man makes every man with whom he comes in contact better or worse, and as every good man draws others into the path of life, so every man who refuses to submit to Divine discipline drags others with him in the broad road that leads to destruction.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
St. Basil, answering the question, “With what mind anyone ought to receive the instructions of reproof administered unto him,” giveth this answer, “With the same mind that befitteth him who, being sick of some disease and troubled for the preserving of life, receiveth a medicine, namely, with the greatest desire of recovering his health.” For there is a way of life though a man be not sick but dead unto sin. And the hand that putteth into this way is instruction, and that which must keep us in the way is the keeping of instruction: for he that refuseth reproof erreth, erreth in refusing, erreth more by refusing.—Jermin.
This is the idea of other verses (11–13): that a man going to heaven blazes a path for others. He is a way. Others travel upon him in his prayers and in his example.—Miller.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain v. 17. He is in the way of life,…
v. 17. He is in the way of life, on the highway to the true enjoyment of life, that keepeth instruction, heeding and accepting correction; but he that refuseth reproof, turning from it, impatient of being led aright, erreth, goes astray and may lead others astray.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 10:17 Wise people are not afraid to have their…
10:17 Wise people are not afraid to have their thinking or behavior corrected—they accept discipline as an opportunity to grow in wisdom.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.