Chapter 22
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
2The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
4By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
5Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
10Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
11He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
12The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
13The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
19That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.
20Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
21That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?
22Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
23For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
24Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
26Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
27If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?
28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Overview
This chapter opens with beloved proverbs: a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. Solomon addresses the rich and poor alike, warns against oppressing the afflicted, and transitions into the 'words of the wise' section with thirty sayings that call for careful listening. The chapter emphasizes humility, diligence, and the lasting impact of early instruction.
Key Themes
The Value of a Good Name
A good name is better than great riches, and loving favor better than silver and gold — reputation built on integrity is the most valuable asset a person can possess.
Training Children in God's Way
Training a child in the way he should go creates a trajectory that endures into old age — early spiritual formation has lifelong and generational consequences.
Humility and the Fear of the Lord
By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life — these twin virtues are the gateway to God's fullest blessings.
Study Questions
What does it mean that 'a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches' (v. 1)? How is a good name built and maintained?
How should we understand the promise to 'train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it' (v. 6)?
What does verse 2 — 'the rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all' — teach about equality before God?
Why does Solomon warn 'make no friendship with an angry man' (v. 24)? What does this teach about the influence of temperament?
How does the humility described in verse 4 contrast with the pride warned against throughout Proverbs?
Connection to Christ
Jesus bears the name above every name, yet He humbled Himself and made Himself of no reputation for our sake. He is the one who was trained in the way of the Lord from His youth and never departed from the Father's will. Christ meets the rich and poor alike at the cross, where all stand equal before God as sinners in need of grace.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Proverbs 22. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?