Proverbs 11:30 kjv
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30 nkjv
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30 niv
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.
Proverbs 11:30 esv
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
Proverbs 11:30 nlt
The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life;
a wise person wins friends.
Proverbs 11 30 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 2:9 | And out of the ground the Lord God made to grow every tree... and the tree of life also... | Original Tree of Life; source of immortality. |
| Gen 3:22 | Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of us... lest he take also of the tree of life..." | Humanity barred from Tree of Life after sin. |
| Prov 3:18 | She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. | Wisdom personified as the Tree of Life. |
| Prov 12:28 | In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. | Direct link between righteousness and life. |
| Ps 1:3 | He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season... | Righteous person's life is fruitful and flourishing. |
| Matt 7:17-19 | Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit... | Righteous character produces good outcomes. |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit... | Fruitfulness through connection to Christ. |
| John 15:8 | By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. | Glorifying God through bearing much spiritual fruit. |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... | Specific characteristics of righteous fruit. |
| Phil 1:11 | filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. | Righteousness produces glory for God. |
| Heb 12:11 | For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness... | Discipline yields fruit of righteousness. |
| Rev 2:7 | To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. | Restoration of access to the Tree of Life in Christ. |
| Rev 22:2 | ...On either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month... | Final restoration and sustenance from Tree of Life. |
| Rev 22:14 | Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life... | Access to Tree of Life granted to the pure. |
| Dan 12:3 | And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. | Direct parallel: leading many to righteousness is wisdom. |
| James 5:20 | let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death... | Saving souls from spiritual death. |
| 1 Cor 9:19 | For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. | Paul's commitment to winning others for Christ. |
| 1 Cor 9:22 | I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. | Adapting for the purpose of salvation. |
| Rom 1:16 | For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes... | Gospel's power in soul-winning. |
| 2 Tim 2:25 | God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth... | Instructing opponents gently, leading to repentance. |
| Prov 2:6 | For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. | Source of true wisdom. |
| Prov 4:7 | The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom... | Exhortation to acquire wisdom. |
| Matt 5:16 | In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. | Righteous acts as a witness that draws others to God. |
Proverbs 11 verses
Proverbs 11 30 Meaning
The fruit of the righteous, encompassing their actions, character, and influence, brings forth life and spiritual vitality to others, akin to the ancient Tree of Life. Furthermore, the one who guides or brings souls to the path of righteousness and salvation demonstrates profound wisdom, indicating that true sagacity involves actively rescuing and nurturing lives.
Proverbs 11 30 Context
Proverbs chapter 11 largely contrasts the righteous and the wicked, illustrating their distinct paths and ultimate outcomes. Throughout the chapter, righteousness leads to life, prosperity, and a lasting legacy, while wickedness brings ruin, disgrace, and ultimate destruction. Verses like 11:4-6 and 11:28-29 establish this core theme. Verse 30 encapsulates the positive influence of the righteous, connecting their life-giving presence to the act of actively rescuing or leading others towards what is good and true, affirming that this proactive outreach is a hallmark of true wisdom. Historically, Proverbs offered practical, God-given wisdom to young Israelites, guiding them to live lives aligned with divine order amidst a world of varying ethical systems. It countered chaotic and self-serving ideologies prevalent in the ancient Near East by emphasizing communal well-being and moral uprightness.
Proverbs 11 30 Word analysis
- The fruit (פְּרִי, pə·rî): Literally "fruit," "produce," or "offspring." In this context, it refers to the righteous person's character, actions, and the tangible results or influence stemming from their life lived in alignment with God's ways. It's the natural outflow of their righteous being.
- of the righteous (צַדִּיק, ṣad·dîq): One who is just, innocent, ethically correct, and stands in right relationship with God, conforming to His moral standards. Their righteousness is not self-derived but comes from their walk with God.
- is a tree of life (עֵץ חַיִּים, ‘êṣ ḥay·yîm): A potent metaphor. Recalls the "Tree of Life" in the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:9), symbolizing unending life, health, and spiritual vitality. Here, the very existence and influence of the righteous person are depicted as life-giving and nourishing to others, offering spiritual health and flourishing. This echoes Proverbs 3:18 where wisdom itself is a tree of life.
- and he who wins souls (לֹקֵחַ נְפָשׁוֹת, lō·qê·aḥ nə·p̄ā·šō·wt): This phrase translates more literally as "one who takes/seizes/acquires/rescues souls/lives." The verb laqach (לָקַח) implies active acquisition, drawing in, or seizing, often in the sense of rescue or bringing something beneficial. Nefashot (נְפָשׁוֹת) refers to persons, lives, or individual souls. It signifies one who actively draws, leads, saves, or influences others for good—whether by guiding them out of danger, into wisdom, or toward spiritual life. It encapsulates an active, transformative influence.
- is wise (חָכָם, ḥā·ḵām): One who possesses and applies divine wisdom. This isn't merely intellectual knowledge but practical skill and insight for living well, discerning good from evil, and influencing others toward life. It signifies profound understanding coupled with effective action.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life": This first half establishes that the very essence and output of a righteous person's life have a profound, life-giving impact on others. It speaks to the indirect yet powerful influence—their example, counsel, and consistent upright living nourish and bring vitality to their community, just as a fruit-bearing tree sustains life. It points to a blessing that flows outwards from their being.
- "and he who wins souls is wise": This second half pivots to a more direct and intentional action. While the first half describes passive, exemplary influence, this part describes active, purposeful engagement. It highlights the wisdom involved in seeking to rescue, guide, or lead others, whether from literal danger, spiritual death, or towards knowledge and salvation. It equates effective evangelism, spiritual discipleship, and positive human rescue with ultimate wisdom, demonstrating that godly wisdom isn't self-contained but seeks to share and extend life.
Proverbs 11 30 Bonus section
The concept of "Tree of Life" appears across scripture, starting from Eden and culminating in the New Heavens and New Earth, showing God's ultimate desire to restore abundant life to humanity. Proverbs often presents wisdom itself as a "tree of life" (Prov 3:18), thereby equating the righteous and their wisdom with life-giving essence. The phrase "wins souls" can be understood broadly as a holistic spiritual rescue or turning someone towards truth, encompassing various forms of influence beyond just verbal proclamation—living an authentic Christian life that draws others, prayer, and acts of service all contribute. This proverb reinforces that true wisdom is always missional and restorative, flowing from God and directed towards the welfare and eternal destiny of others.
Proverbs 11 30 Commentary
Proverbs 11:30 is a powerful summary of the outward-focused impact of righteous living and godly wisdom. It presents two interconnected truths. First, the righteous person is intrinsically a source of life; their very character and the results of their life (their "fruit") provide spiritual nourishment and vitality, much like the mythological Tree of Life provides unending sustenance. This refers to the positive and enduring legacy and influence that naturally flows from a life lived in accordance with God's will. Their consistent uprightness, compassion, and truthfulness benefit those around them, guiding them towards spiritual health and flourishing.
Second, the verse declares that actively guiding or "winning" souls is a mark of true wisdom. This refers to the intentional effort to rescue or lead others towards a path of righteousness and away from destruction. It encompasses acts of evangelism, discipleship, merciful intervention, and leading people to know God. This "winning" is not about a personal trophy, but about sharing the life-giving truth and purpose that stems from a righteous walk. True wisdom, therefore, is not merely intellectual accumulation but an applied understanding that seeks to restore and uplift others, directing them towards the ultimate source of life. The verse challenges believers not only to live righteously but also to proactively extend that life to a lost world, seeing this outward spiritual action as the highest expression of divine wisdom.