Proverbs 15:31 kjv
The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
Proverbs 15:31 nkjv
The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise.
Proverbs 15:31 niv
Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise.
Proverbs 15:31 esv
The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
Proverbs 15:31 nlt
If you listen to constructive criticism,
you will be at home among the wise.
Proverbs 15 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. | Wisdom starts with humble obedience. |
| Prov 9:8 | Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you... Reprove a wise man, and he will love you. | Wise are open to correction; scoffers resist. |
| Prov 10:17 | Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. | Instruction leads to life; rejection leads astray. |
| Prov 12:1 | Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. | Desire for discipline equals desire for knowledge. |
| Prov 13:18 | Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof will be honored. | Heeding reproof brings honor. |
| Prov 15:5 | A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever regards reproof is prudent. | Contrasts foolish rejection with prudent acceptance. |
| Prov 15:32 | Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains understanding. | Immediate context, stressing self-worth from learning. |
| Prov 19:20 | Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. | Proactive seeking of counsel for future wisdom. |
| Prov 25:12 | Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. | Value of a wise reprover and a receptive listener. |
| Ps 50:17 | For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. | Rebuke from God is rejected by the disobedient. |
| Prov 3:11-12 | My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof... | God's discipline as a form of loving instruction. |
| Heb 12:5-6, 10-11 | "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord... for the Lord disciplines the one he loves..." | Divine discipline for our good, leading to holiness. |
| Job 5:17 | "Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore do not despise the discipline of the Almighty." | Reproof from God is a blessing. |
| Ps 119:67 | Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. | Affliction as a form of correction leading to obedience. |
| Ps 119:71 | It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. | Learning from difficulties. |
| Prov 1:24-25 | Because I have called and you refused to listen... I also will laugh at your calamity. | Consequences of refusing wisdom's call. |
| Prov 5:11-14 | And at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and body are consumed... | Regret of those who reject instruction. |
| Prov 13:1 | A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. | Contrasts son's obedience with scoffer's resistance. |
| Prov 29:1 | He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. | Danger of persistent stubbornness to reproof. |
| Prov 13:20 | Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. | Emphasizes the influence of association. |
| Prov 2:20 | So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. | Benefits of following wise instruction. |
| 4:18 | But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter... | Path of the righteous who gain wisdom is progressive. |
| Deut 6:4 | "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." | "Hear" (Shema) signifies listening with obedience. |
| Jam 1:22 | But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. | True hearing requires action, not just reception. |
Proverbs 15 verses
Proverbs 15 31 Meaning
Proverbs 15:31 conveys that a person who humbly receives and acts upon corrective instruction, particularly instruction that guides toward true well-being and a righteous life, will join and flourish among those who are wise. It highlights receptiveness to discipline as a foundational pathway to acquiring and maintaining wisdom.
Proverbs 15 31 Context
Proverbs 15 is rich with antithetical parallels, contrasting the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, and the benefits of wisdom with the consequences of folly, especially concerning speech and behavior. Verses 30-33 focus specifically on the nature of knowledge, discipline, and understanding. Verse 30 speaks of a report of good news enriching bones, and the illumination eyes bring to the heart. Verse 32 immediately follows, explicitly stating the fool who ignores instruction despises himself, while the one who heeds reproof gains understanding. Thus, verse 31 fits directly into this thematic unit emphasizing the necessity of receptiveness to life-giving correction as the pathway to true understanding and association with the wise. The broader historical and cultural context of Proverbs values the instruction of parents, elders, and sages as crucial for societal harmony and individual success, rooted in reverence for God.
Proverbs 15 31 Word analysis
- The ear (אָזֶן - 'ozen): Not merely the physical organ for hearing, but a metonymy for a receptive disposition of the entire person. It implies a readiness to pay attention, consider, and respond to what is heard, signifying willingness and openness.
- that hears (שָׁמַע - shama’): This verb means more than just auditory perception. In Hebrew thought, shama’ implies an active listening that leads to understanding and, crucially, obedience or action. It signifies an internalization and acceptance of the message, distinguishing it from merely "hearing with one's ears" as opposed to "hearing and doing."
- the reproof (תּוֹכַחַת - tokhachat): This noun signifies correction, rebuke, admonition, or discipline. It refers to corrective criticism, a pointing out of error or sin, but with an underlying intention of rectification, instruction, and improvement rather than just condemnation. It is an act meant to guide someone onto a better path.
- of life (חַיִּים - chayyim): The genitive construction "reproof of life" primarily means correction that leads to life, or correction concerning how to live a full and proper life. "Life" here denotes not merely biological existence, but a rich, vital, flourishing, and wholesome existence, both physical and spiritual, often tied to a covenant relationship with God. The reproof is beneficial and life-giving, guiding towards a path of well-being and blessing.
- abides / will lodge (לִין - lin/lun): This verb means to stay, reside, lodge overnight, or dwell permanently. It implies a settled presence, becoming a regular, integral part of a community or state. It signifies a lasting identification and belonging.
- among the wise (בֵּין חֲכָמִים - bein chakamim): Refers to being in the company, association, and fellowship of those who possess and embody wisdom. "The wise" are individuals whose lives are ordered by godly principles, whose conduct reflects understanding and discernment, and who are guided by the fear of the Lord. Abiding among them means sharing in their character, counsel, and elevated status within the community.
Proverbs 15 31 Bonus section
The phrase "reproof of life" underscores that true discipline is not solely about pointing out wrong, but about guiding towards right and what genuinely leads to human flourishing. It implies that the source of the reproof, whether divine or human, possesses genuine concern for the recipient's well-being. This proverb sets the foundation for continuous spiritual and personal development, asserting that wisdom is acquired through humble self-assessment facilitated by external, constructive critique. It also implies a responsibility for the wise to offer such "life-giving" correction to others.
Proverbs 15 31 Commentary
Proverbs 15:31 succinctly captures a fundamental principle of biblical wisdom: growth and understanding are not gained through isolated introspection or innate intelligence, but through a humble and proactive reception of corrective instruction. The "ear that hears" symbolizes a heart truly open to feedback, acknowledging imperfections and eagerly seeking improvement. The "reproof of life" emphasizes that such correction is not punitive but formative, intended to guide one away from destructive paths towards true vitality and flourishing. This "life-giving" aspect distinguishes biblical correction from mere criticism. Those who embrace this corrective discipline demonstrate a teachable spirit, which is the hallmark of a wise person, setting them apart from the stubborn or self-sufficient. Consequently, they become part of the community of the wise, dwelling among them not just in physical proximity, but sharing in their mindset, character, and their privileged place in God's order. This path to wisdom is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of active listening and humble application.