Proverbs 11:9 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Proverbs 11:9

Comments

The KJV translates the Hebrew word found here as ‘hypocrite’ on all occasions and this is one characteristic of the person in view, but the root of the word is a verb meaning to be defiled, polluted, or corrupted. The verb destroy, interestingly, means to ruin or spoil gradually by decay. Is this simply a picture of a slanderer destroying the reputation of another believer in the church? No, for when we look at the other half of the proverb, we find information which enriches the picture. Solomon says - 'Through knowledge shall the just be delivered,' and the Hebrew for delivered literally means - be pulled off or away from. The talkative hypocrite seems to be pictured as some sort of parasitic plant, which would grow through and round a good plant, covering it with suckers perhaps, and eventually killing it. The parasitic plant draws its nourishment from its host as it deprives it of light and air. The only hope of survival is for someone to pull off the tangled mass of creeper, a task that must be carried out with great 'knowledge', or the host will be injured beyond recovery. There is a community of people in mind who are more than just neighbours who happen to be living next to each other, for they have social responsibilities to each other. The godless man has a very corrosive effect on this community, because by gossip and false report he slanders his neighbour and turns one against another. He may feign friendship but it is not sincere and he cannot be trusted. He is not careful to speak the truth, and loves revenge, favouritism, variance, and division. It is impossible under his influence for people to trust one another, love one another, and work together in harmony. He attacks the righteous also and it is hard to see how they can escape his subtleties and schemes.

Application

Applying this picture to the local church, we know how easily a backslidden and corrupt member can bring another into bondage. Perhaps someone has succumbed to a sad spirit of bitterness, hostility or jealousy, and now constantly criticises others. And perhaps such a person secures the friendship of other members and proceeds to fill them with poison; always denigrating; always condemning. We are warned of the 'root of bitterness' through which many can be defiled (Hebrews 12), and surely this is the one who 'with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour'. But it is possible, says the proverb, 'through knowledge' for 'the just' person to 'be delivered'. We are constantly taught in the Bible to be very careful of associations. If we associate closely with people whose spirit is wrong because they are worldly or covetous or unreasonably critical, they will undoubtedly contaminate us and spoil our own spirit, so that we will need deliverance. Here, however, is one of the glorious things about the church. It is a pastoral community, within which people help and where necessary rescue each other. Teaching and employing the principles of the Word of God, we disentangle ourselves and one another from bad influences, which may steal over us like the parasitic creeper. The church is a caring family, and no one should be left in the grip of any soul-destroying error. Has someone fallen under the power of filthiness, or foolish talking or jesting or unthankfulness? May the Lord provide every church with those who possess with the skill to disentangle the vulnerable before it is too late, and restore them to a place of blessing, usefulness and advancing godliness.

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Proverbs 11:9 Commentary and Bible Study