With a wicked man comes contempt as well
This phrase highlights the natural consequences of wickedness, which is often associated with contempt. In biblical terms, a "wicked man" refers to someone who lives in opposition to God's laws and moral standards. The Hebrew word for "wicked" often implies guilt and moral corruption. Contempt, in this context, can be understood as the disdain or scorn that such a person attracts from others. This is consistent with the biblical principle that sin leads to negative social consequences. The Book of Proverbs frequently contrasts the outcomes of righteous and wicked living, emphasizing that wickedness leads to social and spiritual isolation. This idea is echoed in Psalm 1:1, which warns against walking in the counsel of the wicked.

and shame is accompanied by disgrace
Shame and disgrace are closely related, yet distinct, concepts in biblical literature. Shame often refers to a personal sense of dishonor or humiliation, while disgrace is the public manifestation of that shame. In ancient Near Eastern culture, honor and shame were pivotal social values, and losing one's honor was a severe consequence of immoral behavior. The linkage of shame with disgrace suggests that personal sin not only affects the individual internally but also has external repercussions, damaging one's reputation and standing in the community. This is seen in the story of King David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12), where David's sin leads to both personal shame and public disgrace. The phrase underscores the biblical teaching that sin has both personal and communal consequences, reinforcing the need for repentance and restoration.

1. The Wicked
In the context of Proverbs, the wicked are those who live in opposition to God's righteous standards. They are often characterized by their immoral actions and disregard for divine wisdom.

2. Contempt
This term refers to the disdain or scorn that accompanies the presence of wickedness. It is both a consequence and a characteristic of wicked behavior.

3. Shame
Shame in this context is the feeling of guilt or disgrace that results from sinful actions. It is an internal acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

4. Reproach
Reproach is the external expression of disapproval or criticism that follows shameful actions. It is the societal response to one's disgrace.The Consequences of Wickedness
Wickedness does not exist in isolation; it brings with it contempt and societal disdain. Believers are called to live righteously to avoid these negative consequences.

The Cycle of Sin and Shame
Sin leads to shame, and shame leads to reproach. Understanding this cycle can help believers seek repentance and restoration before reaching the point of public disgrace.

Guarding Against Contempt
As Christians, we must guard our hearts against contempt, both in how we view others and in how we conduct ourselves. Contempt can be a sign of underlying wickedness.

The Importance of Repentance
When we find ourselves in shame, repentance is the key to breaking the cycle and restoring our relationship with God and others.

Living Above Reproach
Believers are called to live lives that are above reproach, reflecting the character of Christ and avoiding actions that lead to shame and reproach.(3) When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt.--Comp. the whole burden of Psalms 106, that sorrow and shame follow sin.

Verse 3. - When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt. The contempt here spoken of is not that with which the sinner is regarded, but that which he himself learns to feel for all that is pure and good and lovely (Psalm 31:18). As the LXX. interprets, "When the wicked cometh into the depth of evil, he despiseth," he turns a despiser. So the Vulgate. Going forward in evil, adding sin to sin, he end by casting all shame aside, deriding the Law Divine and human, and saying in his heart, "There is no God." St. Gregory, "As he who is plunged into a well is confined to the bottom of it; so would the mind fall in, and remain, as it were, at the bottom, if, after having once fallen, it were to confine itself within any measure of sin. But when it cannot be contented with the sin into which it has fallen, while it is daily plunging into worse offences, it finds, as it were, no bottom to the well into which it has fallen, on which to rest. For there would be a bottom to the well, if there were any bounds to his sin. Whence it is well said, 'When a sinner hath come into the lowest depth of sins, he contemneth.' For he puts by returning, because he has no hope that he can be forgiven. But when he sins still more through despair, he withdraws, as it were, the bottom from the well, so as to find therein no resting place" ('Moral.,' 26:69, Oxford transl.). Even the heathen could see this terrible consequence. Thus Juvenal is quoted ('Sat.,' 13:240, etc.) -

"Nam quis
Peccandi finem posuit sibi? quando receipt
Ejectum semel attrita de fronte ruborem?
Quisnam hominum est, quem tu contentum videris uno
Flagitio?" And with ignominy cometh reproach. Here again it is not the reproach suffered by the sinner that is meant (as in Proverbs 11:2), but the abuse which he heaps on others who strive to impede him in his evil courses. All that he says or does brings disgrace, and he is always ready to revue any who are better than himself. Both the Septuagint and the Vulgate make the wicked man the victim instead of the actor, thus: "but upon him there cometh disgrace and reproach." The Hebrew does not well admit this interpretation.

Parallel Commentaries ...

With a wicked [man]
רָ֭שָׁע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

comes
בְּֽבוֹא־ (bə·ḇō·w-)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

contempt
בּ֑וּז (būz)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 937: Disrespect

as well,
גַם־ (ḡam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

and shame
קָל֥וֹן (qā·lō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7036: Disgrace, the pudenda

is accompanied by
וְֽעִם־ (wə·‘im-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

disgrace.
חֶרְפָּֽה׃ (ḥer·pāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2781: Contumely, disgrace, the pudenda


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:3 When wickedness comes contempt also comes (Prov. Pro Pr)