What is the meaning of Proverbs 11:27?

He who searches out good

“He who searches out good…” (Proverbs 11:27a)

• Searching is intentional. It means tuning heart, mind, conversation, and choices toward whatever God calls “good” (Romans 12:9).

• Scripture frames “good” as what is upright, beneficial, God-honoring—never merely what feels pleasant (Micah 6:8; Psalm 34:12-14).

• Practically, we search out good when we:

– Meditate on what is true, honorable, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

– Choose mercy, justice, and humility in daily interactions (Proverbs 3:27; Colossians 3:12-14).

– Persevere in doing right even when unseen (Galatians 6:9).

• The pursuit is proactive, not passive; goodness rarely drifts into our lives uninvited (Psalm 119:10).

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Finds favor

“…finds favor” (Proverbs 11:27a)

• Favor in Proverbs usually includes both divine approval and human goodwill (Proverbs 3:3-4; 16:7).

• God’s smile rests on those who delight in what He delights in (Psalm 5:12).

• Relationships flourish where goodness is pursued: Daniel prospered with pagan kings because excellent character attracted favor (Daniel 6:3).

• Even when people resist, divine favor sustains (1 Peter 2:12; Isaiah 58:10-11).

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But evil will come

“…but evil will come…” (Proverbs 11:27b)

• The verse pivots: the harvest principle kicks in (Galatians 6:7-8).

• Evil here refers both to moral wrongdoing and to the calamity that wrongdoing invites (Proverbs 13:21).

• Scripture sketches the boomerang effect: the pit dug for others swallows the digger (Psalm 7:14-16; Esther 7:10).

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To him who seeks it

“…to him who seeks it.” (Proverbs 11:27b)

• Seeking evil is as deliberate as seeking good—choices, entertainments, alliances, secret habits (James 1:14-15).

• The verse underlines personal responsibility: calamity is not random but the natural consequence of pursuit (Proverbs 1:31; Romans 2:5-9).

• God’s justice is woven into life’s fabric; if one insists on darkness, darkness answers (John 3:19-20; Hosea 8:7).

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summary

Proverbs 11:27 draws a straight line between what we chase and what we receive. Pursue the good God defines, and His favor follows, often blessing those around us. Chase evil, and the very trouble we desired turns on us. In every choice, conversation, and click, we are sowing tomorrow’s harvest; Scripture invites us to sow good and reap favor.