Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. I. INQUIRE WHAT TRUTH IS. Of truths there are many kinds. 1. Those proper to the studies of great scholars. 2. Those concerning the preservation of our bodies. 3. Those concerning the making and executing of laws. 4. Those relating to husbandry, tillage, and business. The truth here is "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus." II. THE NATURE AND QUALITY OF THIS MERCHANDISE. It containeth all those precepts and conclusions that concern the knowledge and service of God, and that conduce to virtue and integrity and uprightness of life. This truth is fit and proportionable to the soul of man, which is made capable of it. As it is fitted to all, so it is lovely and amiable in the eyes of all, even of those who will not buy it. III. THE TRUTH MUST BE BOUGHT. It will not be ours unless we lay out something and purchase it. We do not stumble on this truth by chance. If men's faith cost them more, they would make more use of it than they do. IV. WHAT IS IT TO BUY THE TRUTH? The price is yourselves. Ye must lay down yourselves at the altar of truth, and be offered up as sacrifice for it. You must offer up your understandings, your wills, and your affections. Give up your prejudices. Cast away all malice to the truth, all distasting of it, all averseness to it. What helps does the God of truth afford us for the obtaining of the truth? 1. Meditation, or fixing of our thoughts upon the truth. 2. Prayer, which draweth down grace. 3. Exercise and practice of those truths we learn. (A. Farindon, B.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.WEB: Buy the truth, and don't sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. |
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