Proverbs 11:19
Genuine righteousness leads to life, but the pursuit of evil brings death.
Genuine righteousness
The Hebrew word for "righteousness" is "צְדָקָה" (tsedaqah), which conveys a sense of justice, rightness, and moral integrity. In the ancient Hebrew context, righteousness was not merely about personal piety but involved living in a way that was just and fair to others, reflecting God's character. "Genuine" emphasizes authenticity, suggesting that true righteousness is not superficial or hypocritical but deeply rooted in one's heart and actions. This righteousness aligns with God's will and leads to a life that is fulfilling and blessed.

leads to life
The phrase "leads to life" indicates a path or direction. In Hebrew, "life" (חַיִּים, chayyim) often refers to more than just physical existence; it encompasses a quality of life that includes peace, prosperity, and spiritual well-being. The righteous path is one that aligns with God's design and results in a life that is abundant and eternal. This reflects the biblical principle that obedience to God's commandments brings blessings and life, both in the present and in the hereafter.

but the pursuit of evil
The word "pursuit" suggests an active, intentional effort. In Hebrew, "evil" (רָע, ra) encompasses anything that is morally wrong, harmful, or contrary to God's nature. The pursuit of evil implies a deliberate choice to follow a path that is against God's commandments. This pursuit is not passive but involves a conscious decision to engage in actions that are destructive and sinful. The contrast with "genuine righteousness" highlights the moral choice each person faces.

brings death
"Death" (מָוֶת, mavet) in Hebrew can refer to physical death, but it also signifies spiritual death or separation from God. The consequence of pursuing evil is not just the end of physical life but a spiritual demise that affects one's relationship with God. This reflects the biblical teaching that sin leads to death, as seen in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death." The verse serves as a warning that the choices we make have profound implications for our spiritual destiny.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
- Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often contrast the outcomes of righteous and wicked living.

2. Israel
- The nation to whom the Proverbs were originally addressed. The Israelites were God's chosen people, and the wisdom literature was intended to guide them in living according to God's laws.

3. The Righteous
- In the context of Proverbs, the righteous are those who live in accordance with God's commandments and seek to embody His character.

4. The Wicked
- Those who pursue evil and live contrary to God's ways, often leading to destructive outcomes.

5. Life and Death
- These are not just physical states but represent spiritual conditions and eternal destinies in the wisdom literature of the Bible.
Teaching Points
The Path of Righteousness
Genuine righteousness is not just about outward actions but involves a heart aligned with God's will. It leads to a fulfilling and eternal life.

Consequences of Evil
Pursuing evil may offer temporary pleasure but ultimately leads to spiritual and sometimes physical death. This serves as a warning to evaluate our choices and their long-term impacts.

Wisdom in Decision-Making
Proverbs encourages us to seek wisdom in our daily decisions, understanding that our choices have spiritual consequences.

Eternal Perspective
This verse reminds us to live with an eternal perspective, valuing righteousness as it aligns with God's eternal kingdom.

Role of Jesus in Righteousness
As Christians, we understand that true righteousness is found in Christ. Our pursuit of righteousness is empowered by His Spirit within us.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of "genuine righteousness" in Proverbs 11:19 challenge your current understanding of what it means to live a righteous life?

2. In what ways can the pursuit of evil subtly infiltrate our lives, and how can we guard against it?

3. Reflect on a decision you made recently. How did it align with the path of righteousness described in Proverbs 11:19?

4. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament enhance our understanding of the life and death dichotomy presented in this Proverb?

5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your daily choices reflect a pursuit of genuine righteousness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 12:28
- This verse also speaks about the path of righteousness leading to life, reinforcing the idea that living rightly according to God's standards results in life.

Romans 6:23
- Paul echoes the theme of life and death, contrasting the wages of sin with the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 7:13-14
- Jesus speaks of the narrow path that leads to life, which aligns with the idea that genuine righteousness is the path to true life.
Pursuing EvilR. Wardlaw.Proverbs 11:19
The Natural History of EvilThomas Wood.Proverbs 11:19
The Reward of RighteousnessAnon.Proverbs 11:19
The Tendencies of ConductE. Johnson Proverbs 11:19
The Pricelessness of IntegrityE. Johnson Proverbs 11:3-5, 8-11, 19, 20, 28, 31
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Attain, Attains, Bring, Death, Die, Evil, Gets, Gives, Goes, Pursues, Pursueth, Pursuing, Righteous, Righteousness, Rightly, Steadfast, Stedfast, Tendeth, Truly
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 11:19

     6026   sin, judgment on
     6139   deadness, spiritual
     9023   death, unbelievers
     9105   last things

Library
The Present Recompense
Chester Cathedral, Nave Service, Evening. May 1872. Proverbs xi. 31. "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner." This is the key-note of the Book of Proverbs--that men are punished or rewarded according to their deeds in this life; nay, it is the key-note of the whole Old Testament. "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers; the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil, to root out
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

The Waterer Watered
A sermon (No. 626) delivered on Sunday Morning, April 23, 1865, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "He that watereth shall be watered also himself."--Proverbs 11:25. The general principle is that in living for the good of others, we shall be profited also ourselves. We must not isolate our own interests, but feel that we live for others. This teaching is sustained by the analogy of nature, for in nature there is a law that no one thing can be independent of the rest of
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Withholding Corn
A sermon (No. 642) delivered on Sunday morning, July 30, 1865, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it."--Proverbs 11:26. If I dared, I should always preach upon the comfortable promises and gracious doctrines of God's Word. I find it most delightful and easy work to expatiate upon those themes of revelation which abound in sweetness, and are full of savor and preciousness
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Soul Winner
A sermon (No. 1292) delivered on Thursday evening, January 20th, 1876, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."--Proverbs 11:30. I had very great joy last night--many of you know why but some do not. We held our annual meeting of the church, and it was a very pleasant sight to see so many brethren and sisters knit together in the heartiest love, welded together as one mass by common sympathies,
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Soul Winning
A sermon (No. 850) delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "He that winneth souls is wise."--Proverbs 11:30. The text does not say "he that winneth sovereigns is wise," though no doubt he thinks himself wise, and perhaps in a certain grovelling sense in these days of competition he must be so; but such wisdom is of the earth and ends with the earth; and there is another world where the currencies of Europe will not be accepted, nor their past possession be any sign
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

To Win Souls Requires Wisdom.
Text.--He that winneth souls is wise.--Proverbs xi. 30. THE most common definition of wisdom is, that it is the choice of the best end and the selection of the most appropriate means for the accomplishment of that end--the best adaptation of means to secure a desired end. "He that winneth souls," God says, "is wise." The object of this evening's lecture is to direct Christians in the use of means for accomplishing their infinitely desirable end, the salvation of souls. To-night I shall confine my
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

A Wise Minister Will be Successful.
Text.--He that winneth souls is wise.--Proverbs xi. 30. I PREACHED last Friday evening from the same text, on the method of dealing with sinners by private Christians. My object at this time is to take up the more public means of grace, with particular reference to the DUTIES OF MINISTERS. As I observed in my last lecture, wisdom is the choice and pursuit of the best end by the most appropriate means. The great end for which the Christian Ministry was appointed, is to glorify God in the salvation
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

How to Preach the Gospel.
Text.--He that winneth souls is wise.--Proverbs xi. 30. ONE of the last remarks in my last lecture, was this, that the text ascribes conversion to men. Winning souls is converting men. This evening I design to show, I. That several passages of Scripture ascribe conversion to men. II. That this is consistent with other passages which ascribe conversion to God. III. I purpose to discuss several further particulars which are deemed important, in regard to the preaching of the Gospel, and which show
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR As the tree is known by its fruit, so is the state of a man's heart known by his desires. The desires of the righteous are the touchstone or standard of Christian sincerity--the evidence of the new birth--the spiritual barometer of faith and grace--and the springs of obedience. Christ and him crucified is the ground of all our hopes--the foundation upon which all our desires after God and holiness are built--and the root
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

How those are to be Admonished who Decline the Office of Preaching Out of Too Great Humility, and those who Seize on it with Precipitate Haste.
(Admonition 26.) Differently to be admonished are those who, though able to preach worthily, are afraid by reason of excessive humility, and those whom imperfection or age forbids to preach, and yet precipitancy impells. For those who, though able to preach with profit, still shrink back through excessive humility are to be admonished to gather from consideration of a lesser matter how faulty they are in a greater one. For, if they were to hide from their indigent neighbours money which they possessed
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Sanctions of Moral Law, Natural and Governmental.
In the discussion of this subject, I shall show-- I. What constitute the sanctions of law. 1. The sanctions of law are the motives to obedience, the natural and the governmental consequences or results of obedience and of disobedience. 2. They are remuneratory, that is, they promise reward to obedience. 3. They are vindicatory, that is, they threaten the disobedient with punishment. 4. They are natural, that is, happiness is to some extent naturally connected with, and the necessary consequence of,
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Jesus, My Rock.
When the storm and the tempest are raging around me, Oh! where shall I flee to be safe from their shock? There are walls which no mortal hands built to surround me, A Refuge Eternal,--'Tis JESUS MY ROCK! When my heart is all sorrow, and trials aggrieve me, To whom can I safely my secrets unlock? No bosom (save one) has the power to relieve me, The bosom which bled for me, JESUS MY ROCK! When Life's gloomy curtain, at last, shall close o'er me, And the chill hand of death unexpectedly knock, I will
John Ross Macduff—The Cities of Refuge: or, The Name of Jesus

George Muller, and the Secret of His
POWER IN PRAYER WHEN God wishes anew to teach His Church a truth that is not being understood or practised, He mostly does so by raising some man to be in word and deed a living witness to its blessedness. And so God has raised up in this nineteenth century, among others, George Muller to be His witness that He is indeed the Hearer of prayer. I know of no way in which the principal truths of God's word in regard to prayer can be more effectually illustrated and established than a short review
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

We Shall not be Curious in the Ranking of the Duties in which Christian Love...
We shall not be curious in the ranking of the duties in which Christian love should exercise itself. All the commandments of the second table are but branches of it: they might be reduced all to the works of righteousness and of mercy. But truly these are interwoven through other. Though mercy uses to be restricted to the showing of compassion upon men in misery, yet there is a righteousness in that mercy, and there is mercy in the most part of the acts of righteousness, as in not judging rashly,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
TIMOTHY after his Conversion to the Christian Faith, being found to be a Man of great Parts, Learning, and Piety, and so every way qualified for the work of the Ministry, St. Paul who had planted a Church at Ephesus the Metropolis or chief City of all Asia, left him to dress and propagate it, after his departure from it, giving him Power to ordain Elders or Priests, and to visit and exercise Jurisdiction over them, to see they did not teach false Doctrines, 1 Tim. i. 3. That they be unblameable in
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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