The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. The wickedIn the Hebrew text, the word for "wicked" is "רָשָׁע" (rasha). This term is often used throughout the Old Testament to describe those who are morally wrong, guilty, or hostile towards God. The wicked are those who live in opposition to God's laws and principles. Historically, the wicked have been seen as those who bring chaos and disorder into society, often leading to their own downfall. In the context of Proverbs, the wicked are contrasted with the righteous, highlighting the moral and ethical divide between those who follow God's ways and those who do not. become a ransom
The Hebrew word for "ransom" is "כֹּפֶר" (koper), which refers to a price paid for redemption or atonement. In ancient times, a ransom was often a sum of money or a valuable item given to secure the release of someone from captivity or punishment. In this verse, the wicked becoming a ransom suggests that their downfall or punishment serves as a means of deliverance or protection for the righteous. This reflects a divine justice where the consequences of the wicked's actions ultimately benefit those who are faithful to God. for the righteous
The term "righteous" in Hebrew is "צַדִּיק" (tzaddik), which denotes someone who is just, lawful, and in right standing with God. The righteous are those who live according to God's commandments and seek to uphold His standards in their lives. In the biblical context, righteousness is not just about personal morality but also about maintaining justice and fairness in the community. The righteous are often seen as the foundation of a stable and prosperous society, and their protection is a priority in God's divine order. and the faithless
The word "faithless" is translated from the Hebrew "בֹּגֵד" (boged), which means treacherous or deceitful. The faithless are those who betray trust, whether it be in human relationships or in their relationship with God. They are characterized by a lack of loyalty and integrity, often leading to their own ruin. In the biblical narrative, the faithless are frequently warned of the consequences of their actions, as their betrayal ultimately leads to their downfall. for the upright
The Hebrew word for "upright" is "יָשָׁר" (yashar), meaning straight, level, or right. The upright are those who live with integrity and honesty, aligning their lives with God's truth. They are often depicted as individuals who walk a straight path, avoiding the pitfalls of deceit and corruption. In Proverbs, the upright are contrasted with the faithless, emphasizing the blessings and protection that come from living a life of integrity. The upright are assured of God's favor and are often used as examples of the ideal life that God desires for His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. The WickedIn the context of Proverbs, the wicked are those who live in opposition to God's commandments, often characterized by deceit, violence, and immorality. 2. The RighteousThese are individuals who live in accordance with God's laws, seeking to embody virtues such as justice, mercy, and humility. 3. The FaithlessSimilar to the wicked, the faithless are those who lack fidelity to God and His ways, often pursuing their own desires over divine will. 4. The UprightThose who are morally and ethically sound, living lives that reflect God's truth and righteousness. Teaching Points Divine JusticeGod's justice ensures that the wicked will ultimately face consequences for their actions, while the righteous are protected and vindicated. Moral AccountabilityThis proverb reminds believers of the importance of living righteously, as God sees and rewards the upright while holding the wicked accountable. God's SovereigntyThe verse illustrates God's control over the moral order, where He can use the wicked as a means to deliver the righteous. Encouragement for the RighteousBelievers can find comfort in knowing that their faithfulness is not in vain, as God values and protects those who are upright. Warning to the WickedThis serves as a caution to those living in wickedness, urging them to turn from their ways and seek righteousness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of the wicked being a ransom for the righteous reflect God's justice in the world today? 2. In what ways can we see the protection of the righteous in our own lives or in the lives of others? 3. How does understanding the original Hebrew terms for "wicked" and "righteous" deepen our comprehension of this proverb? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we are living as the "upright" described in this verse? 5. How do other scriptures, such as Isaiah 43:3-4, reinforce the message of Proverbs 21:18 regarding God's valuation of the righteous? Connections to Other Scriptures Proverbs 11:8This verse also speaks to the idea of the wicked being a ransom for the righteous, emphasizing the deliverance of the righteous from trouble. Isaiah 43:3-4God speaks of giving others in exchange for His people, highlighting the value He places on the righteous. Psalm 37:28This passage underscores God's protection and preservation of the righteous, contrasting it with the fate of the wicked. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Atonement, Dealer, Deceit, Evil-doer, Faithless, Price, Ransom, Righteous, Stead, Transgressor, Treacherous, Unfaithful, Upright, Wicked, WorkerDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 21:18 8840 unfaithfulness, to God Library Definition of Actual Grace
1. GENERAL NOTION OF GRACE.--The best way to arrive at a correct definition of actual grace is by the synthetic method. We therefore begin with the general notion of grace. Like "nature,"(3) grace (gratia, {GREEK SMALL LETTER CHI}{GREEK SMALL LETTER ALPHA WITH OXIA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER RHO}{GREEK SMALL LETTER IOTA}{GREEK SMALL LETTER FINAL SIGMA}) is a word of wide reach, used in a great variety of senses. Habert(4) enumerates no less than fourteen; which, however, may be reduced to four. a) Subjectively, …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and HabitualEpistle xxi. To Constantina Augusta .
To Constantina Augusta [1593] . Gregory to Constantina, &c. Almighty God, who holds in His right hand the heart of your Piety, both protects us through you and prepares for you rewards of eternal remuneration for temporal deeds. For I have learnt from the letters of the deacon Sabinianus my responsalis with what justice your Serenity is interested in the cause of the blessed Prince of the apostles Peter against certain persons who are proudly humble and feignedly kind. And I trust in the bounty …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Epistle Cvi. To Syagrius, Ætherius, virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops .
To Syagrius, Ætherius, Virgilius, and Desiderius, Bishops [65] . Gregory to Syagrius of Augustodunum (Autun), Etherius of Lugdunum (Lyons), Virgilius of Aretale (Arles), and Desiderius of Vienna (Vienne), bishops of Gaul. A paribus. Our Head, which is Christ, has to this end willed us to be His members, that through the bond of charity and faith He might make us one body in Himself. And to Him it befits us so to adhere in heart, that, since without Him we can be nothing, through Him we may …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others, but Keep their Own; and those who Give of their Own, yet Seize
(Admonition 22.) Differently to be admonished are those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own, and those who give of what they have, and yet desist not from seizing on what belongs to others. Those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own are to be admonished to consider carefully that the earth out of which they are taken is common to all men, and therefore brings forth nourishment for all in common. Vainly, then, do those suppose …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "And the Life. " How Christ is the Life.
This, as the former, being spoken indefinitely, may be universally taken, as relating both to such as are yet in the state of nature, and to such as are in the state of grace, and so may be considered in reference to both, and ground three points of truth, both in reference to the one, and in reference to the other; to wit, 1. That our case is such as we stand in need of his help, as being the Life. 2. That no other way but by him, can we get that supply of life, which we stand in need of, for he …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life An Analysis of Augustin's Writings against the Donatists.
The object of this chapter is to present a rudimentary outline and summary of all that Augustin penned or spoke against those traditional North African Christians whom he was pleased to regard as schismatics. It will be arranged, so far as may be, in chronological order, following the dates suggested by the Benedictine edition. The necessary brevity precludes anything but a very meagre treatment of so considerable a theme. The writer takes no responsibility for the ecclesiological tenets of the …
St. Augustine—writings in connection with the donatist controversy. Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 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 Links Proverbs 21:18 NIVProverbs 21:18 NLTProverbs 21:18 ESVProverbs 21:18 NASBProverbs 21:18 KJV
Proverbs 21:18 Commentaries
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