Proverbs 6:23 Study Bible: For the commandment is a lamp, and the Law is light. Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

◄ Proverbs 6:23 ►

For this commandment is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,

For this commandment is a lamp
The imagery of a lamp is frequently used in Scripture to symbolize guidance and clarity. In ancient times, lamps were essential for navigating the darkness, much like the commandments of God provide moral and spiritual direction. Psalm 119:105 echoes this sentiment: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." The commandment here refers to God's law, which offers wisdom and discernment, helping believers to avoid the pitfalls of sin and error.

this teaching is a light
Light in the Bible often represents truth, purity, and the presence of God. The teaching, or Torah, is seen as illuminating the path of righteousness. In John 8:12, Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world," indicating that His teachings bring understanding and revelation. The light dispels darkness, symbolizing how divine instruction exposes sin and leads to holiness. This aligns with the cultural understanding of light as essential for life and growth.

and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life
Reproofs of discipline refer to correction and instruction that lead to spiritual maturity. In the biblical context, discipline is not merely punitive but is intended for growth and improvement, as seen in Hebrews 12:5-11, which discusses the Lord's discipline as a sign of His love. The "way to life" suggests that accepting correction leads to a fulfilling and righteous life, aligning with the wisdom literature's emphasis on the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). This path to life is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life through His teachings and sacrifice.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Solomon
- Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding.

2. Israel
- The nation to whom the Proverbs were initially addressed, representing God's chosen people who were to live according to His commandments.

3. The Father and Son
- In the context of Proverbs, the father often represents the wise teacher or God, while the son represents the learner or the people of God.

Teaching Points

The Role of God's Commandments
God's commandments serve as a guiding light in our lives, illuminating the path of righteousness and helping us navigate moral and spiritual challenges.

The Importance of Instruction
Instruction is not merely about acquiring knowledge but about shaping character and aligning our lives with God's will.

Embracing Discipline
Discipline, though sometimes uncomfortable, is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. It corrects and refines us, leading us toward a life that honors God.

Living in the Light
As believers, we are called to walk in the light of God's truth, allowing His word to direct our steps and influence our decisions.

The Path to Life
True life, in its fullest sense, is found in adhering to God's ways. His reproofs and corrections are not punitive but life-giving, steering us away from harm and toward eternal life.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does viewing God's commandments as a "lamp" and "light" influence your daily decision-making?

2. In what ways can you incorporate more of God's instruction into your life to ensure you are walking in His light?

3. Reflect on a time when discipline or correction led to positive growth in your spiritual journey. How did it serve as a "way to life"?

4. How can you encourage others in your community to embrace the reproofs of discipline as a means to spiritual maturity?

5. Considering the connection between Proverbs 6:23 and other scriptures like Psalm 119:105 and John 8:12, how do you see the role of Jesus as the light in your life today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 119:105
- This verse also speaks of God's word as a lamp and light, emphasizing the guiding role of Scripture in a believer's life.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
- These verses highlight the usefulness of Scripture for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, aligning with the themes of instruction and discipline in Proverbs 6:23.

John 8:12
- Jesus refers to Himself as the light of the world, connecting the concept of divine guidance and truth to His person and teachings.

Sermons

Our Lamp and Light	Francis Taylor, B. D.	Proverbs 6:23
The Law is Light	G. T. Shedd, D. D.	Proverbs 6:23
Exhortation to Chastity	E. Johnson	Proverbs 6:20-24
Sin and Safety	W. Clarkson	Proverbs 6:20-35

People

Solomon

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Command, Commandment, Corrections, Discipline, Guiding, Instruction, Lamp, Law, Reproofs, Rule, Shining, Teaching, Training

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Proverbs 6:23

     1403   God, revelation
     4020   life, of faith
     4836   light, and people of God
     5926   rebuke
     8244   ethics, and grace
     8419   enlightenment
     8724   doubt, dealing with

Proverbs 6:20-23

5218 authority, in home
7797 teaching

6237 sexual sin, nature of

Proverbs 6:23-29

5714 men

Library

The Talking Book
A Sermon (No. 1017) Delivered on Lord's Day Morning, October 22nd, 1871 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee."--Proverbs 6:22. It is a very happy circumstance when the commandment of our father and the law of our mother are also the commandment of God and the law of the Lord. Happy are they who have a double force to draw them to the right--the bonds of nature, and the cords of grace. They sin with a vengeance who sin both against …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

An Appeal to Children of Godly Parents
A sermon (No. 2406) intended for reading on Lord's Day, March 31st, 1895, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, on Lord's Day evening, March 27th, 1887. "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Talking Book
In order that we may be persuaded so to do, Solomon gives us three telling reasons. He says that God's law, by which I understand the whole run of Scripture, and, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be a guide to us:--"When thou goest, it shall lead thee." It will be a guardian to us: "When thou sleepest"--when thou art defenceless and off thy guard--"it shall keep thee." And it shall also be a dear companion to us: "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee." Any one of these three arguments …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

How Sowers of Strifes and Peacemakers are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 24.) Differently to be admonished are sowers of strifes and peacemakers. For sowers of strifes are to be admonished to perceive whose followers they are. For of the apostate angel it is written, when tares had been sown among the good crop, An enemy hath done this (Matth. xiii. 28). Of a member of him also it is said through Solomon, An apostate person, an unprofitable man, walketh with a perverse mouth, he winketh with his eyes, he beateth with his foot, he speaketh with his finger, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

A Jealous God
I. Reverently, let us remember that THE LORD IS EXCEEDINGLY JEALOUS OF HIS DEITY. Our text is coupled with the command--"Thou shalt worship no other God." When the law was thundered from Sinai, the second commandment received force from the divine jealousy--"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 9: 1863

How Subjects and Prelates are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 5.) Differently to be admonished are subjects and prelates: the former that subjection crush them not, the latter that superior place elate them not: the former that they fail not to fulfil what is commanded them, the latter that they command not more to be fulfilled than is just: the former that they submit humbly, the latter that they preside temperately. For this, which may be understood also figuratively, is said to the former, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: but to …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

"Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day May Bring Forth. "
Prov. xxvii. 1.--"Boast not thyself of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." As man is naturally given to boasting and gloriation in something (for the heart cannot want some object to rest upon and take complacency in, it is framed with such a capacity of employing other things), so there is a strong inclination in man towards the time to come, he hath an immortal appetite, and an appetite of immortality; and therefore his desires usually stretch farther than the present …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

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

In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

"And Watch unto Prayer. "
1 Pet. iv. 7.--"And watch unto prayer." "Watch." A Christian should watch. A Christian is a watchman by office. This duty of watchfulness is frequently commanded and commended in scripture, Matt. xxiv. 42, Mark xiii. 33, 1 Cor. xvi. 13, Eph. vi. 18, 1 Pet. v. 8, Col. iv. 2; Luke xii. 37. David did wait as they that did watch for the morning light. The ministers of the gospel are styled watchmen in scripture and every Christian should be to himself as a minister is to his flock, he should watch over …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

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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