The concept of "sharpens" in the Bible is most prominently featured in the context of interpersonal relationships and spiritual growth. The term is often associated with the idea of improvement, refinement, and the honing of one's character and abilities through interaction with others.

Proverbs 27:17
The most well-known biblical reference to sharpening is found in Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" . This verse highlights the importance of fellowship and accountability among believers. Just as iron tools are sharpened through friction and contact with other iron, individuals are refined and improved through meaningful relationships. This sharpening process involves encouragement, correction, and mutual edification, leading to spiritual growth and maturity.

Spiritual Growth and Accountability
The principle of sharpening is integral to the Christian life, emphasizing the need for community and accountability. Believers are encouraged to engage in relationships that challenge and inspire them to grow in their faith. This process often involves constructive criticism, shared wisdom, and the mutual pursuit of holiness. The New Testament further underscores this concept in passages such as Hebrews 10:24-25, which urges believers to "consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds" and to "not give up meeting together" .

Discipleship and Mentorship
The idea of sharpening is also closely related to discipleship and mentorship within the church. Mature believers are called to invest in the lives of others, guiding them in their spiritual journey. This relationship mirrors the sharpening process, where the mentor provides guidance, support, and correction, helping the mentee to develop a deeper understanding of God's Word and a stronger faith.

Wisdom and Discernment
Sharpening is not limited to personal relationships but extends to the pursuit of wisdom and discernment. Proverbs frequently associates wisdom with the ability to discern and make sound judgments. In this sense, the process of sharpening involves the cultivation of a discerning mind, capable of distinguishing between right and wrong, truth and falsehood. This is achieved through the study of Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Practical Application
In practical terms, believers are encouraged to seek out relationships and communities that foster spiritual growth. This includes participating in small groups, Bible studies, and church activities where mutual sharpening can occur. Additionally, Christians are called to be open to correction and willing to offer constructive feedback to others, always with the aim of building up the body of Christ.

In summary, the biblical concept of sharpening emphasizes the transformative power of relationships and community in the life of a believer. Through the process of mutual edification, Christians are equipped to grow in wisdom, character, and faith, ultimately becoming more effective witnesses for Christ.2302a. chadah -- to be or grow sharp
... to be or grow sharp. Transliteration: chadah Short Definition: sharpens. Word Origin
a prim. root Definition to be or grow sharp NASB Word Usage sharpens (2). ...
/hebrew/2302a.htm - 5k

Successful Methods of Public Speaking
... Himself a master of debate, he said, "He that wrestles with us strengthens our
nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper. ...
/.../successful methods of public speaking/successful methods of public speaking.htm

Lamps and Bushels
... 'There is nothing covered but that it should be made known.' The veil sharpens
attention, stimulates curiosity, quickens effort, and so becomes positively ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/lamps and bushels.htm

The Measure of Immeasurable Power
... He can have little depth of religion who has not often felt that the transcendent
glory of that promised future sharpens the doubt"'and can I ever hope to ...
/.../the measure of immeasurable power.htm

The Translation of Elijah and the Ascension of Christ
... The real parallel makes the divergences the more remarkable, for likeness sharpens
our perception of unlikeness, and no contrast is so forcible as the contrast ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the translation of elijah and.htm

That the Preceding Desire Will Much Increase the Union of the ...
... The desire which precedes enjoyment, sharpens and intensifies the feeling of it,
and by how much the desire was more urgent and powerful, by so much more ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter x that the preceding.htm

August the Twenty-Third not Lost in the Flock
... Every day I spend with my Good Shepherd sharpens my discernments, enables me to
see through the outer show of things, and to discriminate between the false and ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/august the twenty-third not lost.htm

Epistle xx. To Mauricius Augustus.
... of those that concern us not, we associate our sins with the barbaric forces and
our fault, which weighs down the forces of the republic, sharpens the swords ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xx to mauricius augustus.htm

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
... This law, which gives strength to sin, and sharpens the sting of death, is the law
of our creation, as connected with the penalty, which God has annexed to the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xliv triumph over death.htm

On the Departure of Flavian, Bishop of Antioch, who was Gone on an ...
... the sailor draws his vessel to the deep; and the soldier burnishes his arms, and
makes ready his steed for the battle; and the husbandman sharpens his sickle ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iii on the departure.htm

The First Book
... For he says: "The weakness of our flesh sharpens the vigor of the mind, and when
our limbs are weakened bodily strength is transformed into spiritual virtue. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

Sharpens (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sharpens (2 Occurrences). ... He has gnashed on me with
his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me. (WEB RSV). ...
/s/sharpens.htm - 6k

Friend's (3 Occurrences)
... you shall not wrong one another. (See NAS). Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens
iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance. (WEB). ...
/f/friend's.htm - 7k

Sharper (4 Occurrences)

/s/sharper.htm - 8k

Sharp (115 Occurrences)
... He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me. ... (BBE).
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance. ...
/s/sharp.htm - 38k

Countenance (67 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS). Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens
his friend's countenance. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/c/countenance.htm - 30k

Opponent (13 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Job 16:9 He has torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me. He has gnashed
on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me. (See NIV). ...
/o/opponent.htm - 10k

Glares (1 Occurrence)
... Job 16:9 He has torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me
with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me. (See NAS). ...
/g/glares.htm - 6k

Gnashed (3 Occurrences)
... Job 16:9 He has torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with
his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me. (WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV). ...
/g/gnashed.htm - 7k

Whet (5 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The act of whetting. 4. (n.) That which whets or sharpens; esp., an
appetizer. Multi-Version Concordance Whet (5 Occurrences). ...
/w/whet.htm - 8k

Fastens (2 Occurrences)
... Job 16:9 He has torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me
with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me. (See NIV). ...
/f/fastens.htm - 7k

What does it mean that iron sharpens iron? | GotQuestions.org

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