Proverbs 10:23 #VOTD | Commentary + Memorization Tutorial (Video)

Verse of the Day 3.1.18: Proverbs 10:23

1. Text
2. C4C Translation
3. Commentary
4. Memorization

Today, C4C is studying Proverbs 10:22-32. Our desires and conduct are outgrowths of our spiritual character.

Text

23 כִּשְׂח֣וֹק לִ֭כְסִיל עֲשׂ֣וֹת זִמָּ֑ה וְ֝חָכְמָ֗ה לְאִ֣ישׁ תְּבוּנָֽה׃¹

23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,
but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.²

C4C Translation

As pleasure for fools is to enact wicked schemes

So is wisdom for a person of understanding

Wicked Schemes

The noun translated wicked schemes (זִמָּה | zimmâ) means “plan, device, wickedness.”³ With the exception of Job 17:11,⁴the word usually denotes “morally objectionable behavior.”⁵

Commentary

This verse is located in a section of Proverbs that concerns “the Speech and Expectations of the Righteous and the Wicked” (Prov 10:22-32).⁶ The first subunit (“Pain and Pleasure”) of this section is bracketed by proverbs featuring synthetic parallelism (employing both lines to drive home the same point) (Prov 10:22, 26), while the middle verses feature antithetical parallelism (employing a contrast between lines to drive home the point) (Prov 10:23-25).⁷

This proverb “admonishes the son [cf. Prov 1:8, 10:1, etc.] to guard his inner spiritual state, which is decisive in determining what kind of activity gives pleasure” (cf. Prov 4:16; 15:21a; 21:10a).⁸

In other words, our spiritual character manifests itself in our conduct; it determines what actions we enjoy. As Jesus said, a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Our spiritual roots are revealed not merely by our words, but in the fruit of our deeds (Mt 7:18-20 cf. Mt 7:21-23, Jas 2:14-26).

Moreover, in the words of Dr. William Lane Craig, “right living presupposes right thinking about God.”⁹ Our actions are influenced by our ideology. And, if our ideology is not grounded in good theology, we may consistently engage in — and even enjoy! — things that are not of God (i.e., wickedness). For, despite our moral inclinations, God is the ultimate standard of morality (Prov 16:2, 21:2).

Let us delight not only in wisdom, but in the One from whom wisdom begins (Prov 1:7, 9:10, etc.).

Memorization

Memorize Proverbs 10:23 after watching a brief video tutorial demonstrating the How to Memorize Any Bible Verse in Less Than Five Minutes method below: