A wise man fears and turns from evilThe concept of wisdom in the Bible often begins with the fear of the Lord (
Proverbs 9:10). This fear is not terror but a reverent awe and respect for God's holiness and authority. The wise man recognizes the destructive nature of sin and actively chooses to avoid it. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of repentance and turning away from sin (
Matthew 4:17). The act of turning from evil is a conscious decision, reflecting a heart aligned with God's will. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, wisdom was highly valued, often associated with living a life that honors God and adheres to His commandments. The geographical setting of Israel, surrounded by pagan nations, made it crucial for the Israelites to distinguish themselves by adhering to God's laws and avoiding the evil practices of their neighbors.
but a fool is careless and reckless
In contrast, the fool in biblical literature is often characterized by a lack of discernment and disregard for God's commandments. The fool's carelessness and recklessness indicate a life lived without consideration of the consequences of sin. This behavior is frequently condemned in the wisdom literature, as it leads to destruction and separation from God (Proverbs 1:7, 10:23). The historical context of Israel, with its covenant relationship with God, underscores the seriousness of such behavior. The fool's actions are not just personal failings but a breach of the covenant, which had communal implications. The New Testament echoes this sentiment, warning against living according to the flesh and urging believers to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-21). The fool's path is ultimately one of spiritual death, contrasting sharply with the life and peace promised to those who follow Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Wise ManRepresents individuals who possess godly wisdom, characterized by reverence for God and discernment in avoiding evil.
2.
FoolSymbolizes those who lack wisdom, often acting without consideration of consequences, leading to reckless behavior.
3.
EvilRefers to moral wrongs and sinful actions that are contrary to God's will.
4.
FearIn this context, it implies a reverential awe and respect for God, leading to a conscious decision to avoid sin.
5.
Turning AwayThe act of deliberately choosing to avoid or withdraw from sinful behavior or situations.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Godly FearA wise person understands the significance of fearing the Lord, which leads to a conscious effort to avoid evil. This fear is not terror but a deep respect and reverence for God's holiness and authority.
Discernment in Daily ChoicesWisdom involves recognizing situations that could lead to sin and making deliberate choices to turn away. This requires vigilance and a heart attuned to God's guidance.
Consequences of RecklessnessThe fool's carelessness and recklessness lead to spiritual and often physical harm. Understanding the consequences of our actions is crucial in living a life that honors God.
Seeking WisdomBelievers are encouraged to seek wisdom through prayer, scripture, and the counsel of mature Christians. This pursuit is essential for making decisions that align with God's will.
Living Wisely in a Fallen WorldIn a world filled with temptations, living wisely requires constant reliance on God's strength and wisdom to navigate challenges and avoid evil.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 14:16?
2.How does Proverbs 14:16 define the behavior of a "wise man"?
3.What actions characterize a "fool" according to Proverbs 14:16?
4.How can we apply Proverbs 14:16 to avoid reckless decisions today?
5.What other Proverbs emphasize the importance of fearing the Lord?
6.How does fearing the Lord lead to wisdom in daily life?
7.How does Proverbs 14:16 define wisdom and its role in avoiding danger?
8.What does Proverbs 14:16 suggest about the relationship between fear and wisdom?
9.How does Proverbs 14:16 contrast the wise and the fool in decision-making?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 14?
11.What does Proverbs 1:7 mean by "fools despise wisdom"?
12.What is the Doctrine of the Mean?
13.What does Proverbs 1:7 mean by 'fools despise wisdom'?
14.Proverbs 9:6 urges abandoning foolishness to truly live. How can 'foolishness' be objectively defined or measured in a modern, evidence-based society?What Does Proverbs 14:16 Mean
A wise man• “A wise man” (Proverbs 14:16a) describes someone who loves and lives by God’s truth. Wisdom in Proverbs always begins with “the fear of the LORD” (Proverbs 9:10).
• Instead of trusting his own instincts, the wise person lets Scripture light his path (Psalm 119:105) and accepts correction (Proverbs 9:8-9; 13:1).
• He weighs decisions prayerfully, remembering that “He who walks with the wise grows wise” (Proverbs 13:20).
Fears• “Fears” does not mean cowering terror but reverent awareness of God’s holiness and justice. “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27).
• This reverence keeps the heart humble: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7).
• It produces safety, not anxiety: “He who fears the commandment will be rewarded” (Proverbs 13:13).
And turns from evil• Wisdom is active. “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself” (Proverbs 22:3).
• Turning means changing direction—repentance. Paul echoes this: “Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness” (2 Timothy 2:22).
• Daily choices reflect this posture: “By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil” (Proverbs 16:6).
But a fool• Scripture paints the fool as one who rejects God’s counsel: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes” (Proverbs 12:15).
• He shrugs off correction (Proverbs 15:5) and mocks sin (Proverbs 14:9).
• The contrast is moral, not intellectual; the issue is rebellion versus submission.
Is careless and reckless• “Careless” pictures a false sense of security; “reckless” shows headlong plunge. “Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays folly” (Proverbs 13:16).
• Driven by impulse, the fool “trusts in himself” (Proverbs 28:26) and “hastens with his feet and misses the way” (Proverbs 19:2).
• Consequences follow: “A fool’s mouth invites ruin” (Proverbs 18:6).
summaryProverbs 14:16 draws a sharp line: wisdom reveres God, anticipates danger, and deliberately avoids sin; folly scoffs, rushes ahead, and suffers harm. Walking in holy fear keeps the heart guarded and the path clear, while careless recklessness exposes the fool to needless ruin.
(16)
A wise man feareth.--(Comp.
Proverbs 3:7.)
The fool rageth.--Gives way to passionate excitement, and "is confident" in his own wisdom; he has no "quietness and confidence" (Isaiah 30:15) in God.
Verse 16. -
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil (
Proverbs 22:3). In
Proverbs 3:7 we had, "Fear the Lord, and depart from evil;" but here the idea is different. A wise man fears the evil that lurks in everything, and examines and ponders actions by the standard of religion, and is thus saved from many evils which arise from hastiness and inadvertence.
The fool rageth, and is confident (
Proverbs 21:24;
Proverbs 28:26). The fool easily falls into a rage, and has no control over himself, and is confident in his own wisdom, in contrast to the wise man, who has trust in God, and is calm and thoughtful (
Isaiah 30:15). Revised Version, "beareth himself insolently, and is confident;" but, as Nowack remarks, the word (
mithabber), where it occurs elsewhere, means, "to be excited," "to be in a passion" (comp.
Proverbs 21:24;
Proverbs 26:17;
Psalm 78:21, 59, 62), and this usual signification gives a good meaning here. Vulgate,
transilit, "he overleaps" all laws and restrictions. The LXX., by transposition of the letters, reads
mithareh, and translates
μίγνυται," The fool trusting to himself mixes himself up with sinners."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
A wiseחָכָ֣ם(ḥā·ḵām)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450:Wise[man] fearsיָ֭רֵא(yā·rê)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3373:Fearing, reverentand turnsוְסָ֣ר(wə·sār)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5493:To turn asidefrom evil,מֵרָ֑ע(mê·rā‘)Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451:Bad, evilbut a foolוּ֝כְסִ֗יל(ū·ḵə·sîl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684:Stupid fellow, dullard, foolis carelessמִתְעַבֵּ֥ר(miṯ·‘ab·bêr)Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5674:To pass over, through, or by, pass onand reckless.וּבוֹטֵֽחַ׃(ū·ḇō·w·ṭê·aḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 982:To trust, be confident, sure
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 14:16 A wise man fears and shuns evil (Prov. Pro Pr) 
