Proverbs Chapter 28
The Blessings and the Courage of Wisdom
Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
This verse contrasts the inner condition of the wicked with that of the righteous. The wicked are described as fleeing when no one pursues, meaning they live in constant anxiety, fear, and unease. Their own conscience becomes their tormentor, and they imagine threats even where none exist. This is the inevitable consequence of guilt and alienation from God. Sin brings inward instability, and a man who rejects righteousness can never enjoy peace. As it is written in Isaiah 57:21, “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”
The righteous, however, are bold as a lion. This boldness is not pride or arrogance but confidence rooted in the assurance of being right with God. A clear conscience before the Lord gives the believer courage that no earthly power can shake. The lion fears nothing because it is the king of beasts; likewise, the righteous stand firm because they know God is with them. In Psalm 27:1 it is written, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Adam knew no fear until sin entered his heart. Once guilt came, fear followed; but when guilt is removed by grace, courage and confidence return. This is the boldness that comes from righteousness through faith in Christ. Both states—the fear of the wicked and the boldness of the righteous—are grounded in reality. The wicked truly have reason to fear because judgment awaits, while the righteous have reason to stand firm because God Himself is their defender.
Proverbs 28:2
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof, but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
When a land falls into moral and spiritual decay, one of the signs of divine displeasure is unstable and excessive leadership. “Many princes” signifies constant turnover, confusion, and corruption in government. When sin abounds, leadership becomes fragmented, each ruler pursuing his own interests, and the nation suffers instability. This proverb speaks powerfully to the truth that political disorder is often a symptom of spiritual rebellion. When righteousness departs from a nation, God allows confusion to reign.
Conversely, when a man of understanding and knowledge leads, righteousness is established and the nation is strengthened. Such a man rules with justice, guided by wisdom and moral integrity. This is a blessing from God to any people. A wise leader brings stability, fairness, and prosperity, but wicked rulers bring turmoil. Scripture supports this in Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”
A nation’s well-being is therefore tied not only to the competence of its rulers but to the moral and spiritual state of its people. When transgression dominates, no form of government can save it. When righteousness prevails, even simple leadership endures and prospers.
Proverbs 28:3
A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
It is a grievous thing when those who know poverty use what little power they have to exploit others in the same condition. One might expect a poor man to have compassion on those who share his struggles, but Scripture reveals that sin hardens the heart regardless of social class. A poor man without righteousness can be as oppressive and cruel as the rich. The Lord Jesus illustrated this in Matthew 18:23–34 through the parable of the unforgiving servant, who, though forgiven a great debt, refused to forgive a small one and thus became a tormentor himself.
The poor who oppress the poor are likened to a destructive rainstorm that sweeps through and leaves no food. Instead of refreshing the land, it ruins the crops. Likewise, a man of low estate who turns his hand against his fellow poor becomes an agent of ruin rather than relief. Such a man lacks gratitude for God’s mercy and fails to reflect His compassion. Proverbs 14:31 declares, “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker, but he that honoureth Him hath mercy on the poor.”
It is better to be poor and righteous than to be elevated through injustice. The one who uses his position to crush others brings devastation not only upon those around him but also upon himself, for God will not overlook the oppression of the needy.
Proverbs 28:4
They that forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them.
This proverb presents the moral division between those who abandon God’s law and those who remain faithful to it. When a people or individual forsakes the divine law, they inevitably end up admiring and defending the wicked. In doing so, they call evil good and good evil, fulfilling the warning of Isaiah 5:20, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.” When moral absolutes are abandoned, relativism takes over, and wickedness is praised simply because it is tolerated or popular. Without divine revelation as the standard, mankind descends into confusion, where nothing truly merits condemnation. The tyrant is excused because he seems effective, and the immoral man is celebrated because his behavior is “interesting” or “brave.”
It is a fearful progression to sin, more fearful to delight in sin, and still more dreadful to defend it. To forsake the law is to reject God’s standard and side with the rebellion of evil men. But those who keep the law take a stand against this decay. They understand that righteousness must actively resist wickedness. As Romans 13:3–4 teaches, “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. For he is the minister of God to thee for good.” God’s design of authority and order exists to restrain evil, not to celebrate it.
The believer must therefore contend with evil rather than compromise with it. This does not always mean open conflict, but it does require moral courage, as exemplified by Martin Luther, who resisted the corrupt religious powers of his day even at great personal cost. The path is clear: one either forsakes God’s law or keeps it. There is no neutral ground. Every heart is divided along this spiritual line, and each person must decide whether to stand with righteousness or fall with the wicked.
Proverbs 28:5
Evil men understand not judgment, but they that seek the Lord understand all things.
The wicked live in moral blindness. They are incapable of perceiving true justice because their hearts are hardened and their consciences seared. Sin corrupts their reasoning, and self-interest replaces truth. As John 3:19–20 declares, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” Evil men only recognize as “just” what benefits themselves, and they reject any standard that holds them accountable before God.
Those who seek the Lord, however, understand all things necessary for life and godliness. This does not mean they are omniscient, but that through the fear of the Lord they gain discernment and wisdom. The humble believer, taught by the Holy Spirit and grounded in Scripture, perceives truth where the proud scholar remains blind. Psalm 111:10 affirms this: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments.” When a man seeks the Lord, he begins to see the world as God sees it. What is dark and confusing to others becomes clear, for divine light reveals what human wisdom cannot.
Thus, the difference between the righteous and the wicked lies not in intellect but in submission. The wicked reject God’s authority and lose all true understanding, while the righteous submit to His will and are enlightened by His truth.
Proverbs 28:6
Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
This proverb reminds us that moral integrity is of greater worth than material prosperity. Poverty is not the worst condition a man can endure; wickedness is. The poor man who walks uprightly may lack possessions, but he possesses peace with God and a clear conscience. His poverty may test his faith, but his righteousness preserves his soul. As Psalm 37:16 declares, “A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.”
In contrast, the man who is rich yet perverse in his ways stands condemned by his own duplicity. His wealth cannot conceal the corruption of his heart. To be perverse in one’s ways is to be two-faced, walking in double-mindedness, pretending virtue while practicing vice. Such a man may appear respectable, but inwardly he is twisted, erring from righteousness first on one side and then the other, as deceitful men often do.
Many will wish they had lived and died in humble poverty rather than having been lifted up in riches that only emboldened their sin. Wealth without integrity is a snare, for it gives power to evil desires and dulls the conscience. The double-dealing rich man not only defrauds others but deceives himself, imagining that success is a sign of divine approval. Yet the poor man of integrity stands justified before God, whose approval outweighs all the world’s treasures.
Proverbs 28:7
Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.
This proverb makes a direct connection between obedience and wisdom. The one who keeps God’s law demonstrates that he is discerning and possesses true understanding. Obedience is never mindless; it flows from the fear of the Lord and from a heart that values His commandments. To walk according to God’s law is to walk in light, for Psalm 119:105 declares, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The wise son proves his discernment by submitting to divine authority, while the fool reveals his ignorance through rebellion and carelessness.
The contrast is with the one who becomes “a companion of riotous men,” that is, those given over to indulgence, excess, and gluttony. A young man may not be openly wicked himself, yet by associating with those who waste their lives in dissipation, he brings shame upon his family. The company one keeps reveals the character of the heart. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” To live among the undisciplined and to delight in their ways is to partake in their folly. Such behavior brings grief to a father who raised his son for righteousness, not ruin.
The lesson is clear: wisdom and discernment are proven by obedience, and folly is proven by association with the wicked. A son who walks with the wise honors his parents and glorifies God; a son who keeps company with gluttons and scoffers shames both his father and his Maker.
Proverbs 28:8
He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
This proverb denounces those who enrich themselves through greed and exploitation. “Usury” refers to the charging of excessive interest, while “unjust gain” or “extortion” describes any form of financial oppression. In ancient Israel, interest rates could reach as high as thirty percent, placing unbearable burdens on those already in need. The Mosaic law permitted lending for profit to foreigners in business transactions (Deuteronomy 23:20), but it strictly forbade taking advantage of a fellow Israelite in distress (Deuteronomy 23:19). God’s law therefore protected the weak and condemned the hard-hearted who profited from another’s suffering.
Those who increase their wealth through such methods may appear successful for a time, but God ensures that their ill-gotten gain will not endure. The proverb declares that their wealth will ultimately be gathered “for him that will pity the poor.” In other words, the riches accumulated through injustice will be transferred by divine providence into the hands of the righteous who show mercy. Proverbs 13:22 echoes this truth: “The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” God is the final arbiter of wealth and justice; He will overturn the fortunes of the greedy and honor those who act in compassion.
Greedy men may believe their schemes will make them secure, but their end is ruin. As James 5:1–3 warns, “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you.” The wealth gained by exploitation will testify against its owner in the day of judgment, for God values mercy over profit and righteousness over riches.
Proverbs 28:9
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
This proverb strikes directly at the heart of hypocrisy in religion. God demands that His people listen to His Word before they presume to speak to Him in prayer. To turn one’s ear away from hearing the law is to show contempt for divine authority. Such a person demonstrates spiritual rebellion and a willful hardness of heart. They avoid instruction because they do not wish to be corrected, believing that ignorance will excuse them. Yet as Luke 12:47 declares, “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” To willfully avoid knowing God’s Word is as sinful as direct disobedience.
When a man refuses to hear God, God refuses to hear him. Even his prayer becomes an abomination, not because prayer itself is evil, but because it comes from a defiled and insincere heart. Prayer without obedience is a mockery. The Lord said through Isaiah 1:15–16, “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean.” True prayer flows from a heart that honors God’s Word, not from one that ignores it.
To turn from Scripture yet expect God’s favor in prayer is spiritual arrogance. The Lord will not bless rebellion disguised as devotion. The proper order of worship is to first hear and submit to His Word, and then approach Him in humble prayer. The one who listens to God will be heard by God, but the one who closes his ear to the law invites divine silence.
Proverbs 28:10
Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
This proverb warns of the severe judgment awaiting those who deliberately lead the godly astray. There are people who take pleasure in corrupting others, particularly those who are upright in heart. Such individuals feel convicted by righteousness, so they attempt to drag the righteous down to their own level of depravity. The wicked man cannot bear the light of holiness; he finds comfort only when others join him in darkness.
This kind of moral corruption drew some of the strongest condemnations from our Lord Jesus Christ. In Matthew 18:6, He declared, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” To cause others—especially the innocent or the faithful—to stumble is a sin God takes personally. He will not leave it unpunished.
The proverb continues, “He shall fall himself into his own pit.” God often allows the wicked to be trapped by the very schemes they devise. The deceiver is deceived; the tempter is destroyed by his own temptation. As Psalm 7:15–16 says, “He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.” Divine justice ensures that sin boomerangs upon its author.
Meanwhile, “the upright shall have good things in possession.” Though the righteous may stumble for a time or suffer injustice, God preserves them in the end. They inherit what is good because their inheritance is not of this world but of God. As Psalm 37:18–19 affirms, “The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.” The snares of the wicked may catch them for a season, but God’s goodness remains the eternal portion of the upright.
Proverbs 28:11
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
This proverb contrasts worldly self-deception with true spiritual discernment. The rich man often imagines himself wise because his wealth seems to validate his choices. Society flatters him, mistaking success for wisdom. Yet riches can be gained through luck, deceit, or inheritance, not necessarily by understanding. The proud heart easily mistakes prosperity for intelligence. Revelation 3:17 describes such blindness: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
In contrast, “the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.” The wise poor man is not deceived by outward appearances. Having little in worldly possessions, he has learned humility, contentment, and dependence on God. Through these lessons, he gains insight that wealth cannot buy. He discerns the folly and emptiness that often accompany riches without righteousness. The poor in spirit, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:3, are those who receive the kingdom of heaven, for they know their need and depend entirely upon God.
To “search him out” means to see through the proud man’s disguise, to discern the truth beneath the surface. As 1 Samuel 16:7 teaches, “For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” So the godly poor man, with his understanding enlightened by divine truth, can see what others cannot—the spiritual poverty of the self-satisfied rich. True wisdom does not depend on social status but on submission to the fear of the Lord.
Proverbs 28:12
When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.
When righteousness prevails in a nation, there is joy and glory. Justice brings order, peace, and prosperity to society. The righteous rejoice because their moral principles align with God’s truth, and this brings honor to a nation. As Proverbs 14:34 declares, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” When godly men rule and justice is upheld, there is great glory—freedom flourishes, and the blessings of God rest upon the people.
However, “when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.” The ascent of the wicked brings fear, oppression, and moral decay. Even men of courage retreat to preserve their lives and their integrity. History gives many examples of such times: Moses fled from Pharaoh, David hid from Saul, Elijah sought refuge from Ahab, and Joseph took the Christ Child into Egypt to escape Herod’s slaughter. When the wicked rule, truth must hide in caves, and righteousness becomes dangerous.
The rising of wicked rulers marks the decay of moral order. The freedoms and blessings inherited from past righteousness are consumed by corruption and tyranny. Yet when the righteous rejoice, there is glory not only to God but also to the nation that honors Him. The contrast is unmistakable—when righteousness reigns, men rejoice openly; when wickedness rules, men hide in fear. Every society must therefore decide which glory it desires: the radiant peace of righteousness or the dark silence of sin’s dominion.
Proverbs 28:13
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
This verse reveals one of the great spiritual laws of Scripture. The man who attempts to conceal his sin cannot truly prosper before God. Since Adam and Eve first sewed fig leaves to hide their nakedness, man’s instinct has been to cover sin. Shame, pride, and fear drive us to conceal our guilt, but such efforts only deepen our separation from God. To cover sin is to live in denial of reality, attempting to maintain the appearance of righteousness while our hearts remain corrupted. Psalm 32:3–4 captures this inner torment: “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.” The unconfessed sinner lives beneath a heavy burden that saps joy, strength, and peace.
Men have devised countless ways to cover sin—excuses, lies, secrecy, shifting blame, or appealing to time, ritual, or emotion—but all are futile before the all-seeing God. “Sin and shifting came into the world together,” as Trapp observed. What God calls for is not concealment, but confession and forsaking. Confession acknowledges sin in its true nature without excuse, agreeing with God about its wickedness. To confess is to take God’s side against one’s own sin, to hold it up before Him and say, “This is mine, my fault, my transgression.” Psalm 32:5 provides the perfect example: “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”
But confession alone is incomplete without forsaking. True repentance is not mere admission of guilt but a turning away from it in pursuit of righteousness. Only then does mercy flow. God delights in mercy and stands ready to forgive all who come to Him in truth. As 1 John 1:9 declares, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Throughout the history of the church, genuine confession has accompanied every true revival. In Acts 19:18, it is written, “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.” Confession cleanses the conscience, restores fellowship, and invites the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the soul’s release—the “vomit,” as Trapp vividly put it, which expels the poison of guilt and allows God’s healing comfort to enter.
Those who truly confess experience peace. Those who conceal, no matter how skillfully, cannot prosper. God will not bless deceit, but He will always extend mercy to the broken and contrite heart. Proverbs 28:13 is therefore both warning and invitation—a call to abandon hypocrisy and find freedom in honest repentance before a merciful God.
Proverbs 28:14
Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
In this proverb, Solomon links reverence and happiness together—an unexpected but profound connection. “Feareth alway” does not refer to anxious dread, but to a constant reverence toward God, a humble awareness of His holiness and authority. This holy fear leads to wisdom and security. Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” To live in continual reverence is to live with spiritual sensitivity, always alert to the will and warnings of God.
The reverent man is cautious of sin, repentant when he falls, and careful to stay within the path of obedience. He knows the deceitfulness of the heart and fears offending the God who redeemed him. This attitude is the foundation of true happiness, for it keeps the soul in fellowship with God. Psalm 128:1–2 confirms this: “Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.” Reverence brings both moral stability and inner joy.
In contrast, “he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” Hardness of heart is the refusal to listen, repent, or change. It is spiritual callousness that resists conviction and silences the conscience. Pharaoh is the archetype of this folly; despite witnessing God’s power, he persisted in rebellion until destruction overtook him. Exodus 9:34–35 records, “And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart.” Such obstinacy leads inevitably to calamity, for the hardened heart cannot feel, cannot turn, and cannot be guided by the Spirit of God.
To live without reverence is to drift toward ruin. The man who no longer trembles at the Word of God (Isaiah 66:2) is already on the path to destruction. The one who reveres God, however, finds continual safety. His fear is not torment but trust, not terror but tenderness. It is the fear that guards joy, sustains faith, and ensures blessing.
Proverbs 28:15–16
As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
Solomon here uses two vivid and terrifying images—a roaring lion and a charging bear—to portray the destructive cruelty of a wicked ruler. Such a ruler is unpredictable, ferocious, and impossible to reason with. Like beasts that strike fear into helpless prey, the tyrant terrorizes those who have no power to resist him. The poor, who already live on the edge of survival, suffer the most under such oppression. As Ecclesiastes 4:1 says, “So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.” The poor and defenseless are crushed beneath the weight of corrupt power, just as a lion preys upon the weakest of the herd.
This imagery is consistent with prophetic visions such as those in Daniel 7:3–8, where empires and tyrants are represented as savage beasts devouring the earth. Tyranny dehumanizes both the oppressor and the oppressed, for the ruler abandons the wisdom of God and acts by the instincts of cruelty. “No sentiment of pity softens his heart,” as Bridges notes. Such rulers provoke rebellion, impoverish their people, and ultimately destroy their own security.
The proverb continues, “The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor.” A foolish ruler is not merely incompetent but dangerous. Lacking discernment, he enacts policies and decrees that harm his own people. The absence of understanding is as deadly in leadership as the presence of malice. Power without wisdom breeds injustice. As Hosea 4:6 declares, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” When a ruler lacks understanding of righteousness and truth, his nation languishes.
“But he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.” Covetousness—the insatiable craving for gain—is the root of much oppression. The ruler who despises greed will govern with integrity and fairness, preserving both his reputation and his throne. As Exodus 18:21 instructs, “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.” The leader who governs with contentment and justice will be honored by both God and man. Such leadership prolongs life and strengthens a nation; greed and corruption shorten it.
Proverbs 28:17
A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.
This verse declares divine justice upon the murderer. The one who sheds innocent blood becomes haunted by guilt and pursued by divine vengeance. Whether through conscience, fear, or the hand of justice, he will flee “to the pit”—a metaphor for ruin and death. Sin never allows peace. Genesis 4:10–12 records how God said to Cain, “The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground… a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.” The murderer carries within himself a restless torment that drives him toward destruction.
“Let no man stay him.” Mercy in this context is misplaced. It is not compassion to hinder justice, for to shield the murderer is to defy the moral order of God. The law of Moses was clear in Numbers 35:33: “So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.” Those who pervert justice by protecting the guilty only multiply violence.
Yet even here, the gospel provides hope for the condemned soul. While human justice must take its course, divine mercy is still extended to the repentant sinner. As Bridges wisely observed, “We must not cast out his soul.” Visiting the condemned with the gospel is an act of mercy, bringing light into the darkest cell. Though his life may be forfeit, the murderer can still find forgiveness through the blood of Christ, whose sacrifice cleanses even the vilest offender. Still, the command remains: “Let no man stay him”—earthly justice must not be withheld for crimes that cry out to heaven.
Proverbs 28:18
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
This proverb again presents the simple but profound moral contrast between the upright and the perverse. “Whoso walketh uprightly” refers to one who walks in integrity before God—honest, just, and morally consistent. This man will be “saved,” not necessarily in the eternal sense of justification, but preserved from the pitfalls, calamities, and judgments that destroy others. God’s protection surrounds the upright. Psalm 84:11 promises, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
The one who is “perverse in his ways,” however, will “fall at once.” The crooked man, twisting truth and justice for personal gain, may prosper for a time, but his fall comes suddenly and without remedy. The Hebrew idea of “falling suddenly” conveys the swiftness and finality of divine retribution. Just as in Proverbs 29:1: “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” The sinner may think he can outwit God’s order, but corruption always collapses under its own weight.
Integrity may not promise wealth, but it ensures security. Deceit may promise success, but it guarantees ruin. The upright man stands firm under God’s protection; the perverse man stands upon sand, awaiting his sudden fall.
Proverbs 28:19
He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
This proverb declares the timeless principle that diligence brings provision while frivolity brings want. The man who tills his land—who faithfully works with his hands and applies himself to the task before him—will enjoy the fruit of his labor. God blesses the work of honest industry. As Proverbs 12:11 also says, “He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.” Work is not a curse, but part of God’s design for man’s fulfillment and stewardship. From the beginning, Adam was placed in the garden “to dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15).
The contrast is stark: “He that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.” The phrase “vain persons” refers to idle, reckless, or pleasure-driven companions who waste time chasing empty pursuits. The one who follows such company trades productivity for entertainment, responsibility for indulgence. The prodigal son is a vivid example of this truth—he squandered his inheritance in riotous living and ended in poverty, longing to eat the food of swine (Luke 15:13–16).
There is also a spiritual application. The diligent Christian who “tills the land” of his soul—cultivating the Word of God, prayer, and obedience—will have plenty of spiritual bread. Jesus said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). But those who chase after vanity—worldly pleasure, false doctrine, or self-gratification—find only spiritual famine. The principle stands: diligence in godliness brings abundance; carelessness brings want.
Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
Faithfulness is one of the chief marks of godly character. The faithful man is consistent, trustworthy, and devoted to duty. He does not cut corners or seek quick rewards. Such a man “shall abound with blessings,” for both God and men reward integrity. The blessing may not always be material, but it includes the peace of a clear conscience, the confidence of divine favor, and the respect of others. Faithfulness brings stability and long-term fruit. Psalm 31:23 proclaims, “O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.”
The second half of the verse gives a warning: “He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” The man driven by greed and impatience is vulnerable to temptation, deceit, and compromise. He is the opposite of the faithful man. In his eagerness to gain wealth, he tramples integrity and forgets God’s sovereignty. Such haste reflects distrust in God’s timing and provision. 1 Timothy 6:9–10 warns, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil.”
Even if the man hastening to be rich avoids criminal means, his idolatry of wealth will not go unpunished. His obsession replaces God in his heart. The faithful man walks steadily, trusting God’s provision; the greedy man runs recklessly, bringing guilt and ruin upon himself. The reward of the first is blessing; the end of the second is judgment.
Proverbs 28:21
To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.
This proverb speaks against partiality and corruption in all forms. “To have respect of persons” means to show favoritism—judging or treating others based on status, wealth, or appearance instead of righteousness and truth. This perverts justice and offends God, who is impartial. Deuteronomy 10:17 declares, “For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.”
The verse warns that partiality can be purchased cheaply: “for a piece of bread that man will transgress.” Even the smallest bribe or the slightest flattery can lead to injustice when a person’s heart is not fixed on righteousness. The man who allows himself to be swayed by favor or advantage is morally weak; his integrity can be bought at a low price. In modern terms, it may be influence, approval, or recognition rather than literal bread that tempts him—but the result is the same: he sins for a trifle and betrays his conscience.
Partiality corrupts leadership, destroys trust, and invites divine judgment. James 2:9 warns, “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” The godly man must therefore refuse favoritism in all matters—public or private, political or personal—and commit himself to truth and equity, for God’s standard is righteousness, not respect of persons.
Proverbs 28:22
He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
The “evil eye” in Scripture often symbolizes greed, selfishness, and a lack of compassion. The man with such an eye looks upon others not with charity but with covetous intent. His life’s ambition is accumulation, and he “hasteth to be rich,” meaning he pursues wealth impatiently and without moral restraint. This same description echoes in Proverbs 23:6–7, “Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” The greedy man’s eye reveals the corruption of his heart—he views every opportunity and every person as a means to personal gain.
Such a man’s obsession with wealth blinds him to the certainty of coming poverty. He “considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.” His greed ensures his ruin. The curse of God rests upon covetousness, for it is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). The one who runs after riches disregards both God’s will and the needs of others, and in time, the very thing he covets slips through his hands. As 1 Timothy 6:9 warns, “They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
The greedy may seem successful for a season, but the end of their pursuit is emptiness. In God’s economy, only the compassionate and righteous retain true wealth. “The Lord will see to it,” as Waltke observes, “that only conscientious and compassionate people finally hold wealth in His kingdom.” Those who trust in God’s provision and use their resources for good will find lasting abundance, while those who hasten after riches in selfishness will inherit poverty—materially or spiritually, or both.
Proverbs 28:23
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
This proverb exalts the courage and love required to offer correction. The one who rebukes a man, though he may initially incur displeasure, ultimately wins respect and favor. The rebuke that springs from love and truth brings healing, while flattery, though pleasant in the moment, leads to ruin. Proverbs 27:6 declares, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” A friend’s honest correction is an act of grace, for it seeks the other’s growth and repentance, not self-gain.
The flatterer, by contrast, seeks only to please. His words are smooth but deceitful, aiming to manipulate rather than to bless. As Psalm 12:2–3 warns, “They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.” Flattery sacrifices truth for approval, while rebuke sacrifices comfort for righteousness.
Though rebuke may sting, it ultimately produces honor. The one who accepts correction grows wise (Proverbs 9:8–9), and the one who gives correction in love earns enduring gratitude. In the end, the rebuker finds more favor than the flatterer, for truth, though momentarily unwelcome, brings life and integrity, while flattery brings only false peace and hidden decay.
Proverbs 28:24
Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.
This verse condemns the grievous sin of dishonoring one’s parents through theft, deceit, or exploitation. It describes a child so morally warped that he steals from his own parents and excuses himself, saying, “It is no transgression.” Such a person not only commits robbery but also violates the fifth commandment, “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12). His crime combines greed, rebellion, and ingratitude—the worst forms of wickedness.
Scripture records tragic examples of such sin. Micah stole silver from his mother (Judges 17:2), Rachel took her father’s idols (Genesis 31:19), and Absalom robbed his father David of his throne (2 Samuel 15:10–14). Each case displays arrogance, selfishness, and contempt for divine order. To rob those who gave us life is an act of profound moral blindness. As Clarke wrote, “He who robs his parents is worse than a common robber; to the act of dishonesty he adds ingratitude, cruelty, and disobedience.”
The proverb concludes that such a person “is the companion of a destroyer.” The word “destroyer” refers to one who devastates society, spreading moral ruin. The child who steals from his parents joins the ranks of the corrupt and violent. Though he may justify his actions—claiming the right to his parents’ goods, imagining shared ownership, or excusing it as inheritance in advance—God sees it as plunder, not provision. Proverbs 19:26 reinforces the warning: “He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.”
Those who dishonor parents by greed align themselves with the destroyer, but those who honor and care for their parents fulfill righteousness. The heart that is right with God will never excuse sin in the name of entitlement. The faithful son reflects gratitude and obedience, securing God’s favor and family blessing.
Proverbs 28:25
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.
Pride and faith are set here in direct opposition. The proud heart is self-centered and self-reliant; it craves preeminence, recognition, and control. Such a person inevitably “stirreth up strife,” for his ego cannot bear correction, humility, or equality with others. He despises contradiction, takes offense easily, and resents anything that diminishes his self-importance. As Proverbs 13:10 declares, “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Pride isolates a man from both God and others; it makes him unteachable and contentious.
The proud man’s self-seeking nature guarantees conflict. He sees others as rivals rather than brothers, and in advancing himself, he disrupts peace. The greedy and proud alike transgress boundaries for gain, disregarding both justice and harmony. Yet the one who humbles himself before God and trusts in the Lord walks in peace and stability. “He that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat”—a Hebrew expression meaning to be enriched, blessed, and prospered. Jeremiah 17:7–8 affirms, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters... neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
To trust in God is to rest from striving. Pride makes a man grasp for control, while faith allows him to rest in divine providence. The humble believer, free from self-assertion, finds prosperity not through ambition but through submission. The proud strive and lose peace; the faithful trust and find blessing.
Proverbs 28:26
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
The wisdom of this verse cuts directly against the world’s false philosophy. Modern culture praises the idea of “following your heart,” but Scripture calls it folly. The heart, apart from divine renewal, is corrupted by sin. Jeremiah 17:9 declares, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” To trust one’s own heart is to trust a deceiver—a betrayer that has already led us astray countless times. It is to exalt emotion and impulse above divine revelation, and this is the essence of foolishness.
The fool relies on his feelings, reasoning, or instincts rather than the Word of God. He mistakes sincerity for truth and assumes that because his heart feels something strongly, it must be right. But sincerity can be sincerely wrong. The wise man, by contrast, distrusts his own judgment and submits to God’s wisdom. Proverbs 3:5–6 teaches, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
The second line provides the remedy: “But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” The wise walk not according to human reasoning but according to the revealed Word of God. They seek counsel, pray for discernment, and act with caution and humility. Such a man is delivered from the snares that destroy the self-confident fool. As Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24–25, the wise man builds his house upon the rock—the Word of God—and when the storms come, it stands firm.
Trusting one’s heart leads to ruin; walking wisely leads to deliverance. The difference lies in whether one lives by personal impulse or divine instruction.
Proverbs 28:27
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Generosity is a reflection of godliness, and here the Lord attaches a promise to it: “He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack.” The principle is not merely moral but spiritual—God Himself sustains and blesses the generous. Proverbs 11:25 affirms, “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” The man who gives to the poor imitates God’s own mercy and will find that the Lord replenishes what he gives. The pathway to blessing is not hoarding but giving.
The opposite spirit is described in the second line: “He that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.” To hide one’s eyes means to deliberately ignore the needs of others—to turn away from compassion out of convenience or selfishness. It is not mere indifference, but a moral refusal to see. Such hardness invites both human and divine disapproval. The poor, neglected by society, often cry out against such injustice; but more importantly, God Himself hears their cry. Proverbs 21:13 warns, “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”
The one who gives to the poor trusts God’s provision; the one who hides his eyes trusts his own possessions. Yet, paradoxically, the giver gains, and the hoarder loses. True riches are found not in what we keep, but in what we share under the blessing of God.
Proverbs 28:28
When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.
This proverb closes the chapter with a striking summary of how moral leadership shapes the destiny of a people. “When the wicked rise,” that is, when evil men gain authority, influence, or prominence, it brings distress to the nation. The righteous are forced into silence or seclusion, and truth is suppressed. Wicked rulers despise justice, persecute the godly, and exalt corruption. As a result, men “hide themselves”—the upright withdraw for safety, conceal their convictions, or are driven into obscurity. Ecclesiastes 10:5–6 describes this same moral inversion: “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.”
This principle is not limited to kings or governments; it applies to every level of society. When the wicked are elevated—whether in politics, media, business, or religion—those who love righteousness must often retreat, for corruption breeds fear and oppression. Yet this withdrawal is temporary. God’s justice does not sleep forever.
The proverb continues, “But when they perish, the righteous increase.” When wicked men fall, either through divine judgment or the natural consequences of their evil, the godly emerge again. Their courage and influence flourish in the renewed freedom that righteousness brings. This was evident in the reign of Hezekiah, when revival followed the death of the wicked king Ahaz. 2 Chronicles 29:2–5 records that Hezekiah “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord,” reopening the temple and calling the priests to sanctify themselves. Soon after, “there came a very great congregation to Jerusalem, to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation” (2 Chronicles 30:13).
History repeatedly confirms this cycle. After the death of Herod, who had persecuted the early church, Acts 12:23–24 says, “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him… But the word of God grew and multiplied.” The fall of tyranny always makes room for the flourishing of truth.
The righteous “increase” not only in number but in influence and moral strength. Freed from oppression, they take their rightful place in leadership and restore godly order. They use their authority to promote justice, restrain evil, and bless the people. As Psalm 75:7 declares, “But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
Thus, Proverbs 28 closes with both warning and hope. Wickedness brings suppression and fear, but its reign is temporary. Righteousness may be forced into hiding for a season, but it will rise again when evil perishes. This is the enduring truth of divine justice—that though wicked men may rule for a time, God ensures that righteousness will prevail and increase in the end.
