Jane Austen started writing her famous novel pride and prejudice With the words, “It is a universally accepted truth that a lucky single man must need a wife.”
A wealthy 19-year-old single man,th Although the century had everything he needed to live comfortably, he found himself longing for a wife. He needed a companion to spend his life with, a companion for his daily experiences.
Proverbs 18:22 presents a line as memorable as Jane Austen’s opening lines. Men of all times generally recognize that it is good to have a wife when and if they marry.
The longing for a human wife dates back to the beginning of creation when Adam was lonely and in need of help. God knew that it was not good for man to be alone. I will make him a worthy helper.”Genesis 2:18). Adam’s answer to loneliness was Eve.
Christians uphold and celebrate the sanctity of biblical marriage. But we need to interpret this proverb properly and not go beyond its meaning. For example, what does it mean that a man receives favor from the Lord by having a wife?
How does this apply to a man or woman who chooses to remain single to serve Christ? Is there a sure promise that a wife will be cherished by her husband? As we meditate on this proverb, we should consider the following questions:
Reading Proverbs: Important Notes for Interpretation
The Book of Proverbs is part of the Bible, written under the inspiration of God, and as the word of God is completely inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16).
However, there are many things to keep in mind when interpreting Proverbs and Bible books, including historical and direct context and literary genres.
As part of wisdom literature, the book of Proverbs often uses contrasts to present general truths through memorable words. Solomon presented the purpose of Proverbs as acquiring wisdom that begins with awe and reverence for the Lord (Proverbs 1:7).
Those who fear the Lord and ponder the proverbs will gain “wisdom and teaching” and learn to do “just, righteous and just”, and young people will be trained in “knowledge and prudence.”Proverbs 1:2-4).
Proverbs point to general truths, but we must remember that things in life do not always end up exactly as the proverb teaches. They also may not apply in all situations and are not meant to be a promise.
For example, read: Proverbs 21:21 “Those who pursue righteousness and love will find life, prosperity and honor.” Although this is true, those who follow the righteousness of God and do loving good deeds are sometimes opposed and hated by others.
Many faithful Christians around the world who seek to do good live in harsh conditions, facing abuse and persecution.
Furthermore, believers are not guaranteed a financially prosperous life. Just because someone is wealthy and respected by others does not necessarily mean that he or she is a believer in pursuit of justice and love.
Therefore, we need to remember that the book of Proverbs is inspired by the Bible and helps us grow in godly wisdom.
However, these sayings are not meant to act as surefire promises. These are general truths that we can usually observe in life, but they are not hard and fast rules about how life situations arise. Be careful how you apply them.
of Proverbs 18:22, which reads, “He who finds a wife finds good things and gains the favor of the Lord” (ESV). If we read this proverb as a promise from God, we might expect every marriage to be good and lasting.
We can also assume that married people are more blessed and favorable to God than single people.
The Supplementary Bible provides more context for the first part of this verse. [true and faithful] The wife found something good and won the favor and approval of the Lord. ”
The explicit phrase “true and faithful” contrasts with many of the warnings in Proverbs about quarrelsome, quarrelsome and morally flawed wives.Proverbs 21:1925:24; Proverbs 11:2212:4; 14:1).
Finding a wife with moral strength and character is good. Therefore, we see model wives (and women) as: proverbs 31caring, loyal, and a man of strong faith.
A man who finds a Christ-loving wife finds good, a gift from the Lord. Such a person cannot obtain salvation, merit, or favor by marrying a chaste wife. Rather, his wife is a treasure more than Ruby (Proverbs 31:10).
NET Bible Translation tells us this: Proverbs 18:22: “Whoever finds a wife will find pleasant things and receive pleasant gifts from the Lord.”
The Latin Vulgate and Septuagint of this verse have an addition that contrasts good wives with adulterous wives.
In the Brenton Septuagint, an addition to this verse reads, “He who shuns a good wife shuns good things, and he who continues adultery is foolish and ungodly.”Proverbs 18:22).
It should be remembered that most versions of the Bible do not retain this addition, as it is not found in Hebrew manuscripts.
If you are a devoted Christian husband, you know from the rest of the Bible that divorce from your wife is condemned. Jesus explained that the only ground for divorce is adultery (Matthew 5:31-32).
Is there more to this verse?
Proverbs 18:22 This is true because a man who finds a good wife finds a good one and receives a gift from God. However, a problem arises when trying to apply this proverb to every situation. First, not every Christ-following wife is valued by her husband.
Many women are in unhappy marriages. When her woman’s husband does not recognize her own worth, she can take comfort in the fact that her Lord loves and cherishes her more than anyone else.
Similarly, Proverbs 18:22 It does not apply to all marriages. For example, Ahab married Jezebel, but he received no good. He was already an evil king, but Jezebel inspired him to do even more evil (1 Kings 21:25).
Solomon also married many women, which was unscriptural, and his wives led him astray (1 Kings 11:3).
As mentioned above, this proverb generally applies when a man finds a virtuous wife, especially a Christ-following wife. Proverbs 18:22 It does not apply to Christian men who marry unbelieving women.
Moreover, poetry has limitations. A man (or woman) who chooses not to marry for life reasons and remains single in order to serve Christ will not miss out on blessings and favors (1 Corinthians 7:38).
The Apostle Paul explains that married couples will experience difficulties that unmarried people do not (1 Corinthians 7:28). Those who are married will have a hard time making a devoted devotion to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32-35).
Marriage and singleness have their own challenges, but neither is better than the other. We should not misuse verses such as: Proverbs 18:22 Because it makes single people feel unfulfilled or unfulfilled. In Christ we are perfect (Colossians 2:10).
What does this mean?
when reading Proverbs 18:22, we must remember that the proverb tells a general truth. A man who finds a wife finds good, but this proverb does not work as a promise or a rule.
We have others, too Proverbs 18:22 It is not a promise that all wives will be cherished by their husbands, or that marriages on unscriptural grounds will be blessed, or that married men will receive special approval from God, unlike single men. That’s the point.
We need to be aware of the limitations of applying this proverb to avoid its misuse or misunderstanding.
For further reading:
/bible/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-wife-of-noble-character.html”>What does it mean to be a wife of a noble character?
What does the Church think of people who have never been married?
Photo credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/shapecharge
Sophia Bricker is a freelance writer who enjoys researching and writing articles on biblical and theological topics. In addition to contributing articles on Bible questions as her contract writer, she also contributes to Unlocked devotional. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Ministry, Master’s degree in Ministry and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Creative Writing to enhance her writing skills. As someone who is passionate about the Bible and faith in Jesus, her mission is to help others learn about Christ and bring glory to Him with her writings. When Sophia is not busy with her studies and writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, painting, and gardening.
This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For additional faith-building resources, please visit:
Christianity.com.
