Jane Austen started her well-known novel Delight and Prejudice with the phrases, “It’s a fact universally acknowledged, {that a} single man in possession of a luck, should be in need of a spouse.”
Though a wealthy, single man within the 19th century had all he wanted to stay comfortably, he discovered himself eager for a spouse. He wanted somebody whom he may spend his life with, to have a companion in his on a regular basis experiences.
Proverbs 18:22 presents an equally memorable assertion to Jane Austen’s opening line. Males all through time have typically discovered that when and in the event that they marry, having a spouse is sweet.
Man’s eager for a spouse stretches again to the start of creation when Adam was lonely and in need of a helper. God knew that “it’s not good for the person to be alone. I’ll make a helper appropriate for him” (Genesis 2:18). Eve was the reply to Adam’s loneliness.
Christians uphold and have a good time the biblical sanctity of marriage. Nonetheless, we must always correctly interpret the proverb and never transcend its that means. For example, what does it imply {that a} man receives favor from the Lord for having a spouse?
How does this apply to males or girls who select to stay single to serve Christ? Is it a safe promise {that a} spouse will likely be treasured by her husband? We have to contemplate questions like these when meditating on this proverb.
Studying Proverbs: Essential Reminders for Interpretation
The E-book of Proverbs is a part of Scripture, which is divinely impressed and fully inerrant because the Phrase of God (2 Timothy 3:16).
When deciphering Proverbs, although, or any ebook of the Bible, we have to preserve many issues in thoughts, resembling historic and rapid context and literary style.
As a part of knowledge literature, the E-book of Proverbs presents common truths by means of memorable sayings, usually through the use of contrasts. Solomon offered the aim of Proverbs as gaining knowledge, which begins with worry, or reverence, of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7).
Those that worry the Lord and assume deeply concerning the proverbial sayings will acquire “knowledge and instruction,” study to do what’s “proper and simply and honest,” and the younger will obtain coaching in “information and discretion” (Proverbs 1:2-4).
A proverb presents a common fact, however we have to do not forget that issues in life don’t all the time find yourself the best way a proverb teaches. Additionally, they don’t apply to each state of affairs and aren’t meant to be guarantees.
For instance, we learn in Proverbs 21:21 that “whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” Though that is true, those that observe God’s righteousness and search to do what’s loving and good will generally discover that they’re opposed and hated by others.
Many devoted followers of Christ world wide, who attempt to do good, stay in harsh circumstances, going through mistreatment and persecution.
Moreover, believers aren’t promised monetary prosperity in life. If somebody is wealthy and honored by others, this doesn’t all the time imply they’re believers who pursue righteousness and love.
Due to this fact, we have to do not forget that the E-book of Proverbs is an impressed ebook of the Bible and may also help us develop in godly knowledge.
Nonetheless, the sayings aren’t meant to function safe guarantees. They’re common truths which can be often observable in life however aren’t strict guidelines of how conditions in life will happen. We should be cautious in how we apply them.
In Proverbs 18:22, we learn, “He who finds a spouse finds a great factor and obtains favor from the LORD” (ESV). If we learn this proverb with the concept that it’s a promise from God, then we would count on that each marriage is sweet and enduring.
We may additionally assume that those that are married are extra blessed or favorable to God than those that are single.
The Amplified Bible supplies additional context to the primary a part of this verse: “He who finds a [true and faithful] spouse finds a great factor and obtains favor and approval from the LORD.”
The clarifying phrase “true and devoted” contrasts with the numerous warnings in Proverbs concerning the contentious or quarrelsome spouse and a morally poor spouse (Proverbs 21:19; 25:24; Proverbs 11:22; 12:4; 14:1).
A spouse with ethical power and character is an efficient factor to seek out. Therefore, we see the mannequin spouse (and lady) in Proverbs 31, who’s compassionate, devoted, and robust in religion.
A person who finds a Christ-loving spouse finds what is sweet, which is a present from the Lord. Such a person doesn’t earn salvation, advantage, or favor as a result of he marries a virtuous spouse. Quite, his spouse is a treasure, price greater than rubies (Proverbs 31:10).
The NET Bible translation conveys this in Proverbs 18:22: “The one who finds a spouse finds what’s pleasant, and receives a pleasurable present from the LORD.”
Within the Latin Vulgate and Septuagint translations of this verse, there’s an additional half that contrasts a great spouse with an adulterous spouse.
Within the Brenton Septuagint Translation, the added a part of the verse reads, “He that places away a great spouse, places away a great factor, and he that retains an adulteress is silly and ungodly” (Proverbs 18:22).
We have to do not forget that most variations of the Bible don’t retain this addition as a result of it’s not present in Hebrew manuscripts.
A faithful Christian husband would know from the remainder of Scripture that divorcing his spouse is denounced. Jesus defined that the one foundation for divorce is adultery (Matthew 5:31-32).
Is There Extra to This Verse?
Proverbs 18:22 is true since a person who finds a great spouse finds what is sweet and receives a present from God. Issues happen, although, once we attempt to apply this proverb to each state of affairs. First, not each Christ-following spouse will likely be treasured by her husband.
Many ladies discover themselves in sad marriages. When a lady’s husband doesn’t see her price, she will be able to obtain consolation within the fact that the Lord loves and values her greater than anybody else.
Equally, Proverbs 18:22 doesn’t apply to each marriage. For instance, Ahab married Jezebel, and he didn’t obtain what is sweet. He was already a depraved king, however Jezebel urged him to do extra evil (1 Kings 21:25).
Additionally, Solomon married multitudes of ladies, which is unbiblical, and his wives led him astray (1 Kings 11:3).
As I discussed above, the proverb typically applies when a person finds a spouse that’s virtuous, particularly a follower of Christ. Proverbs 18:22 wouldn’t apply to a Christian man who marries a non-believing lady.
Moreover, there are limitations to the verse. A person (or lady, for that matter) who by no means marries on account of conditions in life and chooses to stay single to serve Christ is just not lacking out on blessings or favor (1 Corinthians 7:38).
The Apostle Paul explains that married {couples} will expertise difficulties that single individuals won’t (1 Corinthians 7:28). Those that are married will battle with giving undivided devotion to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32-35).
Each marriage and singleness include their very own hardships, however one state is just not higher than the opposite. We should always not misuse verses like Proverbs 18:22 to make those that are single really feel unfulfilled or lower than entire. In Christ, we’re full (Colossians 2:10).
What Does This Imply?
When studying Proverbs 18:22, we have to do not forget that a proverb conveys a common fact. A person who finds a spouse does discover what is sweet, however the proverb is just not meant to function a promise or rule.
There may be extra to Proverbs 18:22 in that it’s not a promise that each spouse will likely be cherished by her husband, that marriage primarily based on unbiblical grounds will likely be blessed, or {that a} married particular person features particular approval from God {that a} single particular person doesn’t.
We have to acknowledge the restrictions of making use of this proverb to keep away from misusing and misinterpreting it.
For additional studying:
/bible/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-wife-of-noble-character.html”>What Does it Imply to Be a Spouse of Noble Character?
What Does the Church Consider These Who Have By no means Been Married?
Photograph Credit score: ©iStock/Getty Pictures Plus/shapecharge
Sophia Bricker is a contract author who enjoys researching and writing articles on biblical and theological subjects. Along with contributing articles about biblical questions as a contract author, she has additionally written for Unlocked devotional. She holds a BA in Ministry, a MA in Ministry, and is at the moment pursuing an MFA in Inventive Writing to develop her writing craft. As somebody who’s passionate concerning the Bible and religion in Jesus, her mission is to assist others find out about Christ and glorify Him in her writing. When she isn’t busy learning or writing, Sophia enjoys spending time with household, studying, drawing, and gardening.
Christianity.com.