Mishle 27:5

5 Open tovah tokhakhat (good, constructive reproof) is better than secret ahavah.

Mishle 27:5 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 27:5

Open rebuke [is] better than secret love.
] This is to be understood, not of rebuke publicly given; though Aben Ezra thinks public reproof is meant, which, arising from love, is better than that which is done in secret, though in love, as being more effectual; for rebuke among friends should be given privately, according to our Lord's direction, ( Matthew 18:15 ) ; but it signifies reproof given faithfully and plainly, with openness of heart, and without mincing the matter, and palliating the offence; but speaking out freely, and faithfully laying before a person the evil of his sin, in all the circumstances of it, as the Apostle Paul did to Peter, when he withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed, ( Galatians 2:11 ) . Now such kind of reproof is better than such love to a person as will not suffer him to tell him of his faults, for fear of grieving him, or losing his friendship; or than such love as does not show itself in deeds, and particularly in faithful reproofs; for so to act is to hate a person, and suffer sin to be upon him, ( Leviticus 19:17 ) .

Mishle 27:5 In-Context

3 An even (stone) is heavy, and the chol (sand) weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.

4 Chemah (anger) is cruel, and fury is a torrent, but who is able to stand before kinah (jealousy, envy)?

5 Open tovah tokhakhat (good, constructive reproof) is better than secret ahavah.

6 Ne’emanim (faithful) are the wounds of an ohev (friend); but deceitful the neshikot (kisses) of an enemy.

7 The full nefesh trampleth a honeycomb, but to the hungry nefesh every mar (bitter thing) is sweet.