Proverbs 10:16

16 The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the gain of the wicked brings punishment.

Proverbs 10:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:16

The labour of the righteous [tendeth] to life
To natural life, and the support of it; all that he labours for is to get a livelihood for himself and family; that is all he desires, nor does he seek great things for himself: or to spiritual life; so his spiritual exercises in praying, reading, and hearing the word, and waiting upon ordinances, have a tendency to promote and maintain a spiritual life in him: or to eternal life; not that the works of a righteous man (so the Targum, Septuagint, and Arabic versions, render it in the plural number) are meritorious of eternal life; for life and righteousness are not to be had by the works of men, but by the grace of God; yet, as the righteous man labours for the meat which endures to everlasting life, given by the Son of God, his labour may be said to tend to life eternal, ( John 6:27 ) ; the fruit of the wicked to sin;
whatever he enjoys, whether got by labour; though the word seems purposely omitted, as some observe, to signify that is not intended; or whether left him as an inheritance; or whatever way acquired, lawfully or unlawfully; all his revenues and riches, the increase of his substance and fields, are all used to sinful purposes, to pride, luxury, and wantonness; and so tend to death, even death eternal, the just wages of sin.

Proverbs 10:16 In-Context

14 The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.

15 The wealth of the rich man is his fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor.

16 The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the gain of the wicked brings punishment.

17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray.

18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.