Proverbs 11:25

25 A person of blessing will be enriched, and he who gives water also will be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:25

The liberal soul shall be made fat
Or, "the soul of blessing" ^F3: that is, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the soul which blesseth"; not that merely prays for a blessing upon others, and wishes them well, and gives them good words; but bestows blessings on them, gives good things unto them liberally, cheerfully, and plentifully; and so is a blessing to the poor, and receives a blessing from them again; as such also do from the Lord, by whom they are "made fat"; or are blessed with temporal and spiritual blessings; and are in thriving and flourishing circumstances, both in soul and body. So he that comes full fraught with the blessing of the Gospel of Christ to others is enriched with it himself, and becomes more and more flourishing in gifts and grace; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself;
he that largely shares with others, like a flowing fountain of water, shall have an abundance communicated to him again from God, the inexhaustible fountain of mercies. Watering the plants in Christ's vineyard is one part of the work of a Gospel minister; "I have planted, Apollos watered" ( 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 ) ; and such who do their work well are watered, rewarded, refreshed, and comforted of God, being largely taught and richly furnished for such service by him; so the Targum,

``and he that teacheth, also he himself shall learn.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (hkrb vpn) "anima benedictionis", Montanus, Baynus, Cocceius, Michaelis; "anima benedictioni dedita", Schultens.

Proverbs 11:25 In-Context

23 The desire of the righteous [is] only good, but the expectation of the wicked, wrath.

24 There is one who gives yet {grows richer}, but he who withholds {what is right} only [finds] need.

25 A person of blessing will be enriched, and he who gives water also will be refreshed.

26 He who withholds grain, the people curse him, but a blessing [is] for the head of him who sells.

27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but he who inquires of evil, it will come to him.