Proverbs 27:6

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Proverbs 27:6 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 27:6

Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend
That is, friendly reproofs; which, though they may be severe, at least thought so, and may grieve and wound, and cause pain and uneasiness for the present, yet, proceeding from a spirit of love, faithfulness, and integrity, and designed for the good of the person reproved, ought to be kindly received; see ( Psalms 141:5 ) ;

but the kisses of an enemy [are] deceitful;
flow from a deceitful heart, and not to be confided in, as the kisses of Joab and Judas. It may be rather rendered, "are to be deprecated" F25; prayed against, as real evils, hurtful and pernicious; and so the Targum renders it, "are evil". Good is the advice of Isocrates F26,

``reckon them faithful, not who praise everything thou sayest or doest, but those that reprove what is amiss.''


FOOTNOTES:

F25 (twrten) "deprecanda", Junius & Tremillius, Piscator, Cocceius, Amama.
F26 Ad Nicoclem, p. 38.

Proverbs 27:6 In-Context

4 Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, But who is able to stand before jealousy?
5 Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
7 A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
8 Like a bird that wanders from its nest Is a man who wanders from his place.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.