Jane Austen started her well-known novel Satisfaction and Prejudice with the phrases, “It’s a fact universally acknowledged, {that a} single man in possession of a luck, have to 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 might 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 usually 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 fun 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 might be treasured by her husband? We have to think about questions like these when meditating on this proverb.
Studying Proverbs: Necessary Reminders for Interpretation
The Guide of Proverbs is a part of Scripture, which is divinely impressed and utterly inerrant because the Phrase of God (2 Timothy 3:16).
When decoding Proverbs, although, or any ebook of the Bible, we have to hold many issues in thoughts, resembling historic and fast context and literary style.
As a part of knowledge literature, the Guide of Proverbs presents basic truths by memorable sayings, typically through the use of contrasts. Solomon offered the aim of Proverbs as gaining knowledge, which begins with concern, or reverence, of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7).
Those that concern the Lord and suppose deeply in regards to the proverbial sayings will achieve “knowledge and instruction,” be taught to do what’s “proper and simply and honest,” and the younger will obtain coaching in “data and discretion” (Proverbs 1:2-4).
A proverb presents a basic fact, however we have to do not forget that issues in life don’t at all times find yourself the way in which a proverb teaches. Additionally, they don’t apply to each state of affairs and are usually not 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 comply with God’s righteousness and search to do what’s loving and good will typically discover that they’re opposed and hated by others.
Many trustworthy followers of Christ around the globe, who attempt to do good, stay in harsh situations, going through mistreatment and persecution.
Moreover, believers are usually not promised monetary prosperity in life. If somebody is wealthy and honored by others, this doesn’t at all times imply they’re believers who pursue righteousness and love.
Subsequently, we have to do not forget that the Guide of Proverbs is an impressed ebook of the Bible and may also help us develop in godly knowledge.
Nonetheless, the sayings are usually not meant to function safe guarantees. They’re basic truths which can be normally observable in life however are usually not strict guidelines of how conditions in life will happen. We have to be cautious in how we apply them.
In Proverbs 18:22, we learn, “He who finds a spouse finds a superb 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’d anticipate that each marriage is sweet and enduring.
We can also assume that those that are married are extra blessed or favorable to God than those that are single.
The Amplified Bible offers additional context to the primary a part of this verse: “He who finds a [true and faithful] spouse finds a superb factor and obtains favor and approval from the LORD.”
The clarifying phrase “true and trustworthy” contrasts with the various warnings in Proverbs in regards to 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 search out. Therefore, we see the mannequin spouse (and girl) in Proverbs 31, who’s compassionate, trustworthy, 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, benefit, or favor as a result of he marries a virtuous spouse. Fairly, 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 reward from the LORD.”
Within the Latin Vulgate and Septuagint translations of this verse, there may be an additional half that contrasts a superb spouse with an adulterous spouse.
Within the Brenton Septuagint Translation, the added a part of the verse reads, “He that places away a superb spouse, places away a superb 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 loyal 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 superb 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 might 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 girls, which is unbiblical, and his wives led him astray (1 Kings 11:3).
As I discussed above, the proverb usually 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 girl.
Moreover, there are limitations to the verse. A person (or girl, for that matter) who by no means marries on account of conditions in life and chooses to stay single to serve Christ shouldn’t be lacking out on blessings or favor (1 Corinthians 7:38).
The Apostle Paul explains that married {couples} will expertise difficulties that single individuals is not going to (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 shouldn’t be higher than the opposite. We must always not misuse verses like Proverbs 18:22 to make those that are single really feel unfulfilled or lower than complete. 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 basic fact. A person who finds a spouse does discover what is sweet, however the proverb shouldn’t be 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 might be cherished by her husband, that marriage based mostly on unbiblical grounds might be blessed, or {that a} married individual good points particular approval from God {that a} single individual 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?
Pray for Your Husband
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Sophia Bricker is a contract author who enjoys researching and writing articles on biblical and theological matters. 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 presently pursuing an MFA in Inventive Writing to develop her writing craft. As somebody who’s passionate in regards to 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.
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