Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
What does Proverbs 27:17 mean?
We are cautioned to take heed whom we converse with. And directed to have in view, in conversation, to make one another wiser and better.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Proverbs 27:17-18 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Proverbs 27:17
The proverb expresses the gain of mutual counsel as found in clear, well-defined thoughts. Two minds, thus acting on each other, become more acute. This is better than to see in "sharpening" the idea of provoking, and the point of the maxim in the fact that the quarrels of those who have been friends are bitter in proportion to their previous intimacy.
Key words
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Context in Proverbs 27
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Proverbs 27 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as Agur, Lemuel, and the valiant woman. Proverbs offers compact instruction on speech, work, wealth, friendship, sex, discipline, justice, and wisdom as a way of life before God. Read this chapter with the wider themes of wisdom, fear of the Lord, and speech in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Who quoted Proverbs 27:17?
Find out who used Proverbs 27:17 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted Proverbs 27:17?
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «iron sharpeneth iron»):
Action · Friendship · Iron