The Reproof of Life (Proverbs 15:31-32) by Rev. Angus Stewart
I. The Refusing of It
II. The Receiving of It
III. The Blessing of It
George Swinnock: “Oh, that I might never be so void of love to my fallen brother as not to give him a serious reproof, nor so void of love to myself as not to receive a serious reproof.”
Thomas Adams: “It was well done of Paul to reprove Peter to his face [Gal. 2:11f.], and it was well done of Peter, to praise Paul in his absence [II Pet. 3:15-16].”
Some Verses From Proverbs on Reproof
1:23: “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.”
1:25: “But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof.”
1:30: “They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.”
5:12: “And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof.”
6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.”
9:7-8: “He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.”
10:17: “He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.”
12:1: “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”
12:15: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”
13:1: “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.”
13:8: “The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.”
13:18: “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”
15:5: “A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.”
15:10: “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.”
15:12: “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.”
15:31-32: “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”
17:10: “A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.”
19:25: “Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.”
24:25: “But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.”
25:12: “As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.”
27:5: “Open rebuke is better than secret love.”
28:23: “He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.”
29:1: “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
29:15: “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.”
30:6: “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”