"He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth Him."
Proverbs 14:2
“He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD.”
Some men walk uprightly. That is, they walk in “straightness” or “uprightness.” There is an “evenness” to his moral behavior. He lives in “rightness” by “what is right” and “what is due” [1] (see BDB). This person has a good testimony with people and a good reputation with God.
“…uprightness—is the fruit of fearing God” [2] (JFB).
“One who is upright through their heritage, past habits, and general course of life still has the decision to walk in their uprightness. Doing this demonstrates that they do fear the Lord” [3] (EWC).
“The Fear of the LORD.”
“It describes a reverent attitude toward Yahweh, one that both acknowledges His full power and involves obedience to Him. In Proverbs, the fear of Yahweh is recognized as the beginning of wisdom …” [4] (FSB).
“A person’s attitude toward the Lord—either fearing Him … or despising Him—shows up in his behavior. His conduct is either upright or devious (cf. 2:15)” [5] (BKC).
“But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.”
Some men walk perversely. These are the ungodly who refuse His grace and will not listen to Him and His Word. In their perversity, they despise Almighty God.
“Those that despise God’s precepts and promises despise God and all his power and mercy” [6] (Henry).
“The disobedient man shows that he really despises God and His authority. They say we will not have this Man to reign over us (Luke 19:14). This displays the sinfulness of sin; it is often not only weakness, it is deep-seated rebellion against God” [7] (EWC).
“The devious one pretends to go one way but goes another” [8] (CSB).
These people are evil, and they rejoice in the wickedness of others who reject God.
“Such people have left the straight path and now walk in darkness. They enjoy doing evil and are happy with the confusion it brings. Their ways are crooked; they lie and cheat” [9] (Proverbs 2:13-15, HSB).
Quote: “Our call is to be what we are. Jesus has made us new creatures in Christ; He has made us upright. Our duty is to walk in that uprightness” [10] (EWC).
[1] BDB – Brown, Driver, Briggs. Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] JFB, Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 396.
[3] EWC – David Guzik. Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[4] FSB, John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Pr 14:2–3.
[5] BKC, Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 934.
[6] Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Pr 14:2.
[7] EWC, ibid.
[8] CSB, David K. Stabnow, “Proverbs,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 972.
[9] HSB is the Harvest Study Bible from Harvest Ministries in Guam.
[10] EWC, ibid.