Proverbs 2:14 - The Benefits of Wisdom

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Context

The Benefits of Wisdom
…13from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness, 14from those who enjoy doing evil and rejoice in the twistedness of evil, 15whose paths are crooked and whose ways are devious.…

Cross References

Romans 1:32
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them.Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.Micah 7:3
Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.Jeremiah 11:15
What right has My beloved in My house, having carried out so many evil schemes? Can consecrated meat avert your doom? When you are wicked, then you rejoice.Psalm 50:18
When you see a thief, you befriend him, and throw in your lot with adulterers.Ephesians 5:11-12
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. / For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.2 Thessalonians 2:12
in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.Isaiah 3:9
The expression on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster upon themselves.Jeremiah 6:15
Are they ashamed of the abomination they have committed? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush. So they will fall among the fallen; when I punish them, they will collapse,” says the LORD.1 Corinthians 13:6
Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth.Psalm 10:3
For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.Isaiah 57:4
Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit,2 Peter 2:13
The harm they will suffer is the wages of their wickedness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deception as they feast with you.Hosea 7:3
They delight the king with their evil, and the princes with their lies.Matthew 23:28
In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Proverbs 10:23
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.

Jeremiah 11:15
What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from thee? when thou doest evil, then thou rejoicest.

Habakkuk 1:15
They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.

and

Hosea 7:3
They make the king glad with their wickedness, and the princes with their lies.

Luke 22:4,5
And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them…

Romans 1:32
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

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Proverbs 2

from those who enjoy doing evil
This phrase highlights the nature of certain individuals who find pleasure in wrongdoing. Biblically, this is a recurring theme where the wicked are depicted as taking delight in their sinful actions (Psalm 52:3, Micah 7:3). The enjoyment of evil suggests a hardened heart, one that is resistant to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Historically, this reflects the cultural context of ancient Israel, where idolatry and moral corruption were prevalent, often leading people away from God's commandments. The phrase serves as a warning to avoid the influence of such individuals, emphasizing the importance of choosing companions wisely (1 Corinthians 15:33).

and rejoice in the twistedness of evil
Rejoicing in evil indicates a deeper level of depravity, where not only are evil acts committed, but they are celebrated. This mirrors the condition described in Romans 1:32, where people not only practice unrighteousness but also approve of those who do. The term "twistedness" suggests a perversion of what is good and right, aligning with the biblical concept of sin as a distortion of God's perfect order. This rejoicing in perversion is a stark contrast to the joy found in righteousness and truth (Philippians 4:8). Theologically, this phrase underscores the battle between light and darkness, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture, and points to the ultimate triumph of good over evil through Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of truth and righteousness (John 14:6).

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Wicked
This verse refers to individuals who find joy and satisfaction in committing acts that are morally wrong or contrary to God's commandments. They are characterized by their delight in evil and perverse actions.

2. The Path of Wisdom
While not directly mentioned in this verse, the broader context of Proverbs 2 contrasts the path of wisdom with the path of wickedness. The chapter encourages the pursuit of wisdom and understanding as a means to avoid the pitfalls of evil.

3. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon is known for his wisdom. He provides these teachings to guide others in living a life that honors God.

Teaching Points

The Nature of Wickedness
Wickedness is not just about actions but also about the heart's attitude. Delighting in evil reveals a deep-seated rebellion against God's righteousness.

Guarding the Heart
Believers are called to guard their hearts against finding pleasure in sin. This requires constant vigilance and a commitment to God's Word.

The Consequences of Perversity
Rejoicing in evil leads to spiritual and often physical destruction. Understanding the consequences can motivate us to seek wisdom and righteousness.

Pursuing Wisdom
The antidote to delighting in evil is the pursuit of wisdom. By seeking God's wisdom, we align our desires with His and find true joy in righteousness.

Community Influence
Surrounding ourselves with those who delight in righteousness rather than evil can help us stay on the path of wisdom.

(14) Delight in the frowardness of the wicked.--This positive taking pleasure in evil is mentioned by St. Paul (Romans 1:32) as the last stage of degradation.

Verse 14. - Who rejoice to do evil. Another element is here brought forward, and the description increases in intensity. The wicked not only rejoice to do evil themselves, but they exult when they hear of evil in others (cf. Romans 1:32). Such may be the interpretation, though the latter part, of the verse is capable of a different and more general rendering as signifying exultation in evil generally, whether it appears in themselves or others. The expression rendered in the Authorized Version, in the frowardness of the wicked, is in the original (בְּתַחְפֻכות רַע b'thah'pucoth ra), in the perverseness of evil, or in evil perverseness, where the combination of the two nouns serves to give force to the main idea, which is that of perverseness. This rendering is adopted in the LXX., ἐπὶ διαστροφῇ κακῇ, "in evil distortion;" in the Vulgate, in pessimis rebus; in the Targum, Syriac, and Arabic, in conversatione mala, "in a bad course of conduct;" and in the Targum, in malitiae perversione, "in the perversion of wickedness." It is not perverseness in its simple and common form that these men exult in. but in its worst and most vicious form (for a similar construction, see Proverbs 6:24; Proverbs 15:26; and Proverbs 28:5). How widely different is the conduct of charity, which "rejoiceth not in iniquity" (1 Corinthians 13:6)! Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

from those who enjoy
הַ֭שְּׂמֵחִים (haś·śə·mê·ḥîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 8056: Glad, joyful, merry

doing
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

evil
רָ֑ע (rā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

and rejoice
יָ֝גִ֗ילוּ (yā·ḡî·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1523: To spin round, rejoice, fear

in the twistedness
בְּֽתַהְפֻּכ֥וֹת (bə·ṯah·pu·ḵō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 8419: Perversity, perverse thing

of evil,
רָֽע׃ (rā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

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