New International Version
Proverbs 27:5
5Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Proverbs 27:5 in other versions
Context of Proverbs 27:5
3Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both. 4Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 6Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. 7One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.
Read all of Proverbs 27Proverbs 27:5 word by word
ט֭וֹבָה תּוֹכַ֣חַת מְגֻלָּ֑ה מֵֽאַהֲבָ֥ה מְסֻתָּֽרֶת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 27:5
- Proverbs 28:23Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.
- Leviticus 19:17“ ‘Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.
- Matthew 18:15“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
- Galatians 2:14When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
- 1 Timothy 5:20But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.
Commentaries on Proverbs 27:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5Open rebuke is better than secret love - Plutarch gives an account of a man who, aiming a blow at his enemy's life, cut open an imposthume, which by a salutary discharge saved his life, that was sinking under a disease for which a remedy could not be found. Partial friendship covers faults; envy, malice, and revenge, will exhibit, heighten, and even multiply them. The former conceals us from ourselves; the latter shows us the worst part of our character…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5Secret love - Better, love that is hidden; i. e., love which never shows itself in this one way of rebuking faults. Rebuke, whether from friend or foe, is better than such love.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-6Verses 5-6 Plain and faithful rebukes are better, not only than secret hatred, but than love which compliments in sin, to the hurt of the soul.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5A rebuke can improve life by correcting harmful behavior (Proverbs 13:1; 14:6). Hidden, unexpressed love has no value.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 5-65-6. secret love--not manifested in acts is useless; and even, if its exhibition by rebukes wounds us, such love is preferable to the frequent (compare Margin), and hence deceitful, kisses of an enemy.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 27:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 27
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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