Proverbs 10:16

KJV

¶ The labour of the righteous [tendeth] to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

KJV (with Strong's)

The labour {H6468} of the righteous {H6662} tendeth to life {H2416}: the fruit {H8393} of the wicked {H7563} to sin {H2403}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The activity of the righteous is for life; the income of the wicked is for sin.

Berean Standard Bible

The labor of the righteous leads to life, but the gain of the wicked brings punishment.

American Standard Version

The labor of the righteoustendethto life; The increase of the wicked, to sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 10:16 articulates a foundational principle of biblical wisdom, starkly contrasting the ultimate outcomes of lives lived in righteousness versus wickedness. It asserts that the diligent efforts and character of the righteous inherently lead to flourishing and true life, while the actions and produce of the wicked inevitably result in deeper sin or its destructive consequences, underscoring God's established moral order in the world.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 10 initiates the "Proverbs of Solomon," a significant collection (chapters 10-22) primarily characterized by **antithetical parallelism**. This literary device presents two contrasting ideas, often in a single verse, to highlight the wisdom of one path and the folly of another. Each proverb typically stands as an independent maxim, yet collectively, they build a comprehensive picture of righteous living versus wicked behavior. Proverbs 10:16 fits perfectly within this structure, setting the "labour of the righteous" against the "fruit of the wicked," thereby emphasizing the divergent destinies shaped by moral choices. The chapter repeatedly juxtaposes the wise and foolish, the diligent and lazy, the righteous and wicked, making the consequences of each path abundantly clear.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Proverbs emerges from the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, though uniquely rooted in Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. Wisdom literature in this period often focused on practical instruction for living a good and successful life, emphasizing prudence, diligence, and moral integrity. In ancient Israelite society, agricultural metaphors like "labour" and "fruit" were deeply resonant, as life was intimately tied to the land and its produce. The concept of "life" (Hebrew: *chayyim*) extended beyond mere physical existence to encompass holistic well-being, prosperity, security, and a right relationship with God and community—what is often termed *shalom*. Conversely, "sin" (Hebrew: *chaṭṭâʼâh*) was understood not merely as an isolated act but as a state of alienation from God and a destructive force that unravels individual and communal flourishing.

* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 10:16 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Proverbs and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the **Consequences of Conduct**, affirming that actions have inevitable outcomes, whether positive or negative. This is a core tenet of wisdom literature, reinforcing the idea that one "reaps what one sows," a principle echoed in [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping"). The verse also highlights the stark contrast between **Life and Death/Sin**, presenting "life" as the ultimate reward for righteousness—a multifaceted concept encompassing spiritual vitality, physical well-being, and divine favor—and "sin" as the destructive end of wickedness. This dichotomy is fundamental to biblical theology, as seen in the choice presented in [Deuteronomy 30:19](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19 - Choose Life"). Furthermore, the proverb underscores the **Divine Justice and Moral Order** inherent in God's creation. It posits that the universe is not chaotic but operates according to predictable moral laws, where righteous living is inherently aligned with the path to flourishing, and wickedness leads to ruin, reflecting God's consistent governance over human affairs as described throughout [the book of Proverbs](/proverbs/1 "Proverbs - The Book of Proverbs").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **labour (Hebrew, _pᵉʻullâh'_):** This word denotes "work," "labor," or "wages/reward." It refers to the diligent effort, activity, or exertion that one undertakes. When applied to the righteous, it implies purposeful, God-honoring work, the output of their character and efforts. The term can also carry the nuance of the *result* or *reward* of that labor, setting up the direct connection to "life."
* **life (Hebrew, _chay'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to live," this term signifies being "alive." More profoundly, especially in wisdom literature, it encompasses holistic well-being, vitality, prosperity, and spiritual flourishing. It is not merely physical existence but a state of abundant, meaningful, and God-blessed existence, often associated with *shalom*.
* **sin (Hebrew, _chaṭṭâʼâh'_):** This word broadly refers to "an offense," "sinfulness," "its penalty," or "expiation." In this context, it primarily denotes the act of transgression, the state of being morally wrong, and crucially, the destructive consequences that inevitably follow from such actions. It represents the antithesis of "life," leading to decay, separation, and spiritual death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The labour of the righteous tendeth to life":** This clause asserts that the diligent efforts, the character-driven activities, and the very way of life of those who are morally upright and aligned with God's will are inherently directed towards, and result in, genuine life. This "life" is comprehensive, encompassing spiritual vitality, physical well-being, peace, prosperity, and a flourishing existence in harmony with God's design. It suggests that righteous living is not a burden but a pathway to true fulfillment and blessing.
* **"the fruit of the wicked to sin.":** In stark contrast, this clause declares that the outcomes, the produce, or the yield of the wicked's actions and character lead directly to "sin." This "sin" is not just an isolated act but represents a compounding effect—more transgression, deeper moral decay, and the ultimate destructive consequences that flow from a life lived in rebellion against God's standards. The "fruit" here signifies the natural, inescapable harvest of their corrupt choices and endeavors.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Proverbs 10:16 is **Antithetical Parallelism**. This structure is characteristic of much of the book of Proverbs, where two lines express contrasting ideas, with the second line presenting the opposite of the first. Here, "the labour of the righteous" is directly contrasted with "the fruit of the wicked," and their respective outcomes, "to life" versus "to sin," are set in stark opposition. This device effectively highlights the profound difference between the two paths and their inevitable consequences. Additionally, the proverb uses **Metaphor**, where "labour" and "fruit" serve as metaphors for the actions and outcomes of one's life. "Labour" represents the effort and character of the righteous, while "fruit" represents the harvest or consequences of the wicked's deeds. The use of "life" and "sin" as ultimate destinations also functions as a form of **Merism**, representing the full spectrum of possible human outcomes—from ultimate flourishing to ultimate destruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 10:16 powerfully articulates a fundamental theological truth: God has established a moral order in the universe where actions have consequences. It reinforces the principle of divine justice, not merely as punitive judgment, but as the inherent outcome of living in alignment with or in opposition to God's ways. The "life" offered to the righteous is not earned merit in a salvific sense, but the natural flourishing that results from walking in wisdom and obedience, reflecting God's design for humanity. Conversely, the "sin" that consumes the wicked is both the continuation of their rebellion and the just recompense for their choices, demonstrating the self-destructive nature of unrighteousness. This proverb serves as a clear call to choose the path of righteousness, trusting in God's consistent and just governance.

* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7-8 - Sowing and Reaping"): "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and the Gift of God"): "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
* [Psalm 1:1](/psalms/1-1 "Psalm 1:1-3 - The Way of the Righteous"): "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 10:16 challenges us to deeply examine the trajectory of our lives, prompting a profound introspection into the nature of our daily efforts and their ultimate destination. It compels us to consider whether our "labour"—our work, our relationships, our choices, and our very character—is genuinely "tending to life" in its fullest, most abundant sense, or if our "fruit" is leading us down a path of increasing "sin" and its destructive consequences. This proverb encourages a long-term perspective, reminding us that immediate gratification or fleeting gains from unrighteousness are ultimately self-defeating, while consistent, God-honoring effort yields lasting and meaningful flourishing. It calls us to cultivate a character rooted in righteousness, trusting that God's moral order ensures that such a life, though it may involve struggle, is the only true path to genuine well-being and spiritual vitality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "life" truly mean to me, and how do my daily efforts align with pursuing that kind of life?**
* **In what areas of my life might my "fruit" be tending towards "sin" or its negative consequences, and what steps can I take to redirect my efforts?**
* **How does this proverb encourage me to view my work and responsibilities not just as tasks, but as opportunities to cultivate righteousness and experience God's blessing?**
* **Considering the long-term implications, what changes might I need to make in my priorities or habits to ensure my "labour" is consistently tending to "life"?**

### FAQ

**Does "life" in this proverb refer only to physical life, or something more?**

Answer: While physical existence is certainly part of "life," the Hebrew word *chay* (H2416) in wisdom literature, especially in Proverbs, signifies much more than mere biological existence. It encompasses holistic well-being, spiritual vitality, prosperity, peace (shalom), and a flourishing existence in harmony with God's design. It refers to a life that is full, meaningful, and blessed, both in this world and with an eternal dimension. Conversely, "sin" (H2403) is not just an act but a state of spiritual decay and the ultimate destructive consequences that lead away from this abundant life.

**Is this proverb suggesting that we can earn our salvation through good works?**

Answer: No, Proverbs 10:16 is not a statement about salvation by works. Instead, it operates within the framework of wisdom literature, which focuses on the natural, inherent consequences of living according to or against God's established moral order. It highlights the principle of divine justice and the cause-and-effect relationship between character, actions, and outcomes in this life. The "life" described is the flourishing that comes from living wisely and righteously, while "sin" is the self-destructive outcome of wickedness. Salvation, as understood in the broader biblical narrative, is a gift of God's grace through faith, not earned by human effort, as articulated in [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace through Faith").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 10:16 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the perfectly righteous one (H6662, *tsaddîyq*), whose entire "labour" (H6468, *pᵉʻullâh*) was supremely directed "to life" (H2416, *chay*) for all humanity. Unlike any other, Jesus lived a life of absolute obedience to God, culminating in His sacrificial death and resurrection. His "work" on the cross was not for His own benefit, but for the life of the world, as He declared, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). He bore the "fruit of the wicked"—the penalty of sin (H2403, *chaṭṭâʼâh*)—in His own body, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Thus, the proverb's stark contrast is resolved in Christ: His perfect righteousness leads to eternal life for all who believe, while He, by His sacrifice, absorbed the destructive "fruit" of our sin, offering us redemption and true life, fulfilling the very essence of what it means for "labour" to lead "to life" and overcoming the reign of "sin."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 3:10

Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

Isaiah 3:11

Woe unto the wicked! [it shall be] ill [with him]: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.

John 6:27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Hebrews 6:10

For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Proverbs 11:18

¶ The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness [shall be] a sure reward.

Proverbs 11:19

¶ As righteousness [tendeth] to life: so he that pursueth evil [pursueth it] to his own death.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.