TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Proverbs 10:2–3.
These two verses speak to the same purport, and the latter may be the reason of the former. 1. That wealth which men get unjustly will do them no good, because God will blast it: Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, Pro 10:2. The treasures of wicked people, much more the treasure which they have made themselves masters of by any wicked people, by oppression of fraud, though it be ever so much, as a treasure, and laid up ever so safely, though it be hidden treasure, yet it profits nothing; when profit and loss come to be balanced the profit gained by the treasures will by no means countervail the loss sustained by the wickedness, Mat 16:26. They do not profit the soul; they will not purchase any true comfort or happiness. They will stand a man in no stead at death, or in the judgment of the great day; and the reason is because God casts away the substance of the wicked (Pro 10:3); he takes that from them which they have unjustly gotten; he rejects the consideration of it, not regarding the rich more than the poor. We often see that scattered by the justice of God which has been gathered together by the injustice of men. How can the treasures of wickedness profit, when, though it be counted substance, God casts it away and it vanishes as a shadow? 2. That which is honestly got will turn to a good account, for God will bless it. Righteousness delivers from death, that is, wealth gained, and kept, and used, in a right manner (righteousness signifies both honesty and charity); it answers the end of wealth, which is to keep us alive and be a defence to us. It will deliver from those judgments which men bring upon themselves by their wickedness. It will profit to such a degree as to deliver, though not from the stroke of death, yet from the sting of it, and consequently from the terror of it. For the Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish (Pro 10:3), and so their righteousness delivers from death, purely by the favour of God to them, which is their life and livelihood, and which will keep them alive in famine. The soul of the righteous shall be kept alive by the word of God, and faith in his promise, when young lions shall lack and suffer hunger.
Historical interpretation
Five Centuries of Reception
6 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Do you fear that your patrimony may fail if you begin to act generously from it? For when did it happen that resources could fail a just person, when it is written, “The Lord will not afflict the soul of the just with famine.”
If the life of the wicked is malicious and the Lord will overturn it, then it is clear that at some point the wicked will no longer be wicked. For, after that “reversal,” “the Lord will pass the kingdom over to God the Father,” so that God may be “all in all.”
“Treasures bring no profit to the unrighteous.” What then? Did not many avoid death by paying money? Certainly, but they did not get free from sin and in fact they prepared for themselves a life much worse than death. Therefore let us not put our confidence in wealth but in virtue. Indeed when justice comes to deadly sins, people are taken away by death. Would they not rather receive profit from being righteous than from treasures amassed on the earth, “where they grow rusty and moth-eaten, and thieves break in to steal them?” Thus, justice not only saves those who possess it but also leads many others to desire it, and always transports them from death to eternal immortality.
Be obedient to your bishop and welcome him as the parent of your soul.… In your case the bishop combines in himself many titles to your respect. He is at once a monk, a prelate and an uncle who has before now instructed you in all holy things. This also I say that the bishops should know themselves to be priests, not lords. Let them render to the clergy the honor which is their due that the clergy may offer to them the respect which belongs to bishops.… It is a bad custom which prevails in certain churches for presbyters to be silent when bishops are present on the ground that they would be jealous or impatient hearers. “If anything,” writes the apostle Paul, “be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace. For you may all prophesy one by one that all may learn and all may be comforted; and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace.” “A wise son makes a glad father,” and a bishop should rejoice in the discrimination which has led him to choose such for the priests of Christ.
If a man cast his seed in ground that is fertile [only] in thorns, and fruitful in briars, and densely covered with useless stubble, he sustains a double loss; of his seed first, and also of his trouble. In order, therefore, that the divine seed may blossom well in us, let us first cast out of the mind worldly cares and the unprofitable anxiety which makes us seek to be rich. “For we brought nothing into the world, nor can we take anything out.” For what profit is there in possessing superfluities? “Treasures profit not the wicked,” as Scripture says, “but righteousness delivers from death.” For immediately upon the possession of affluence, there run up, and, so to speak, forthwith hem us in, the basest wickednesses; profligate banquets, the delights of gluttony and carefully prepared sauces; music and drunkenness, and the pitfalls of wantonness; pleasures and sensuality, and pride hateful to God. But as the disciple of the Savior has said, “Everything that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eye, and the pride of the world; and the world passes away, and its lust; but he that does the will of God abides for ever.”
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, etc. And often from temporal death, as with Daniel and the three youths, and always from eternal death, righteousness delivers. But treasures gathered through wickedness, even if they seem sometimes to rescue from bodily death, bring more harm because of the wickedness by which they were acquired, than benefit in being given in exchange for life.
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Summary
Proverbs 10:2 delivers a profound and foundational truth within the Solomonic wisdom tradition, establishing a stark dichotomy between the ultimate futility of wealth accumulated through unrighteous means and the enduring, life-preserving power of a righteous life. It asserts that material gain obtained through illicit methods offers no lasting benefit, security, or true advantage, especially in the face of ultimate judgment. In contrast, adherence to God's moral standards and a life characterized by integrity provide genuine deliverance, not merely from temporal perils but from the profound and destructive consequences of sin, culminating in spiritual death. This proverb encapsulates a core principle of divine justice, demonstrating that authentic prosperity and security are rooted in alignment with God's character and will, rather than in fleeting earthly treasures.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 10:2 serves as a foundational verse, effectively inaugurating the extensive collection known as the "Proverbs of Solomon" (chapters 10-22). This section dramatically shifts from the longer, thematic discourses and parental admonitions of Proverbs 1-9 to a series of concise, independent, and often antithetical couplets. Each proverb in this collection typically stands alone, offering a distinct insight into wisdom, morality, and the consequences of human actions. Verse 2 immediately establishes the dominant literary and theological pattern for this entire section: a sharp contrast between the "way of the righteous" and the "way of the wicked," juxtaposing their respective behaviors and the inevitable, divinely ordained outcomes. This antithetical parallelism becomes the primary pedagogical tool, driving home the moral imperative to choose wisdom over folly.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Book of Proverbs emerged from ancient Israel's rich wisdom tradition, which sought to understand and articulate the moral order of the cosmos established by God, instructing individuals on how to live wisely and successfully within that divine framework. In a society where economic disparities were common and the temptation for dishonest gain was ever-present, proverbs like this provided a crucial ethical compass. Wealth and possessions ("treasures") were tangible indicators of success, but the wisdom literature consistently challenged the notion that material prosperity, particularly when ill-gotten, equated to true blessing or security. Instead, it emphasized the paramount importance of integrity, justice, and community well-being, reflecting a worldview where God's covenantal demands permeated all aspects of life, including economic practices and social interactions.
Key Themes
This proverb contributes significantly to several overarching themes prevalent throughout the book of Proverbs and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the Futility of Ill-Gotten Gain, asserting that wealth acquired through injustice, deceit, or oppression ultimately offers no true advantage or lasting security, often leading to ruin and divine judgment. This theme is echoed in passages like Proverbs 13:11, which states that "wealth gained dishonestly will dwindle away." Secondly, it articulates the Life-Giving Power of Righteousness, portraying righteousness not merely as a moral virtue but as an active, preserving force that protects and delivers from the destructive consequences of sin, including death itself. This concept is further developed in Proverbs 11:4, which declares, "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." Lastly, the verse subtly yet profoundly highlights the theme of Divine Justice and Retribution, implying that God's moral order ensures that actions have inherent consequences. While the wicked may appear to prosper temporarily, their gains are ultimately hollow, whereas the righteous are ultimately protected and blessed by God, as seen in Proverbs 28:6, which states, "Better the poor who walks in integrity than one who is crooked in his ways though he be rich."
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Meaning "a depository; armory, cellar, garner, store(-house), treasure(-house) (-y)." This term refers to accumulated wealth, stored riches, or valuable possessions. In the context of "treasures of wickedness," it specifically denotes material wealth that has been hoarded or acquired through illicit means, emphasizing its tangible nature and its tainted, unrighteous source.
Meaning "a wrong (especially moral); iniquity, wicked(-ness)." This comprehensive term signifies moral evil, ungodliness, injustice, or actions that violate God's law and righteous standards. When paired with "treasures," it unequivocally specifies that the wealth in question is tainted by sin, deceit, oppression, or any conduct contrary to divine righteousness.
Meaning "rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)." This multifaceted term encompasses moral integrity, justice, conformity to God's revealed will, and upright conduct. It denotes not merely a legal standing but an active, virtuous way of life that aligns with God's character and commands, reflecting a life lived in accordance with divine standards.
Verse Breakdown
"Treasures of wickedness profit nothing"
This initial clause declares the ultimate futility and inherent emptiness of wealth accumulated through unrighteous or immoral means. The Hebrew verb for "profit" (H3276, yaʻal) carries the sense of gaining value, being beneficial, or providing advantage. The emphatic assertion "profit nothing" (literally, "do not benefit") underscores that such ill-gotten gains, despite their superficial appearance of advantage or security, utterly fail to provide true security, lasting satisfaction, or genuine deliverance when it truly matters, particularly in the face of divine judgment, adversity, or the ultimate reality of death. Such wealth proves to be a hollow deception.
"but righteousness delivereth from death"
This contrasting clause powerfully highlights the profound and redemptive power of a life lived in righteousness. The Hebrew verb for "delivereth" (H5337, nâtsal) means "to snatch away," "rescue," "preserve," or "set free." "Death" (H4194, mâveth) refers not only to physical demise but also, in a deeper theological sense, to the spiritual death that is the ultimate consequence of sin, separation from God, and eternal ruin. Thus, righteousness is depicted as an active, dynamic force that rescues one from the destructive forces of sin and its ultimate outcome, leading to true, holistic life and well-being, both in this world and the world to come.
Literary Devices
Proverbs 10:2 is a quintessential example of Antithetical Parallelism, a foundational literary device in Hebrew wisdom literature. This technique presents two contrasting ideas or statements in parallel, with the second line expressing the opposite of the first, thereby sharply highlighting the difference between two paths, behaviors, or outcomes. Here, the "treasures of wickedness" are set in direct opposition to "righteousness," and their respective consequences—"profit nothing" versus "delivereth from death"—are starkly contrasted. This structure effectively underscores the moral choice and its inevitable, divinely ordained consequences. Additionally, there is a subtle yet significant element of Personification, where "righteousness" is depicted as an active agent capable of "delivering" or rescuing, endowing an abstract moral concept with the ability to perform a life-saving action, emphasizing its dynamic and preserving power.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Proverbs 10:2 resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of God's moral order and the inherent consequences of human actions within that order. It teaches that true value, enduring security, and ultimate well-being are not found in material possessions, especially those gained unjustly, but in a life lived in conformity to God's righteous character and commands. This aligns seamlessly with the broader biblical narrative, which consistently affirms that God's justice ultimately prevails, and His covenant people are called to live righteously, trusting in His sovereign provision and protection rather than in fleeting worldly gains or self-serving accumulation. The proverb foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on seeking first God's kingdom and His righteousness, understanding that true life, abundant blessing, and eternal salvation are found exclusively in Him, not in the accumulation of earthly wealth or the pursuit of temporal power.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 10:2 serves as a timeless and urgent challenge to re-evaluate our deepest priorities and the true sources of our perceived security and well-being. In a world often consumed by the relentless pursuit of wealth and material success, this proverb stands as a powerful reminder that not all gain is true gain, and some "treasures"—particularly those acquired through compromise, dishonesty, or exploitation—are ultimately worthless and even destructive. It compels us to critically examine the ethical implications of our economic activities, our professional conduct, and our personal aspirations, urging us to prioritize integrity, justice, and godliness above all else. A life of righteousness, characterized by honesty, compassion, obedience to God's Word, and a commitment to His justice, is portrayed as the ultimate safeguard and the wellspring of true, enduring life. This means actively pursuing what is right in God's eyes, even when it appears to come at a significant personal or financial cost, trusting implicitly that His way leads to genuine and lasting deliverance from the destructive power of sin and death, and to true flourishing.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "delivereth from death" only refer to physical death?
While "death" (Hebrew: mâveth) can certainly refer to physical demise, and righteous living can indeed protect one from the dangers often associated with a wicked or reckless lifestyle (e.g., violence, legal repercussions, self-destruction), the wisdom literature, and the Bible as a whole, frequently employs "death" in a broader, more profound theological sense. It encompasses spiritual death, which is separation from God, ultimate ruin, and the eternal consequences of sin. Therefore, "righteousness delivereth from death" speaks to a holistic deliverance: from the destructive patterns and immediate perils of sin in this life, and more significantly, from eternal separation from God, leading to true, abundant, and everlasting life. This deeper meaning is powerfully echoed in New Testament passages like John 5:24, where Jesus states that those who hear His word and believe in God "has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life."
How does this proverb relate to the New Testament concept of grace?
Proverbs 10:2 emphasizes the beneficial and protective outcomes of righteous living within God's divinely established moral order, highlighting the principle that actions have inherent consequences. While it powerfully articulates the fruit of righteousness, it does not explicitly detail the means by which one becomes righteous in God's sight. The New Testament profoundly reveals that true righteousness is not primarily achieved through human effort or perfect adherence to the law, but is a divine gift, freely received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (see Romans 3:21-24). It is Christ's perfect righteousness that is imputed to believers. However, this gifted righteousness then empowers and enables believers, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, to live righteously, producing the good fruit and experiencing the protective and life-giving benefits described in Proverbs. Thus, Proverbs 10:2 describes the blessed outcome of righteousness, while the New Testament reveals the divine source and means of that righteousness in Christ.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Proverbs 10:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the proverb speaks of righteousness as an active force that delivers from death, it is in Christ alone that perfect righteousness is fully embodied and truly effective for humanity. Humanity, inherently unrighteous and incapable of earning deliverance through its own efforts (as powerfully articulated in Romans 3:10), stands condemned by its own wickedness. Yet, Christ, who "knew no sin, became sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). His perfectly obedient life, His sacrificial death on the cross, and His victorious resurrection constitute the ultimate act of divine righteousness that delivers from death—not merely physical death, but the spiritual and eternal death that is the just "wages of sin" (Romans 6:23). Through faith in Him, believers are clothed in His imputed righteousness and receive the glorious gift of eternal life, truly being snatched away from the power and dominion of death. Thus, this proverb points beyond human striving to the divine, redemptive work of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, providing the only true, complete, and lasting deliverance.