Proverbs 11:31

KJV

¶ Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, the righteous {H6662} shall be recompensed {H7999} in the earth {H776}: much more the wicked {H7563} and the sinner {H2398}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If the righteous are paid what they deserve here on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!

Berean Standard Bible

If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

American Standard Version

Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; How much more the wicked and the sinner!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 11:31 serves as a profound declaration of divine justice, asserting that consequences for both the righteous and the wicked are not merely reserved for an afterlife but are demonstrably evident within this earthly existence. It functions as a stark reminder of God's active involvement in human affairs, ensuring that all receive their due, with a particularly emphatic warning regarding the certain and severe recompense awaiting those who persist in unrighteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 11:31 stands as a concluding and summarizing statement within a chapter primarily dedicated to contrasting the divergent destinies and characteristics of the righteous and the wicked. Chapter 11 initiates its discourse with a focus on the antithesis between integrity and dishonesty, subsequently exploring themes such as pride versus humility, generosity versus greed, and the ultimate outcomes of these moral choices. Verses immediately preceding 11:31, such as [Proverbs 11:18](/proverbs/11-18 "Proverbs 11:18 - The Sure Reward of Righteousness"), explicitly discuss the "sure reward" for the righteous and the "deceitful wages" for the wicked. This verse functions as a powerful capstone, affirming the universal principle of divine retribution that undergirds the practical wisdom offered throughout the chapter and, indeed, the entire book of Proverbs. It powerfully reinforces the idea that God's moral order is actively enforced within the created world.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Proverbs emerged from ancient Israel, a society intrinsically bound by a covenant relationship with Yahweh. This covenant fundamentally emphasized the principle of divine retribution, wherein obedience to God's laws typically brought blessings, and disobedience resulted in curses, often observed within the temporal realm, as vividly articulated in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). While wisdom literature, including Proverbs, acknowledges the intricate complexities of life and does not always present a simplistic cause-and-effect (as notably explored in the Book of Job), it consistently upholds the belief that God is inherently just and actively governs the world. The concept of "recompense in the earth" would resonate deeply with an audience familiar with the idea that both national and individual prosperity or adversity were frequently perceived as direct consequences of their faithfulness or unfaithfulness to the covenant. This verse speaks to a pervasive worldview where God maintains sovereignty over all aspects of life, including the inevitable consequences of human actions.

* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 11:31 powerfully articulates the pervasive theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution** found throughout the wisdom literature. It underscores that God's moral order is not a passive or abstract concept but an active force that intervenes in human affairs, ensuring that actions have consequences. This verse also significantly contributes to the overarching **Contrast Between the Righteous and the Wicked**, a foundational theme in Proverbs, highlighting their divergent paths and ultimate outcomes, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 10:25](/proverbs/10-25 "Proverbs 10:25 - The Righteous Stand Firm, The Wicked Are Swept Away"). Furthermore, it speaks to the **Immediacy of Consequences**, emphasizing that recompense is experienced "in the earth," not solely in a distant afterlife, though it certainly does not preclude eternal judgment. This earthly dimension of justice serves as both a warning and an encouragement, affirming that God's governance is present and observable, aligning with principles such as those found in [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **recompensed (Hebrew, _shâlam'_):** From H7999, a primitive root meaning "to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications)." In this context, it signifies "to be repaid," "requited," or "to receive one's due." It implies a full settlement or completion of what is owed, whether good or bad, aligning with the idea of a full payment or restoration. For the righteous, this can include divine discipline or the natural consequences of living in a fallen world, which ultimately refine them. For the wicked, it means receiving the just penalty for their actions.
* **righteous (Hebrew, _tsaddîyq'_):** From H6662, meaning "just; just, lawful, righteous (man)." It refers to one who is in right standing with God, acting in accordance with His moral and ethical standards. This righteousness is not necessarily human perfection but a genuine orientation of heart and life towards God's will and covenant. Even these individuals, though favored by God, are not exempt from the trials, tribulations, and disciplines that are part of life in a fallen world and God's refining process.
* **wicked (Hebrew, _râshâʻ'_):** From H7563, meaning "morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person; [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong." This term describes those who are ungodly, guilty, and who live in active opposition to God's ways. The verse emphatically states that if the righteous, who strive for good, face earthly consequences, then those who actively pursue evil will undoubtedly face a far more severe and certain reckoning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth:"** The opening interjection "Behold" (from the Hebrew _hinneh_) serves as a powerful call to attention, signaling the weighty and significant truth that follows. This clause declares that even those who are just and upright before God will experience a form of "recompense" or "payment" within this earthly life. This "recompense" for the righteous can encompass various forms: the natural consequences of living in a fallen world, the trials and tribulations that test and strengthen faith, or even divine discipline intended for their refinement, growth, and sanctification, rather than punitive judgment for their righteousness. It underscores that no one, not even the righteous, is entirely exempt from the realities of earthly accountability and God's sovereign hand.
* **"much more the wicked and the sinner."** This second clause introduces a profound contrast and an emphatic escalation of the principle of recompense. The phrase "much more" (or "how much more") functions as an _a fortiori_ argument, asserting that if the righteous, who are God's people, experience earthly recompense, then it is absolutely certain and far more severe for the wicked and the sinner. "Wicked" (_râshâʻ_) denotes those who are actively ungodly and morally corrupt, characterized by deliberate rebellion against God. "Sinner" (_châṭâʼ_) refers to one who misses the mark, transgresses, or is guilty of wrongdoing. This parallelism underscores the inevitability and greater severity of judgment awaiting those who persist in rebellion against God's standards, emphasizing the certainty of their earthly reckoning.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 11:31 masterfully employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its message with striking clarity and impact. The most prominent is **Antithetical Parallelism**, a foundational characteristic of Hebrew poetry, where two lines express contrasting ideas to highlight a truth. Here, the "righteous" are set in stark opposition to "the wicked and the sinner," vividly illustrating their divergent paths and ultimate fates. The phrase "much more" functions as a powerful **A Fortiori Argument**, a logical device that asserts that if a lesser case (recompense for the righteous) is true, then a greater case (recompense for the wicked) is even more certainly true and of greater magnitude. This creates a compelling sense of escalating consequence and divine certainty. The initial "Behold" acts as an **Interjection**, serving to immediately arrest the reader's attention and underscore the profound nature of the truth being presented. There is also an element of **Paradox** or nuanced understanding in the idea that the "righteous" are "recompensed" in the earth, which might initially sound negative. However, within the biblical framework, this "recompense" for the righteous often includes divine discipline, testing, and refinement, which are ultimately for their good and growth, standing in sharp contrast to the destructive and punitive recompense of the wicked.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 11:31 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the biblical doctrine of divine justice and the active governance of God in the world. It asserts that God's moral order is not an abstract concept or a distant future event, but a present reality, with consequences for human actions unfolding "in the earth." This truth challenges any notion that unrighteousness goes unpunished or that righteousness is without its own form of earthly accountability or refining processes. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to upholding justice, ensuring that no one escapes the natural and divine consequences of their choices. While the ultimate judgment is eternal, this proverb emphasizes that God's justice is also at work in the temporal realm, serving as both a warning to the ungodly and an assurance of His sovereign control and faithfulness to His people.

* [Psalm 58:11](/psalm/58-11 "Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.")
* [Romans 2:6](/romans/2-6 "God will repay each person according to what they have done.")
* [1 Peter 4:17](/1_peter/4-17 "For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 11:31 calls us to a sober and profound reflection on the pervasive reality of God's justice in our daily lives. For the believer, the idea that "the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth" is not a threat but rather an invitation to trust deeply in God's refining and sanctifying hand. It reminds us that even our struggles, disciplines, and the natural consequences of living in a fallen world are integral parts of God's sovereign plan to shape us, to test our faith, and to draw us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him. This perspective transforms adversity from a sign of abandonment into an instrument of grace and growth. Conversely, the emphatic warning to "the wicked and the sinner" serves as a powerful evangelistic imperative and a urgent call to repentance. It underscores that delaying repentance or dismissing the inevitable consequences of sin is a perilous and ultimately destructive path. For all humanity, this verse encourages a life lived with unwavering integrity, profound humility, and a deep, abiding awareness that our actions, whether good or evil, are observed by a just and righteous God who will ultimately bring all things to account, both in this life and in the life to come.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the idea of the righteous being "recompensed in the earth" challenge or affirm your current understanding of God's discipline and His perfect love?**
* **In what specific ways have you personally observed earthly consequences for both righteous and unrighteous living in your own life or in the lives of those around you?**
* **Considering the certainty of God's justice, what practical steps can you take to live in greater alignment with His righteous standards, both personally and within your community?**

### FAQ
**Does "recompensed" for the righteous mean they are punished for being good?**

Answer: No, "recompensed" (from the Hebrew _shâlam'_) for the righteous does not mean they are punished for their goodness. Instead, it signifies that they, too, will receive their "due" or experience consequences in this earthly life. This can include the natural difficulties and trials that are part of living in a fallen world, or even divine discipline and testing, which the Bible consistently teaches is a sign of God's profound love and a powerful means of refinement for His children (see [Hebrews 12:6-11](/hebrews/12-6-11 "Hebrews 12:6-11 - The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves")). The ultimate purpose of this "recompense" for the righteous is their growth, sanctification, and eternal good, contrasting sharply with the destructive and punitive judgment that awaits the wicked.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 11:31 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the proverb speaks of earthly recompense, it points to a deeper, spiritual reality perfectly embodied in Him. The "righteous" in this verse, ultimately, are those who are made righteous by faith in Christ, for He is "our righteousness" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ, Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption")). Jesus, the perfectly righteous one, was indeed "recompensed in the earth" in a manner far beyond human comprehension. He experienced the ultimate suffering and death, not for His own sin, but as the spotless [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His "recompense" was the cross, where He bore the full weight of the "much more" that was due to "the wicked and the sinner"—that is, the just wrath of God against all who believe in Him. Thus, for those who are in Christ, the "recompense" for their sin has been fully paid by Him, and their earthly "recompense" becomes the loving discipline of a Father ([Hebrews 12:7-8](/hebrews/12-7-8 "Hebrews 12:7-8 - God Disciplines His Children")) rather than condemnation. Conversely, for those who reject Him, the "much more" of judgment remains, as Christ Himself will return as the righteous Judge ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God Will Judge the World Through Jesus")). Therefore, Proverbs 11:31 powerfully foreshadows the cross as the ultimate demonstration of God's justice and the only means by which the wicked can escape their deserved recompense, through the substitutionary sacrifice of the Righteous One.

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

1 Peter 4:17

For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:18

And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Jeremiah 25:29

For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.

1 Corinthians 11:30

For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

1 Corinthians 11:32

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

2 Samuel 7:14

I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

2 Samuel 7:15

But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took [it] from Saul, whom I put away before thee.