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 13:7. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
This observation is applicable,
I.To men's worldly estate.
The world is a great cheat, not only the things of the world, but the men of the world. All men are liars. Here is an instance in two sore evils under the sun: - 1. Some that are really poor would be thought to be rich and are thought to be so; they trade and spend as if they were rich, make a great bustle and a great show as if they had hidden treasures, when perhaps, if all their debts were paid, they are not worth a groat. This is sin, and will be shame; many a one hereby ruins his family and brings reproach upon his profession of religion. Those that thus live above what they have choose to be subject to their own pride rather than to God's providence, and it will end accordingly. 2. Some that are really rich would be thought to be poor, and are thought to be so, because they sordidly and meanly live below what God has given them, and choose rather to bury it than to use it, Ecc 6:1, Ecc 6:2. In this there is an ingratitude to God, injustice to the family and neighbourhood, and uncharitableness to the poor.
II.To their spiritual state.
Grace is the riches of the soul; it is true riches; but men commonly misrepresent themselves, either designedly or through mistake and ignorance of themselves.
1.There are many presuming hypocrites, that are really poor and empty of grace and yet either think themselves rich, and will not be convinced of their poverty, or pretend themselves rich, and will not own their poverty.
2.There are many timorous trembling Christians, that are spiritually rich, and full of grace, and yet think themselves poor, and will not be persuaded that they are rich, or, at least, will not own it; by their doubts and fears, their complaints and griefs, they make themselves poor. The former mistake is destroying at last; this is disquieting in the mean time.
Historical interpretation
Three Centuries of Reception
4 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.
It is simply not to be credited that holy Scripture is concerned to advise us on these riches which the proud get such swollen heads about. I mean these visible, earthly riches, of course, as though we should either think they are very important or fear not to have them. “After all,” someone will say, “what good does a man get from pretending to be rich when in fact he has nothing?” Scripture has taken note of such a person and found fault with him.… It is not improper, nor is it unseemly or useless that the holy Scriptures should wish to commend rich people to us for being humble. The thing really to be afraid of with riches, you see, is pride. In fact, the apostle Paul has advice on this point for Timothy: “Command the rich of this world,” he says, “not to have proud thoughts.” It wasn’t riches he went in dread of but the disease of riches. The disease of riches is great pride. A grand spirit it is indeed, that in the midst of riches is not prone to this disease, a spirit greater than its riches, surpassing them not by desiring but by despising them. Great then indeed is the rich person who doesn’t think he is great just because he is rich. But if that is why he does think he is great, then he is proud and destitute. He’s a big noise in the flesh. In his heart of hearts he’s a beggar. He has been inflated, not filled. If you see two wineskins, one filled, the other inflated, they each have the same bulk and extent, but they don’t each have the same content. Just look at them, and you can’t tell the difference; but weigh them, and you will find out. The one that has been filled is hard to move; the one that has been inflated is easily removed.… I am not telling you to do away with your wealth but to transfer it, because there are many people who have refused to do this and have been very sorry indeed that they did not obey, when they not only lost their wealth but on account of it have lost themselves too. So, command the rich of this world not to have proud thoughts, and there will happen in them what we have heard in Solomon’s proverb: “There are those who humble themselves though they are rich.” It can happen even with these temporal riches. Let him be humble. Let him be more glad that he’s a Christian than that he’s rich. Don’t let him be puffed up or become high and mighty. Let him take notice of the poor man his brother, and not refuse to be called the poor man’s brother. After all, however rich he may be, Christ is richer, and he wanted all for whom he shed his blood to be his brethren.
For indeed a person who loses by daily distractions of mind and lack of self control what he appears to gain by the conversion of others puts his profits into a bag with holes. And so it is that while they fancy that they can make larger profits by the instruction of others, they are actually deprived of their own improvement. For “there are who make themselves out as rich though possessing nothing, and there are who humble themselves amid great riches.”
A person who, because of his undisciplined heart and daily distraction of mind, loses whatever he seemed to have acquired by the conversion of others truly puts his profits in a bag with holes. And so it is that, while believing themselves able to make greater profit by instructing others, they are deprived of their own betterment. For “there are those who make themselves out as rich, although they have nothing, and there are those who humble themselves in the midst of great wealth.” .
"There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing," etc. He seemed rich to himself who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day; but because he did not have God, he found in the end that nothing of what he had possessed existed. Hence it is said about such people, "They have slept their sleep, and none of the men of wealth found anything in their hands" (Psalm 75). Conversely, Lazarus appeared poor, lying at his gate, full of sores; but he was in many riches, possessing the virtue of humility, carrying the Creator of all riches, namely God, in his heart. "What true riches can accomplish and what true poverty can do," he clearly shows by saying:
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Summary
Proverbs 13:7 presents a profound paradox concerning the nature of wealth, challenging superficial perceptions by contrasting outward appearance with inner reality. It reveals that one who strives to appear rich may possess nothing of true value, while another who embraces a humble or modest existence may, in fact, be endowed with immeasurable and enduring riches, urging readers to discern true value beyond material possessions.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 13:7 is a quintessential example of antithetical parallelism, a hallmark literary device throughout the Book of Proverbs. This structure sets two contrasting ideas or statements against each other to illuminate a deeper truth, often highlighting the distinction between the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked. In this chapter, wisdom and folly are frequently contrasted, with wisdom leading to life and prosperity (not always material) and folly to ruin. The verse fits seamlessly into the broader discourse of Proverbs 13, which repeatedly emphasizes the value of integrity, diligence, and righteous living over fleeting or ill-gotten gains. For instance, Proverbs 13:11 warns against wealth gained quickly, stating it "will dwindle," while wealth gathered slowly "increases." This sets the stage for understanding true wealth as something built on character and divine favor, not just accumulation, making the paradox of verse 7 particularly poignant within its immediate literary environment.
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israel, as in many ancient Near Eastern societies, wealth was often perceived as a sign of divine blessing, while poverty could be seen as a consequence of sin or folly. However, the wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs, frequently nuanced this perspective, challenging simplistic correlations. True prosperity was understood not merely as an abundance of land, livestock, or silver, but also as a life characterized by integrity, wisdom, and a right relationship with God and community. The concept of "making oneself rich" could imply a person who gained wealth through dishonest means, exploitation, or by living beyond their means to maintain a facade, which would have been culturally frowned upon within a community valuing honesty and mutual support. Conversely, "making oneself poor" might refer to one who lives simply, is generous, or perhaps endures hardship for righteousness' sake, embodying a counter-cultural understanding of true value that prioritized spiritual and communal well-being over material accumulation.
Key Themes
This proverb powerfully articulates several core themes central to biblical wisdom. The most prominent is the stark contrast between appearance and reality. It exposes the deception inherent in valuing superficial wealth over genuine substance, whether that substance be moral character, spiritual well-being, or inner peace. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, reminding us that God "looks at the heart" rather than outward appearance, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:7. Closely related is the theme of true riches, which the proverb redefines. It implies that authentic wealth transcends material possessions, encompassing spiritual treasures, moral integrity, contentment, and a right standing before God. This aligns with Jesus' teaching to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, where they are subject to decay. Finally, the proverb touches on integrity and deception. The phrase "maketh himself rich" can suggest pretense, dishonesty, or a self-centered pursuit of gain, while "maketh himself poor" implies humility, contentment, or even generosity, where true wealth is found in character and spirit, not outward show.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
A primitive root meaning "to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich." In the Hithpael stem (reflexive), as implied in the KJV's "maketh himself rich," it conveys the sense of actively striving to become rich, often with the nuance of self-enrichment or even a pretentious display of wealth. This suggests a deliberate effort to project an image of affluence, which may or may not be genuinely rooted in substance, highlighting a performative aspect of wealth.
A primitive root meaning "to be destitute; lack, needy, (make self) poor (man)." Similar to "rich," the reflexive sense in "maketh himself poor" implies a deliberate act of self-impoverishment or choosing a modest, humble lifestyle. This can refer to someone who is genuinely humble, content with little, or perhaps so generous that they appear to have little, yet their true wealth lies in their character and spiritual abundance, demonstrating a counter-intuitive source of richness.
Meaning "wealth; by implication, enough; riches, substance, wealth." This word appears twice in the verse. In the first clause, the one who "maketh himself rich" "hath nothing," implying a lack of true hôwn, or perhaps a lack of the enduring, substantial kind of wealth. In the second clause, the one who "maketh himself poor" "hath great hôwn," indicating a profound abundance of true, enduring wealth. The proverb thus redefines what constitutes genuine "riches," moving beyond mere material possessions to encompass spiritual and moral substance.
Verse Breakdown
"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing"
This clause describes an individual who actively cultivates an outward appearance of wealth or strives to acquire riches, perhaps through dishonest means, excessive debt, or mere pretense. Despite their efforts or outward display, they possess no true substance. This "nothing" refers not merely to a lack of material goods but, more profoundly, to an absence of integrity, inner peace, spiritual well-being, or genuine contentment. Their perceived wealth is a facade, leaving them spiritually, morally, or relationally bankrupt, highlighting the emptiness of superficiality.
"there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches"
This contrasting clause portrays an individual who either lives a genuinely humble and modest life, is content with little, or perhaps is so generous and self-sacrificing that they appear to lack material possessions. Yet, this person possesses "great riches." These are not material but are treasures of wisdom, character, integrity, spiritual blessings, contentment, and a rich relationship with God and others. Their true abundance is hidden from superficial observation but is deeply profound and enduring, demonstrating that genuine wealth transcends the visible.
Literary Devices
Proverbs 13:7 masterfully employs Antithetical Parallelism, a foundational literary structure in wisdom literature. This device sets two contrasting statements or ideas in parallel to highlight a truth, creating a sharp distinction between them. Here, the "maketh himself rich" (with nothing) is directly contrasted with the "maketh himself poor" (with great riches), emphasizing the deceptive nature of outward appearances and the surprising reality of true value. Furthermore, the verse is a powerful Paradox. A paradox is a seemingly contradictory statement that, upon closer examination, reveals a deeper truth. It seems illogical that someone who appears rich has nothing, and someone who appears poor has great riches. However, the proverb challenges conventional notions of wealth, revealing that true value lies beyond the material. This creates a profound Irony, where the expected outcome (rich person has much, poor person has little) is inverted, underscoring the spiritual and moral dimensions of genuine prosperity and the folly of judging by external metrics alone.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This proverb serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true prosperity and the deceptive allure of materialism. It underscores a fundamental biblical principle: God's valuation of a person is based on the heart and character, not on outward display or material accumulation. It challenges the worldly pursuit of wealth for its own sake, suggesting that such a pursuit, if devoid of integrity and spiritual substance, ultimately leads to emptiness. Conversely, it elevates humility, contentment, and spiritual richness as the true indicators of a blessed life, aligning with the divine perspective that often inverts human standards of success. The "great riches" are those that endure beyond earthly life, representing an eternal inheritance and a life lived in accordance with God's wisdom, demonstrating that true abundance is found in spiritual realities.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 13:7 is a timeless mirror, inviting us to critically examine our own values and pursuits. In a world often obsessed with external markers of success – financial status, possessions, and outward appearances – this proverb calls us to look deeper, challenging us to discern what truly constitutes "riches." It warns against the spiritual emptiness that can accompany a life devoted to accumulating material wealth or maintaining a facade of prosperity, reminding us that such pursuits often leave one with "nothing" of eternal value. Conversely, it celebrates the profound abundance found in humility, integrity, contentment, and spiritual wealth. This means prioritizing character over cash, wisdom over worldly accolades, and genuine relationships over fleeting gains. It encourages us to cultivate an inner life rich in faith, love, and purpose, recognizing that true security and fulfillment come not from what we possess, but from who we are in Christ and what we invest in eternity. Embracing this truth frees us from the endless cycle of comparison and striving, allowing us to live authentically, generously, and truly rich in the sight of God.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this proverb condemn all wealth or striving for financial stability?
No, this proverb does not condemn wealth itself or the pursuit of financial stability. Instead, it challenges the source, purpose, and display of wealth, as well as the heart attitude associated with it. The Bible acknowledges that God can bless people with material prosperity (Deuteronomy 8:18) and encourages diligence in work (Proverbs 10:4). The warning is against wealth gained through dishonesty or pretense ("maketh himself rich") and against making material possessions the ultimate measure of value. True wealth, as defined by this proverb, is internal and spiritual, not merely external.
What are the "great riches" implied in the second part of the verse?
The "great riches" refer to non-material treasures that possess lasting value and bring genuine fulfillment. These include wisdom, integrity, a good name, contentment, peace of mind, strong relationships, and above all, spiritual blessings and a right relationship with God. These are the "treasures in heaven" that cannot be stolen or destroyed (Matthew 6:19-20). Such riches are often characteristic of those who live humbly and righteously, valuing spiritual substance over worldly show, as seen in passages like Proverbs 8:11 which states that wisdom is more precious than jewels.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Proverbs 13:7 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential example of one who "made himself poor, yet had great riches." Though He existed in the very form of God, possessing infinite divine glory and unsearchable riches, He "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:6-7). The incarnation itself was an act of profound self-impoverishment, where the Creator entered His creation in humility, born in a manger, living a life without a permanent home (Matthew 8:20). Yet, in this "poverty," He possessed the "great riches" of perfect righteousness, divine wisdom, and the full authority of the Kingdom of God. His life and teachings consistently redefined true wealth, emphasizing spiritual treasures over material ones, as exemplified in the Sermon on the Mount. Through His ultimate act of self-sacrifice on the cross, He became "poor" for our sake, so that "by his poverty we might become rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9). The "great riches" we receive in Christ are not earthly but heavenly: forgiveness of sins, adoption as children of God, an inheritance in glory, and the unsearchable riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 3:8). Thus, Jesus perfectly embodies the paradox, revealing that true abundance is found not in outward display, but in humble, self-giving love that leads to eternal life and an everlasting kingdom.