Proverbs 15:33

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.

Proverbs 15:33 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:33

The fear of the Lord [is] the instruction of wisdom
It is "the beginning of wisdom", ( Proverbs 9:10 ) ; it leads unto it, instructs a man in it; by means of it he attains to true spiritual and evangelical wisdom; it teaches him to abstain from sin, and to serve the Lord; and to seek the salvation of his soul in the way God has appointed, which is by his Son Jesus Christ, which to do is the highest wisdom; and before honour [is] humility;
the fear of God and humility go together, where the one is the other is; and as the one is the way to wisdom, the other is the way to glory; Christ's humiliation was before his exaltation; men are first humbled and laid low in their own eyes, and then they are raised out of their low estate, and are set among princes; and shall inherit the throne of glory, being made kings and priests unto God; it is a frequent saying of Christ's, "he that humbleth himself shall be exalted", ( Luke 14:11 ) ; such an one is raised to a high estate of grace, and at last to eternal glory.

Proverbs 15:33 In-Context

31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise.

32 He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "reverence"