Proverbs 23:24

24 The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.

Proverbs 23:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 23:24

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice
Or "in rejoicing shall rejoice" ^F4, in his son; not that he is rich, but righteous, truly righteous, internally and externally; having the righteousness of Christ imputed to him, and righteousness and true holiness wrought in him, and so lives soberly, righteously, and godly: this must be understood of a father who is himself righteous; for otherwise wicked men, if their sons do but thrive in the world, they are unconcerned about their character as righteous, or their state and condition God-ward; and he that begetteth a wise [child] shall have joy of him;
especially if he is wise in the best things; if he is wise unto salvation; he may be wise and knowing in things natural, have a good share of wit and sense, and be wise in worldly things, which may yield a pleasure to a natural man his parent; but, if he is a good man, he will have greater joy of his son if he is wise in the first sense. The mother and grandmother of Timothy had no doubt great joy of him, who, from a child, knew the holy Scriptures; and so had the elect lady of her children, who were walking in the truth; and so has our heavenly Father of his children, who are righteous and wise through his grace.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 (lwgy lwg) "exultando exultabit", Paguinus, Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus, Michaelis; "gaudendo gaudebit", Cocceias.

Proverbs 23:24 In-Context

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

23 Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.

24 The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.

25 So give your father and mother joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.

26 O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes take delight in following my ways.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew to have a wise son.