In Proverbs 3:3 (here @ BibleGateway) we are told about the importance of kindness and truth. The combination of truth with kindness is a tough balance. One is charged to be truthful while at the same time being kind in the process.
Looking at the verse more closely, the word translated “do not let” is imperfect, which suggests the action is still continuing or in process of accomplishment. In this context it would seem that Solomon is suggesting an ongoing action. So that we are continually to prevent kindness and truth from leaving us.
How we are to prevent that is described in the next two clauses. The verb translated “bind” is imperative. It is a command. Both are to be bound around our necks. Similarly, “write” is also an imperative. Kindness and truth are to be both on our neck and heart.
“Neck” (Hebrew גַּרְגֶּרֶת) only appears 4 times in our Bibles, all in Proverbs 1:9 (here @ BibleGateway), 3:3 (here @ BibleGateway), 22 (here @ BibleGateway), 6:21 (here @ BibleGateway). One of the lexicons in its definition of גַּרְגֶּרֶת states, “there may be an associative meaning of the throat being close to the center or the inner being or self1.” Another, referencing all four of the usages states, “the part of a human or animal that connects the head to the rest of the body2.” Yet another presents ַּגַּרְגֶּרֶת as a synonym for רֹאשׁ head, נֶפֶשׁ soul, and לֵב heart3.
“heart” (Hebrew לֵב) in contrast is in our Bibles 593 times. All the lexicons have some form of defining heart as inner man, mind, will, and heart4.
The parallel use of these terms can be taken as a Hebrew parallelism this emphasizing the need for kindness and truth to persist in the character of the people of God. And, or, considering the second definition of neck above the connection of the head to the rest of the body; that kindness and truth will inform not only the way we think, our rational selves, but also the core of our being and beliefs, our heart.
I like both.
If one studies 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus as a unit, we notice that Paul immediately calls both men into conflict with false teachers. However, in 1 Timothy 1:12 – 16 (here @ BibleGateway), Paul shares a bit of his testimony. He shares that though he was a false teacher, in that he not only denied Christ as the Messiah but also as the Son of God. He also persecuted the church. He was one of the people with which he is calling Timothy and Titus into conflict.
Then in 2 Timothy 2:24 – 25 (here @ BibleGateway), Paul echoes Proverbs 3:3 in that we are to approach those who are false teachers, teaching truth, without quarreling, with patience and gentleness.
Think about that, in approaching people that way, the Lord may grant repentance to one who will have an impact like Paul.
1James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).
2The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017).
3David J. A. Clines, ed., The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew (Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press; Sheffield Phoenix Press, 1993–2011), 374.
4Francis Brown, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs, Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1977), 524.
Another word in the text worth looking at is "kindness" (Greek: ḥeseḏ). While I didn't find ḥeseḏ translated as "grace," I immediately thought of John 1:14, where Jesus is described as "full of truth and grace." If we are to be like him, then we should approach people with truth AND grace. One without the other is either abusive (truth alone), or indulgent (grace alone). Randy Alcorn does an excellent job tackling the need for both in "The Grace and Truth Paradox." I was convicted when I read it, because I held grace in higher esteem than truth, and judged others who focused on truth over grace. After all, no one likes people who are always condemning them in truth. But, EVERYONE likes people who offer grace, regardless of their continued behavior. I was "diagnosed" by a pastor once as being a "people pleaser" (i.e. offering grace alone). I didn't understand the ramification until later in life. And, I see now how much more powerful grace combined with truth is, rather than each alone. It is so rich, and changes lives. Oh, to be like Jesus in how I approach others. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit can I possibly be. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really good thought. Thank you Brian. I especially appreciate the connection of kindness and truth to grace and truth as modeled by Jesus. That, I think, is at least partially what drove Paul to exhort Timothy the way he did in 2 Timothy 2:24 - 25.
DeleteI also appreciate the difficulty you pointed out in keeping the balance between the two. It is hard to gracefully share truth. It may be that one of the reasons we struggle is that we feel the necessity to convince people of truth rather than just share it, and allow God to validate what we are sharing.
Note: In the spirit of being kind, and sharing the truth with grace I think you meant to say חֶ֫סֶד (hesed) is Hebrew rather than Greek. ;-)