and loving favour rather them silver and gold; favour with God and man, especially with God, whose loving kindness is better than life, and all the enjoyments of it: or, as it may be rendered, "grace is better than silver and gold" (p); the grace of God through Christ, the grace of Christ, in whom all fulness of it dwells, the grace of the Spirit of Christ; faith is more precious than gold that perisheth; and if a man would give all the substance of his house for love it would be contemned; the Spirit and his grace are not to be purchased for money.
(p) "gratia melior", Munster, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Michaelis; so Schultens. A name rather to be chosen than great riches, {a} loving favour rather than silver and gold.
(a) Which comes by well doing. 1. A good name] Heb. a name, as in . Comp. :
“Have regard to thy name;
For it continueth with thee longer than a thousand great treasures of gold.”
loving favour rather than] Or, favour is better than, A.V. and R.V. marg. Verse 1. - A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. It will be observed that "good" in the Authorized Version is in italics, showing that the epithet is not expressed in the Hebrew, which is simply שֵׁם (shem), "name." But this word carried with it the notion of good repute, as in ; for being well known implied honour and reputation, while being nameless ( ) signified not only obscurity, but ignominy and discredit. Hence the versions have ὄνομα καλόν, nomen bonum, and Ecclus. 41:12, "Have regard to thy name (περὶ ὀνόματος), for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold. A good life," the moralist continues, "hath but few days; but a good name endureth forever" (contrast ). And loving favour rather than silver and gold; or, more accurately, and before gold and silver grace is good; i.e. grace is far better than gold. Grace (chen) is the manner and demeanour which win love, as well as the favour and affection gained thereby; taken as parallel to "name," in the former hemistich, it means here "favour," the regard conceived by others for a worthy object. Publ. Syr., "Bona opinio hominum tutier pecunia est." The French have a proverb, "Bonne renommee vaut mieux que ceinture doree." The latter hemistich gives the reason for the assertion in the former - a good name is so valuable because it wins affection and friendship, which are far preferable to material riches, 26 One always desireth eagerly;
But the righteous giveth and holdeth not back.
Otherwise Fleischer: per totum diem avet avidus, i.e., avarus; but that in התאוּה תּאוה the verb is connected with its inner obj. is manifest from ; it is the mode of expression which is called in the Greek syntax schema etymologicum, and which is also possible without an adj. joined to the obj., as in the ὕβριν θ ̓ ὑβρίζεις (Eurip. Herc. fur. 706), the Arab. mârâhu miryatn: he had a strife with him. Euchel impossibly: necessities will continually be appeased, which would have required תּתאוּה or מתאוּה. The explanation also cannot be: each day presents its special demand, for כּל־היּום does not mean each day, but the whole day, i.e., continually. Thus we render התאוה with the most general subject (in which case the national grammarians supply המּתאוּה): continually one longs longing, i.e., there are demands, solicitations, wishes, importunate petitions; but still the righteous is not embarrassed in his generosity, he gives as unceasingly (cf. ; ) as one asks. Thus the perf. is explained, which is related hypothetically to the fut. following: though one, etc.
What does proverbs 22:1 mean.
Proverbs 22:1 – “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
Both riches (silver and gold) and an honorable reputation (loving favor, i.e., respect) are good. But if one has to choose between them, Solomon says, “Choose a good name.” Solomon’s son Rehoboam chose wealth (i.e. higher taxes) rather than the love and respect of his people. Choosing poorly, he lost most of his kingdom.
With whom does one want a good reputation? Other people, certainly! Elders need a good reputation towards outsiders (I Timothy 3:7), as well as those inside the church. A remarkable thing said of young King David was that, “And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people (II Samuel 3:36).” Paul always tried to have a good conscience both toward God and his fellow men (Acts 24:16).
The reason a good name is better than riches? In the end we have to deal with God, and riches do not impress Him. He loves the upright man who fears Him and who walks before His face. Our fate, in this life and the next, rests in His hands. Therefore, if you have to choose between a good reputation and wealth, choose a good reputation, a good proxy for keeping God’s Law.
What kills a good reputation? Slander does, sometimes for a lifetime and beyond. Against that sort of murderous attack, we have little power. But one’s own sin that becomes known also destroys a reputation. Cheating, lying, stealing, breaking one’s word, adultery, murder, and witchcraft are all shortcuts to success. All sin is a short cut, a way to get what one wants without following God’s law.
I had a student once who had destroyed his reputation with both me and his parents, by lying constantly. In a meeting with his school guidance counselor and his teachers about his poor performance, when it was my turn to speak, I said, “Failing Algebra is Harry’s small problem. Lying is his big one.” The guidance counselor was not pleased, but the parents knew their son and instantly nodded their heads in hearty agreement. Next day, Harry complained to me about what I had said, explaining, “But Mr. Edgar, you don’t understand. Lying is how I get what I want.” Reputation confirmed!
Solomon combines the matter of a good name and riches because a common place where people cut corners is with money. They rob their employers, stab fellow workers in the back for promotions, skirt the law to improve profits, cheat on their taxes, pay workers badly, and sell shoddy goods – all shortcuts to make more money. But the price is a bad name, a bad choice because “A good name is more desirable than great wealth, the respect of others is better than silver or gold (Jerusalem Bible).”
-Dr. Bill Edgar, Geneva College Board of Trustees Member and Former President
Learn How to Impact the World at Geneva College
Does the prospect of impacting the world excite you? Do you want a career that allows you to use your God-given talents to make a difference in your life, your community, and the world around you? If so, you should learn more about Geneva’s biblical studies program .
For more information, contact us at 855-979-5563 or [email protected] . Get ready to make your mark on this world.
Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.
God has created all human beings to be in relationship with Himself, each other, and with nature. Read what Pastor Rutledge Etheridge has to say about the beautiful and unfathomable interrelationship that God has designed for his created beings.
Faithful Doubt: Habakkuk, written by pastor Travis Scott, explores the short prophetic book of Habakkuk, in a practical and meaningful way through the lens of a doubter. Travis approaches the passage of scripture from an honest and humble perspective, recalling difficulties experienced as a husband, father, and pastor.
Dr. J. Ligon Duncan of Reformed Theological Seminary delivered the spring 2021 Commencement address at Geneva College on May 10, 2021. Here is an excerpt of that message, entitled, "Every Good Work," from 2 Timothy 3. This excerpt first appeared in the Summer 2021 edition of Geneva Magazine.
When the Bible teaches one thing and your “instincts,” as it were, disagree, whose wisdom do you trust, your own or God’s? Do we really need to be told not to trust in our own minds? Yes, because we want to trust ourselves, and because in our day putatively wise people constantly tell us that high self-esteem brings success.
As busy as college students are, it can be profoundly beneficial for them to seek out and engage in a routine Bible study. Diving deeper into their faith, exploring what the world’s challenges mean to them, and creating a Christian-based path forward can give any college student the direction he or she needs to achieve their best life. Still, it’s not always easy to make that decision—instead of a night with friends or yet another study session for a high-level math class, go to Bible study instead.
Handing our cares and worries over to God gives us peace which keeps us from falling into doubt, as stated in Philippians. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
What should someone with wealth do? Solomon writes, “Pay attention to it and know its condition.” He uses the example of sheep and goats. Wise parents blessed with wealth will teach their children how to work to maintain it. Wise children will accept the burdens of responsibility that go with family wealth, always remembering that riches do not last forever.
The Book of Proverbs has no use for the gullible, viewing them as willful fools. Even when everyone else can see a hateful, deceitful person for what he is, the gullible choose to believe gracious words.
At Easter, a good question to ask is, "How are people saved?" This should be a question that Christians can easily answer, and indeed most can. However, sometimes Christians are less knowledgeable about the doctrine of justification and its important distinctions than perhaps they should be.
Learn more about Geneva College.
Have questions? Call us at 724-847-6505 .
Tell me more, general information.
© Geneva College | All rights reserved
September 6, 2009 ?Proper 17 Proverbs 22:1-2 , Proverbs 22:8-9 , Proverbs 22:22-23 Here is an idea so quaint and antiquated that it actually makes sense: Your name is valuable. Don’t run out and try to sell it on eBay. It may not have that sort of worth. Instead, the value of your name is in direct proportion to your character. The formula is quite simple to sketch but extremely difficult to attain: “Good character = good name; bad character = bad name.” The writer of Proverbs leads us to consider the value of a good name.
I. The Value of a Good Name (vv. 1-2) We receive a name at birth and then spend our lives attaching meaning to it. We all know people who have built great value around their names. If you mention the name, people will remember something about that person’s character. The opposite is also true. Verse 1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” The reason that is so important is that a person can have riches but a name that nearly incites riots. Think of Bernie Madoff. The writer of Ecclesiastes agrees that your name is valuable: “A good name is better than fine perfume.” It leaves a pleasant fragrance in the air when it is spoken.
II. How to Achieve a Good Name (vv. 8-9) So how do we achieve a good name? We do so by choosing righteous behavior over wicked action. Verses 8 and 9 give a portrait of two ways of living. The first way is to squander our lives by living as if no one else matters. Wickedness is an extreme form of selfishness. During the Great Depression Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; we know now that it is bad economics.” The second way is the life of openness and generosity. This man shares with others who have nothing. Generosity is a form of righteousness. Achieving a good name also happens when we are careful with the reputation of others. This includes God. Deuteronomy 5:11 says, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.” Even God wants His name protected!
III. Actions to Keep a Good Name (vv. 22-23) So you have worked hard to develop a good name. How do you keep it? We keep a good name by remembering who we are. As followers of Jesus we commit ourselves to doing what is right all the time. As verses 22-23 put it, we take care of those who can’t take care of themselves. We will not “exploit the poor because they are poor” or “crush the needy in court.” People who forget this fact cause chaos in their lives and in society at large. Those whose greed claimed the lifetime savings of millions may never know the devastation they caused. This tongue-in-cheek list helps explain how bad things have gotten: • CEO’s now play miniature golf. • HotWheels and Matchbox stocks are trading higher than GM. • McDonald’s now is selling the quarter-ouncer. • The most high-paid job is now jury duty. • Motel 6 won’t leave the light on. Always remember that your name is valuable. Build it up and make it worth something. May it be that people smile and thank God for you whenever your name is mentioned.
Share this content with your peers!
IMAGES
COMMENTS
Dec 12, 2020 by Editor in Chief. " A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. " (Proverbs 22:1) When you were born, your parents likely put a great deal of thought into your name. After all, it stays with you for the rest of your life.
Why a Good Name Is Better Than Riches. I can think of three reasons why a good name is better than great riches: 1. A good name provides stability. When you have a good name people can trust you. That trust is a stabilizing factor in your relationship with them. They know what to expect from you and can lean on your decisions with absolute ...
A Good Name is Better than Riches Essay. People give great importance to earning money. Many activities in society like education, business, employment, etc., are directed towards this end. Money has become so important that people place it above everything else. As a result, often, evil means are employed to earn money.
Favor is actually "good favor" in the original Hebrew and corresponds with name in the first line of the verse. In this framework, favor means "acceptance, respect, or esteem from other people.". Thus, Proverbs 22:1 emphasizes the superior value of maintaining a good, respectable reputation. Like wisdom, an honorable standing or "a ...
Verse 1. - A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.It will be observed that "good" in the Authorized Version is in italics, showing that the epithet is not expressed in the Hebrew, which is simply שֵׁם (shem), "name."But this word carried with it the notion of good repute, as in Ecclesiastes 7:1; for being well known implied honour and reputation, while being nameless ...
"A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Simple words. Yet, they hold so much truth. So much wisdom. We live in a world that often values things. Money. Possessions. Status. But this verse, it tells us something different. It tells us that virtue, a pure name, and morality are worth more.
Proverbs 22:1. A good name — A good reputation among wise and good men; is rather to be chosen than great riches — That is, we should be more careful to pursue that course of life, and do those things, by which we may obtain and retain a good name, than that way and those things by which we may raise and increase a great estate. For great riches bring great cares with them, and expose men ...
Proverbs 22:1. ESV A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. NIV A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. NASB A good name is to be more desired than great wealth; Favor is better than silver and gold. CSB A good name is to be chosen over ...
Proverbs 22:1 - "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.". Both riches (silver and gold) and an honorable reputation (loving favor, i.e., respect) are good. But if one has to choose between them, Solomon says, "Choose a good name.".
22 p A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. 2 q The rich and the poor meet together; the L ord is r the Maker of them all. 3 s The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. 4 The reward for humility and fear of the L ord. is t riches and honor and life ...
Verse 1 says, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.". The reason that is so important is that a person can have riches but a name that nearly incites riots. Think of Bernie Madoff. The writer of Ecclesiastes agrees that your name is valuable: "A good name is better than fine ...
The Value of a Good Name - A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all. A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished. By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the ...
Exodus 20:16 In the book of Proverbs, we are told that "A good name is to be more desired than great riches." A good name is such an excellent blessing that the only thing that is of more value is a good conscience. While the eighth commandment provides for the security of a man's property, the ninth commandment provides for the preservation of ...
22 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. 4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward ...
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who ...
Proverbs 22:1. 1 p A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. Read in Context.
The Value of a Good Name - A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold. The rich and the poor have this in common, The Lord is the maker of them all. A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, But the simple pass on and are punished. By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the ...
He was restored to his former office and shortly after. he was promoted. His name became a synonym for honesty and he also won the Silverbird Man-of-the-Year award for his honesty. He forgave Mr. Akinwande and Nwokocha and even gave them money for the upkeep of their families. Thus indeed, a good name is better than riches.
The phrase 'Good names are better than riches' is a proverb that emphasizes the importance of having a good reputation over wealth accumulation. In an argumentative essay, you would present both sides of the argument before concluding with your stance. For instance, one could argue that maintaining a good name requires integrity, honesty, and ...
Someone who believes that "a good name is better than riches" would prefer to have. a. no money and a bad name b. a lot of money and a bad reputation c. a good reputation and no money a) no money and a bad name b) a lot of money and a bad reputation c) a good reputation and no money.
On Life and Conduct. 22 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth; Favor is better than silver and gold. 2 The rich and the poor [ a]have a common bond, The Lord is the Maker of them all. 3 A prudent person sees evil and hides himself, But the naive proceed, and pay the penalty. 4 The reward of humility and [ b]the fear of the Lord.
Breaking made its debut as an Olympic sport Friday, and among the competitors was Dr. Rachael Gunn, also known as B-girl Raygun, a 36-year-old professor from Sydney, Australia, who stood out in ...
The former president and his backers aim to strengthen the power of the White House and limit the independence of federal agencies.
22 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all. 3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. 4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. 5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward ...
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. Read the Bible; Reading Plans; Advanced Search ... 22 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. Read full chapter. Proverbs 22:1 in all English translations. Proverbs 21. Proverbs 23