Proverbs 27:5
Better is open rebuke than love that is hidden.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
Open rebuke is better than secret love.
In Context
4Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy?
6Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are profuse.
Cross References
Leviticus 19:17Thou shall not hate thy brother in thy heart. Thou shall surely rebuke thy neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.
Matthew 18:15But if thy brother should sin against thee, go and reprove him between thee and him alone. If he should hear thee, thou have gained thy brother.
1 Timothy 5:20Those who sin, rebuke in the sight of all, so that the others may also have fear.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 27:4-5
3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. 4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? These two verses show the intolerable mischief, 1. Of ungoverned passion. The wrath of a fool, who when he is provoked cares not what he says and does, is more grievous than a great stone or a load of sand. It lies heavily upon himself. Those who have no command of their passions do themselves even sink under the load of them. The wrath of a fool… Read the whole commentary →