Proverbs 6:1

This chapter has a number of independent warnings against:

(1) being surety for the obligations of others (Proverbs 6:1-5),

(2) against laziness (Proverbs 6:6-11),

(3) against wicked men (Proverbs 6:12-15),

(4) against seven things which God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19), and

(5) against both harlots and adulteresses (Proverbs 6:20-35).

Keil, combining warnings (3) and (4) here labeled warnings 1,2, 3, and 5 as "The ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth discourses in this first section of Proverbs (Proverbs 1-9).[1]

Some scholars, noting that the first four of these warnings are sandwiched in between two longer sections on sexual misconduct, have regarded them as an interpolation;[2] but Keil observed that, "There are many marks of identity of authorship" that are common to both passages, concluding that the present arrangement, "Does not therefore warrant critical suspicion."[3] Also, "This arrangement occurs in all of the Ancient Versions."[4]

WARNING AGAINST BECOMING SECURITY FOR OTHERS (THE NINTH DISCOURSE)

Proverbs 6:1-5

"My son, if thou art become security for thy neighbor,

If thou hast stricken thy hands for a stranger;

Thou art snared with the words thy mouth,

Thou art taken by the words of thy mouth.

Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself,

Seeing thou art come into the hand of thy neighbor:

Go humble thyself, and importune thy neighbor;

Give not sleep to thine eyes,

Nor slumber to thine eyelids:

Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter,

And as a bird from the hand of the fowler."

"If thou hast stricken thy hands for a stranger" (Proverbs 6:1). "This is the equivalent (in modern terms) of co-signing your neighbor's note."[5] "This was the procedure for concluding a bargain. It is like our expression, `to shake hands on it.'"[6] "The warning here is against lightly risking irreparable harm. If through careless words, or vanity, one has done so, no time is to be lost in obtaining a release from the agreement, which (from the context here) has been apparently agreed to but not yet carried into effect."[7]

In ancient times, the careless assumption of another's financial obligations could bring vast damages upon those thoughtless enough to do it; and, even today, there are examples of very extensive harm that can result from it. This writer knew a great Christian brother in Sherman, Texas, who co-signed a note for a kinsman; and when the kinsman defaulted, the brother sold his home and his farm to pay the bank.

"The earnest eager tone here suggests that the writer has observed the very predicament that he describes -- it is a business man's advice to his friend."[8] No better advice was ever given.

"With the words of thy mouth" (Proverbs 6:2). "The repetition of this phrase is intentional to give greater force to the fact that such entanglements are the result of one's own indiscretion."[9]

"Do this now ... deliver thyself ... importune thy neighbor" (Proverbs 6:3). The message here is, "By all means, get out of that arrangement at once!" "In Hebrew, the word importune means `rage against,'"[10] "The word importune is hardly a strong enough word here."[11] "The refusal to be surety for a neighbor's debt does not mean heartless indifference to his needs."[12] If one is able to help his distressed neighbor, let him do so willingly and generously; but to guarantee the payment of his debts is not only unnecessary, but exceedingly foolish. It was so when Proverbs was written, and it is true now.

"Guaranteeing to pay someone else's debt may even be an unintended disservice to the recipient by exposing him to temptation, perhaps causing him to continue to live beyond his means."[13] But even apart from that, being surety for another's obligation is contrary to the Word of God. It can, and often does, bring great sorrow and damage upon them that do it; and every Christian should heed this admonition.

"It should be remembered in this connection that the risks involved in the assumption of such liabilities in ancient times were very great. Terrible poverty and even slavery could result."[14] Although today we have such things as bankruptcy laws to protect certain debtors, there are still grave and totally unnecessary risks involved in one's obligating himself to pay others' obligations.