Proverbs 6 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Proverbs 6 Short Summary:

In Proverbs 6, Solomon offers some practical warnings against unwise behaviors and patterns of life. He warns men not to take on the debts of others, not to be lazy, not to become crooked, and not to commit adultery. He also gives a list of 7 things the Lord hates, these include, (1) Haughty eyes, (2) a lying tongue, (3) hands that shed innocent blood, (4) a heart that devises wicked plans, (5) feet that make haste to run to evil, (6) a false witness who breathes out lies, and (7) a person who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 6 Summary

THEMES:

• Practical warnings against unwise behavior.

DEFINITIONS:

• Fowler (6:5) – A bird hunter.

• Haughty (6:17) – Arrogant; Considering yourself superior to others and disdaining them.

• Discord (6:19) – Disagreement between people.

OUTLINE:

• THE FOOLISHNESS OF TAKING ON OTHER’S DEBTS (6:1-5):

  • In Proverbs 6, Solomon gives several practical warnings to those who want to be wise.

  • First, he advises his hearers not to guarantee debt for another person.

  • It’s foolish to promise to pay back someone else’s debts, especially when the future is unknown.

  • He advises anyone who has already made themselves a guarantor to do whatever is necessary to terminate their commitment.

• THE FOOLISHNESS OF LAZINESS (6:6-11):

  • Solomon encourages men to be like ants, highlighting their consistent work ethic.

  • They work steadily and responsibly to prepare food for the winter.

  • In contrast, a lazy man is slow to get to work. He piddles and delays and sleeps longer than he should.

  • His sloth will lead him to poverty.

• CALAMITY AWAITS THE CROOKED MAN (6:12-15):

  • Solomon had wisdom to identify the wicked men who lived in the streets of his kingdom.

  • They gave themselves away with their behavior, their winks, their crooked speech, the pattern of their feet, and the movement of their hands.

  • Their perverted hearts were always stirring up trouble.

  • Solomon says their fate will be calamity; they will be broken beyond healing.

• 7 THINGS THE LORD HATES (6:16-19):

  • “There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to Him” (6:16).

  • (1) Haughty eyes, (2) a lying tongue, (3) hands that shed innocent blood, (4) a heart that devises wicked plans, (5) feet that make haste to run to evil, (6) a false witness who breathes out lies, and (7) a person who sows discord among brothers.

• THE FOOLISHNESS OF ADULTERY (6:20-35):

  • As in the last chapter, Solomon once again cautions his son about adultery and getting involved with forbidden women.

  • A temptress is attractive and speaks with a smooth tongue.

  • Solomon warns his son not to allow himself to be captured by her beauty, the end result of doing so will be painful.

  • He asks, “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?” (6:27-28). The obvious answer is… NO!

  • “So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished” (6:29).

  • A man who commits adultery lacks sense and destroys himself. He despises his reputation and his future.

APPLICATION:

• Wisdom rarely thinks in the short term.  

• A man who takes on another’s debt isn’t considering the future.

• A man who is lazy is only thinking about the ease of the moment.

• A wicked man is only thinking about the short term gain he can get from his crooked dealings.

• A man who commits adultery is only thinking about short term pleasure.

• If you want to be a wise man, you need to start thinking long term.

• This is particularly true when it comes to our time on earth vs our time in eternity.

• A wise man will not prioritize the pleasure of earth at the expense of long term blessings in Heaven.