Self-control is a character trait praised by the wise men and the sages in all of the ancient world.
Proverbs 29:11 literally says, “but the wise person stills it back.” This idea is captured in the ESV translation when it says:
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”
– Proverbs 29:11, ESV
Proverbs 29:11 is part of a four verse collection that make up the unit of wisdom found in Proverbs 29:8-11. This four verse collection contrasts the chaos brought to society by mockers and fools with the restoration of order by the wise and upright.
29:8 simply, but clearly, states the contrast: Mockers stir up unrest in society, but wise men resolve the conflict and restore order.
29:9 describes the basic situation between the mocker and the righteous if they take their conflict to the courtroom for a legal decision. In the courtroom the mocker will demonstrate their folly and try to stir up anger in the legal system. The idea is that the fool and mocker are exposed in the court of law, but the wise man will be vindicated.
29:10 describes the conflict if it is taken to the streets. The “bloodthirsty man” is the mocker who was rebuked in court by a just legal system. They now take matters into their own hands as vigilantes, gangsters, mobsters, terrorist, etc. In the street they seek to kill the men they hate which are the wise men who demonstrate integrity and righteousness. The second half of 29:10 is translated “seek to kill the upright” in the NIV, but the ESV has another translator in its footnotes that says, “but the upright seek his soul.” This would make this verse read: “Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless, but the upright seek his (the bloodthirsty man’s) soul.”
This agrees with other translation of the Hebrew which say, “the upright avenge him,” (meaning, “the upright avenge the man of integrity who is abused by the bloodthirsty man.”)
The point of 29:10 is again the same as 29:9. The wise and righteous men will set things right and restore order to society if it be in the courtroom or in the streets.
Now, 29:11 – this final verse returns to the crucial defining character trait that will secure victory for the righteous man in the courtroom battle or in the street fight: Know that the fool will give full vent to his anger in his sinful soul, but the wise man must control his anger and not lose focus of his mission.
The ESV translation of Proverbs 29:11 reads like this:
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”
– Proverbs 29:11, ESV
Understanding this provides insight into Paul’s words to the Ephesians in Ephesians 4:26:
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”
– Ephesians 4:26
Paul is not saying never be angry. Instead, Paul is saying, “do not sin in your anger.” There are times to be angry in order to make things right and restore order. Paul also says in Ephesians 4:26, when those times arise do not let the sun set until you have taken action and set things right. For the righteous man it may be dealing with the mocker in the courtroom or in the streets. So, Paul is saying do not let things you know are wrong be left to chaos. Instead, fix them before the sun goes down. But, while you are engaged in the conflict that has caused you to rise up in righteous anger be sure you do not sin!
Paul says, “Be angry!...but, make sure you do not sin while you are setting things right.”
Proverbs says, “Let the fool expose himself as he lets sin rule his anger, but in your anger maintain self-control and do not let your anger rule your judgment and your action.”
Notice that you are never told, “Do not be angry.” Wickedness, foolishness and sin should make the wise, righteous man angry.” If these things do not anger a man then it is likely he does not have the insight and understanding necessary to deserve his “righteous” reputation. |
