(31) The ear that heareth the reproof of life—i.e., one which does not refuse reproof, or instruction, which leads to life. (Comp. Proverbs 6:23.) The “ear” is put for the person, as in Job 29:11.

Proverbs 15:31-33. The ear that heareth the reproof of life — The man that hearkens to and delights in that reproof and good counsel which lead to life; abideth among the wise — He will thereby be made wise, and be esteemed one of that number: or rather, he seeks and delights in the company and conversation of the wise, by whom he may be admonished; as, on the contrary, fools, who hate reproof, avoid and abhor the society of wise men and reprovers, Amos 5:10. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul — Which he thereby exposes to the danger of utter destruction, and so shows his folly; but he that heareth, &c., getteth understanding — Whereby he saves his soul. Hebrew, קונה לב, possesseth a heart, which the Hebrews make the seat of wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the instruction, &c. — Doth instruct men in, or lead them to, true wisdom, whence it is said to be the beginning of wisdom; and before honour — Or, the ready way to honour, both from God and men; is humility — Whereby men submit to God, and yield to men, which gains them love and respect; whereas pride procures them hatred and contempt, both from God and man.

15:29. God sets himself at a distance from those who set him at defiance. 30. How delightful to the humbled soul to hear the good report of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ! 31. Faithful, friendly reproofs help spiritual life, and lead to eternal life. 32. Sinners undervalue their own souls; therefore they prefer the body before the soul, and wrong the soul to please the body. 33. The fear of the Lord will dispose us to search the Scriptures with reverence; and it will cause us to follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit. While we humbly place all our dependence on the grace of God, we are exalted in the righteousness of Christ.The reproof of life - i. e., The reproof that leads to, or gives life, rather than that which comes from life and its experience. 31, 32. (Compare Pr 10:17).

reproof of life—which leads to life.

abideth … wise—is numbered among them.

The ear that heareth; the man that hearkeneth to it, and delights in it.

The reproof of life; that reproof and good counsel which leads to life.

Abideth among the wise, Heb. shall or will abide, &. c. Either,

1. He will thereby be made wise, and be esteemed one of that number. Or rather,

2. He seeketh and delighteth in the company and conversation of the wise, by whom he may be admonished; as, on the contrary, fools, who hate reproof, do avoid and abhor the society of wise men and reprovers, Amos 5:10.

The ear that heareth the reproof of life,.... That is given according to the word of life, in a warm, fervent, and lively manner, with zeal, and in good earnest; which reproves the life of another by his own, as well as by words; and which tends to the spiritual and eternal life of the person reproved; being taken, a man that diligently hearkens to, kindly and cordially receives, and cheerfully obeys such reproof given him,

abideth among the wise; he not only chooseth to be among them, that he may have the advantage of their wise counsels and reproofs, but he becomes wise himself thereby, and attains to the character of a wise man, and is numbered among them; such a man abides in the house of wisdom, the church of God, and attends upon and has conversation with the wise dispensers of the word, and shall have a part with them in the church above, in the kingdom of heaven, where the wise will shine as the firmament; the word here used does not denote a lodging for a night, as it sometimes signifies, but a perpetual abiding.

The ear that heareth the {i} reproof of life abideth among the wise.

(i) That suffers himself to be admonished by God's word, which brings life: and so amends.