Bird's-eye view
These two proverbs, standing at the head of a significant section of the book, lay a foundational grid for a biblical worldview. They address two of the most potent forces in human life: wealth and social standing. The first verse establishes God's economy of value, declaring that intangible character is superior to tangible assets. A good name and favor are the true currency of the kingdom, to be desired above all material riches. The second verse then provides the great theological equalizer for all mankind. It demolishes all worldly hierarchies by reminding us that every person, whether rich or poor, stands on level ground before the throne of God. The one, non-negotiable fact that governs all human interaction is that Yahweh is the Maker of them all. Together, these verses call us to reorient our desires around what God values and to reorient our relationships based on our shared status as creatures of the one Creator.
This is not sentimental pablum. It is hard-headed, practical wisdom. A world that chases wealth above character will inevitably rot from the inside out. A society that forgets the common Creator will inevitably descend into oppression, envy, and strife. These proverbs are the bedrock for a just and sane life, both for the individual and for the culture at large.
Outline
- 1. The Foundation of a Godly Worldview (Prov 22:1-2)
- a. The Economy of the Kingdom: Character over Cash (Prov 22:1)
- b. The Great Equalizer: A Common Creator (Prov 22:2)
Context In Proverbs
Proverbs 22:1-2 sit within a larger collection of Solomon's proverbs, providing a framework for wise living under the sun. They follow on the heels of numerous warnings about the dangers of ill-gotten gain and the blessings of righteousness. These verses distill those themes into a concise, powerful statement of first principles. Many commentators see a new section beginning around this point, often titled "the words of the wise." Whether it is a new section or not, there is a clear sense of foundational teaching here. Before giving more specific instructions about diligence, child-rearing, and justice, the book first establishes what is truly valuable (a good name) and who we truly are (creatures of Yahweh). Without this orientation, all the practical advice in the world is just moralism. With it, every piece of practical advice becomes an outworking of worship.
Key Issues
- The Nature of a "Good Name"
- The Source of True Favor
- Biblical Ethics of Wealth and Poverty
- The Doctrine of Creation as a Social Ethic
- Human Dignity and the Imago Dei
- Pride, Envy, and the Gospel
The Great Revaluation
Every man lives by a code, and every man has a price. The world system is very clear about its pricing structure. It values gold, silver, real estate, and stock portfolios. It measures a man by the size of his bank account and the number of people under his authority. The world has its currency, and it is the engine of all its frantic activity. But wisdom comes to us here and performs what we might call the great revaluation. It tells us that the world's price tags are all wrong.
The kingdom of God runs on a different currency. The assets in this kingdom are a good name and the favor of God. This proverb forces a choice. It says a good name is to be chosen over great riches. This is an active decision. There will be times when you must forfeit financial gain in order to maintain your integrity. There will be temptations to cut a corner, tell a small lie, or cheat a little on a deal in order to get ahead. This proverb tells you to choose your good name instead. That name, your reputation for covenant faithfulness before God and man, is an asset of eternal worth. Your money will be eaten by moths and rust, but your name in the Lamb's book of life is forever.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1 A good name is to be chosen over great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.
The proverb is structured in a classic Hebrew parallelism. The first line sets the theme, and the second line restates and intensifies it. A good name is not about having a good public relations team. The Hebrew shem tov refers to a reputation that is based on solid, godly character. It is the name you have earned through consistent integrity, honesty, and faithfulness. It is what people know you to be because it is what you are. This, the sage says, is more valuable than great wealth. Not just a little pocket money, but vast riches. When faced with a choice between the two, the wise man chooses the good name. The second line parallels this: Favor is better than silver and gold. The word for favor is chen, which is often translated as grace. While this can mean favor with men, its ultimate source is God. The favor of God is the fountainhead of all blessing. To be smiled upon by God is a treasure that makes all the silver and gold of the earth look like a pile of trinkets. A good name before men is the result of seeking God's favor above all else.
2 The rich and the poor meet together in this, Yahweh is the Maker of them all.
This verse provides the theological foundation for the first. Why should we not worship wealth? Because the one who has it and the one who does not are fundamentally the same. The verb meet together means they intersect, they exist in the same space, they share a common reality. You find them both in the market, in the courts, and in the grave. In all these meeting places, one truth governs them both and should govern their interactions. And what is that truth? Yahweh is the Maker of them all. This is a radical statement. It is the great leveler. The rich man is tempted to pride, to think that his wealth is a result of his own genius or effort. This verse reminds him that he is a creature, and everything he has is a gift from his Maker. The poor man is tempted to envy or despair, to feel that he is worthless. This verse reminds him that he is a creature, made by the same sovereign God, and his dignity is not found in his net worth but in his Creator. This truth is the basis for all Christian social ethics. To oppress the poor is to insult their Maker (Prov. 14:31). To honor God is to be gracious to the needy.
Application
The application of these verses must begin with a searching inventory of our own hearts. What do you truly value? When you daydream, do you dream of a bigger salary or a more Christ-like character? Be honest. Our culture catechizes us from birth to worship at the altar of mammon. We must consciously and deliberately choose, day by day, to value a good name, a name for integrity, for keeping our word, for being faithful. This means we might have to say no to a promotion, or a business deal, or a particular client, if it would compromise our Christian witness. We must choose the eternal over the temporal.
Secondly, we must let the truth that God is the Maker of all radically reshape how we see and treat other people. This verse obliterates our sinful tendency to categorize and judge people based on their economic status, their education, their race, or their social standing. The person who serves you coffee, the person who cleans your office, the person who lives in the mansion on the hill, and the person sleeping under the bridge are all fellow image-bearers, made by Yahweh. This truth should produce humility in the successful and bestow dignity on the struggling. It should motivate us to generosity, to justice, and to a fundamental respect for every single person we meet. They are not a means to our end; they are creatures of our God.
Ultimately, the gospel is the final fulfillment of these truths. Jesus Christ, who had the greatest name in the universe, chose to make His name nothing, taking the form of a servant for our sake (Phil. 2:7). He, who was rich, became poor, so that we through His poverty might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9). At the foot of the cross, the rich and the poor truly meet together, for all are sinners saved by the same grace. Our only good name is the name of Christ, which we receive by faith. And our only true wealth is the favor of God, which was purchased for us by the silver and gold of His own precious blood.