Iron Sharpeneth Iron In The Bible

What Is The Best Proverb

150 Common English Proverbs with Meanings and ExamplesA bad workman always blames his tools. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. A cat has nine lives. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Actions speak louder than words. A drowning man will clutch at a straw. Adversity and loss make a man wise.More itemsMay 6, 2021

What Does It Mean To Sharpen Someone

transitive verb/intransitive verb. If your senses, understanding, or skills sharpen or are sharpened, you become better at noticing things, thinking, or doing something. Her gaze sharpened, as if she had seen something unusual. He will need to sharpen his diplomatic skills in order to work with Congress.

What Does It Mean When Iron Sharpens Iron

4.1/5iron sharpens ironshould

Similarly one may ask, can Iron sharpens iron?

So yes, given what the ancient writers knew as âironâ , one could indeed âsharpenâ iron implements with other iron implements.

Similarly, what is dull iron? âAs iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. â The iron in the proverb improves by being sharpened. The assumption is that the âironâ is a knife or a saw or an axe, or some other iron tool where effectiveness increases with sharpness.

People also ask, what does the Bible say about iron?

Deuteronomy 28:23And thy heaven that over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee iron.

How does a blacksmith sharpen iron?

A blacksmith hammers the steel so that the edge stays thick. After the âheat-treatâ and âtemperâ, stones are used to grind the blade edge to make it sharp. If a blacksmith has a piece of iron or steel, but does not know which one it is, the blacksmith can heat-treat it like steel.

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Whats The Meaning Of Proverbs 27 14

Biblical Translations of Proverbs 27:14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse. NLT. A loud and cheerful greeting early in the morning will be taken as a curse! ESV. Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing

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Is There Anywhere Else In The Bible That Talks About Iron

There are plenty of other places in Scripture that mention the word iron. Many times iron is simply referring to an element used in building structures and craftsmanship .

In the Old Testament, tools made of iron were not to be used on the stone altars . The Caananites were known to have chariots of iron . Iron was even used in the building of the temple during the time of Solomon .

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Ok So What Does As Iron Sharpens Iron Mean

Blacksmith uses medieval style of anvil in his craft

17 Iron sharpeneth iron so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. ~ Pr 27:17

Good mens graces are sharpened by converse with those that are good, and bad mens lusts and passions are sharpened by converse with those that are bad, as iron is sharpened by its like, especially by the file. Men are filed, made smooth, and bright, and fit for business , by conversation.

that is, conversation promotes intelligence, which the face exhibits.

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What Is The Context Of Proverbs 2: 17 And Iron Sharpens Iron

It is important when trying to understand the meaning of a Bible verse to look at the entire passage surrounding it. The challenge with Proverbs is that at first glance, the chapters appear to be a conglomeration of random advice put together. Proverbs 27 encompasses greater themes of community, authenticity, and provision.

Proverbs 27:4-5 says, Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Proverbs 27:10-11 says, Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relatives house when disaster strikes you better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away. Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

Proverbs 27:15-16 says, A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.

These are just a few verses leading up to iron sharpens iron in verse 17. Proverbs 27 is teaching the value of honest relationships that ultimately help us become more like Christ. Solomon shared about finding authentic friendship, dealing delicately with friend and family struggles, and the dangers of a wife who picks fights. I believe friendship, family, and marriage are three of the key areas that can sharpen us the most.

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The Person Must Drink Spiritual Milk

1 Peter 2:1-3 says, Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. Someone caught up with worldly pleasures is not going to be a good influence. However, you want to find someone who is actively growing in his/her faith. Although no one is perfect when it comes to their spiritual journey, you should at least recognize a difference in the person you choose to let sharpen you.

The Person Must Be Attached To The Vine

People attached to God are receiving their nutrients from the source of life and are watering the spiritual seeds planted at conversion. The person you see the most love, joy, peace and patience and other fruits of the Spirit is probably a good candidate to enter into a deeper spiritual relationship.

Now that you have learned from someone who is regularly sharpening himself, how do you become the person who sharpens others in return?

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Spiritual Sharpening Between Believers

However, with all that said, this passage has often been applied to two believers sharpening each other spiritually. That, through our interactions with other believers, we can strengthen each other’s faith, improve each other’s character and sharpen each other.

This concept can be gleaned from the passage. Through our interactions with others, we can sharpen one anothers outward expression . This interpretation is not outside the realm of possibility, but requires a little more reading into the passage.

So whether you take it literally, or perhaps more metaphorically, one important principle to keep in mind with this passage is that it discusses the sharpening of ones countenance. That there is an improvement to their current state. It also specifies this interaction as occurring between close companions.

Iron Sharpens Iron: A Principle Of Relationship

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

The concept of iron sharpening iron obviously implies at least two pieces of iron. It would be impossible for one tool to become sharper without the presence of the other. Left isolated, both blades would be dull and quite useless. This simple Proverb illustrates an important biblical principle. God expects us to live and serve in a community of other believers , and He desires for us to build loving and growing relationships with others .

The process of helping someone else improve their effectiveness absolutely requires a positive relationship. Earlier in this same chapter , it says, Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. We know this concept to be true. It is much better to accept Godly advice or even constructive criticism from someone we know, someone we love, and someone we know that cares about us, than it is from a stranger or simple acquaintance. We want to know that the person giving us the counsel has our best interest at heart. Friends may indeed wound us at times, but we can understand and appreciate their genuine motives. Conversely, the kisses from enemies fall flat and we can imagine their devious hypocrisy.

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Be The Person Who Is Being Held Accountable

Ive heard it said that accountability is being held accountable for your abilities. Not only does it matter what you do in this life, but also what you dont do. Your walk with God will be impeded when you fail to act in a situation when doing the right thing was clear, or you act in fear rather than in boldness. How can you sharpen others if fear rules your life? Those rods cannot sharpen unless they are being sharpened in return. Be someone who knows wise counsel when she sees it. Seek help when you need it and know that you will always have more to learn in the Christian life.

Explanation And Commentary Of Proverbs 2: 17

In the worlds economy, men dominate other men . There are leaders and there are followers. There are gurus and spiritual directors who are oppressive. But in Gods economy, the Kingdom of God, there are equals, and even where one is in a position of authority, it is an authority of servanthood. Jesus was clear that in his Church leaders would not domineer like the Gentiles, but would humbly serve, like Christ, who not only washed the feet of his disciples but died for the sins of the whole world.

In this light, all of our relationships are to be Christ-centered. We are to commend the truth to one another in love, and so grow together into the likeness of Christ. Paul said that he had discarded any cunning or underhanded ways of ministering, and instead sought to set forth the truth plainly commend self to everyones conscience in the sight of God . The only good relationships are the kind where both parties are sharpened by the truth-telling and example of the other. This is part of the great blessing of Christian brotherhood and ought not to be neglected.

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Iron Sharpeneth Iron Prov 2: 17

Iron Sharpeneth Iron Prov. 27: 17

The Bible says, Iron sharpeneth iron. You see how this works in 1 Sam 13:21, Yet they had a filefor the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads. These instruments that were sharpened are the:

• Mattock like a pick ax.
• Coulter a sharp steel wedge that cuts vertically through the soil and precedes the plow.
• Fork like a pitch fork or an earth fork.
• Ax hatchet.
• Goad a pointed instrument used to prod into motion.

These had to be sharpened with a file the rubbing of the file against the iron caused something to be filed off on each side of the blade causing it to sharpen.

So, as you spend time with people they are going to rub off on you determine then what you would like be as you mature and hang around those people remember that you get the good with the bad so be sure to balance your contacts in Phil 4:9 Paul rubbed off on the Philippians Jesus trained his disciples this way.

Remember that you also sharpen the countenance of your friends so what you are is going to rub off on others if you have contact with other people how do you want to influence them? You can be a good influence or a bad influence just by the things you do and say.

Here are some things to consider:

Make your friends sharper always try to find a way to be a help to your friends by just being around you they should want to improve.

The Holy Spirit Convicts And The Word Of God Sharpens

God can use the wounds of a friend to sharpen us, motivate us, and provide some accountability for our lives. However, true victory and lasting progress come only from God Himself. Hebrews 4:12 says, The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The familiar verses in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 shed some light on this, All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Notice the progression steps in this text. Biblical principles are profitable for doctrine, or the systematic teaching of Gods Word, but Gods Word is also beneficial or helpful for three other things reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness. God can and will use the iron sharpening iron process of good friends to help us in our walk for Him. But, most certainly God will use the convicting power of His Holy Spirit and the word of God to rebuke us of the sinful and harmful practices in our lives. But God never just points out weaknesses without providing a solution. Gods word will help us correct the problem and will provide the step-by-step instructions we need to go on living in righteousness.

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As Iron Sharpens Iron So One Person Sharpens Another

With todays post we complete our August journey through some of the Bibles proverbs. Great quotations in their own right. And worthy of attention and incorporation into our lives. Their wisdom has stood the test of time, and the principles they cite are as relevant today as when they were first writtennow more than three millennia ago. Proverbs 27:17 teaches through analogy, as many of the proverbs do. Lets look at the primary analogy and then draw some conclusions implied by the proverb.

The primary analogy is about improvement through process. As iron improves by the right kind of interaction with other ironso a person is improved by the right kind of interaction with another person. The iron in the proverb improves by being sharpened. The assumption is that the iron is a knife or a saw or an axe, or some other iron tool where effectiveness increases with sharpness. This principle is then applied by way of analogy to human relationships. That one person becomes more effective through the right kind of interaction with another person. As with all analogies there are limits. But the main point is clear and beyond dispute. Lets look at some implications from this proverb.

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Iron Sharpens Iron: A Principle Of Willingness

The final principle also works in cooperation with the preceding one. Yes, both parties should want what is best for each other but to build on that concept, there is an additional step. Whenever a good friend sincerely wants to help us grow and it is obvious that they truly want what is best for us, then it is imperative for us to accept their counsel, advice, or constructive criticism with an attitude of willingness and acceptance of what they are telling us.

It also behooves us to do whatever specific things we need to do to improve. There are times when even the most well-meaning friends can point out weak, even dangerous trends in our lives. However, that person, no matter how close of a friend they are, may not understand or know what exact things should be done to fix the situation. Thats why situations like this should drive us back to the life-changing truth of Gods word.

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Does This Passage Support Having Theological Debates

When someone wants to get into theological debates with another person whom they may not know very well, they will sometimes use this proverb as a defense. Well… iron sharpens iron. Or sometimes, when iron is sharpening iron, there are sparks…

Does this passage support that type of scenario?

Is a persons countenance improved by a heated theological debate in which voices are raised and emotions flare, and both individuals leave that interaction more frustrated with one another than they started? Are you sharpening iron in that situationor merely banging metal together?

It is an important distinction.

Whether you consider the interpretation of Proverbs 27:17Proverbs 27:17Iron sharpens iron so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.American King James Version×to be simply cheering up a close companion, or whether you consider it to be spiritually sharpening one another, the underlying principle is the same. It is discussing an interaction between close friends, and one or both of the individuals are leaving the interaction with their countenance, their visible outward expression, character, faith or attitude sharpened.

It is a positive interaction.

If these things are not present, or if the interaction has been overwhelmingly negative, you have not sharpened anything.

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