Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 27:21 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise. "
Proverbs 27:21
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
19 Like water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.
20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man’s eyes are never satisfied.
21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise.
22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.
23 Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds,
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This verse gives us a test we can use on ourselves. Silver and gold are tested by fire and by the refining pot, and people are tested by praise. Let a person be lifted up and favored, and then his true character will show.
If praise makes a man proud, self-important, and contemptuous, then it shows what he really is. If he takes the honor for himself instead of giving glory to God, as Herod did, then the praise has exposed his vanity. If the more he is praised, the less careful he is about what he says and does, or if he lies in bed until noon because people are talking well of him, then he is clearly a foolish man. In that case, all the praise in the world has not made him truly worthy of it.
But if praise makes a man more thankful to God, more respectful to his friends, and more alert to anything that could damage his good name, then it shows he is wise and good. If it pushes him to work harder, grow better, and do good to others so he can live up to the hopes people have for him, then the praise has done him good. A person has a steady and healthy spirit who can pass by both criticism and praise and remain the same (2 Corinthians 6:8).
From This Chapter
Proverbs 27:1
"Don’t boast about tomorrow; for you don’t know what a day may bring."
Proverbs 27:2
"Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips."
Proverbs 27:3
"A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both."
Proverbs 27:4
"Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy?"
Proverbs 27:5
"Better is open rebuke than hidden love."
Proverbs 27:6
"The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse."
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