Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 28:23 - 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
" One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue. "
Proverbs 28:23
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is a partner with a destroyer.
25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper.
Explore Guided Bible Studies
Structured sessions with notes, questions, and advisor insights
The Beatitudes (5-Day Micro)
A short study on Jesus' blessings and the kingdom way.
Session 1 Preview:
Blessed Are the Humble
6 min
Psalms of Comfort (5-Day Micro)
Short, calming sessions grounded in the Psalms.
Session 1 Preview:
The Shepherd's Care
5 min
Create a free account to save notes, track progress, and unlock all sessions
Create Free AccountBible Guided Commentary
Flatterers may please people for a while, but later those same people will hate and despise them. If they ever come to see the evil of the sinful ways they were encouraged in, and if they grow ashamed of the pride and vanity that those flatteries fed, they will turn against the smooth-tongued flatterers. They will also reject the praise itself, because it had a harmful effect and has become disgusting to them.
By contrast, honest reprovers may upset people at first, yet later they are often loved and respected. A friend who faithfully tells someone his faults may stir up anger for the moment, and may even get harsh words instead of thanks. Still, that friend will later have the comfort of knowing he did his duty, and the person corrected may admit it was a kindness. In time, that person will think highly of the reprover’s wisdom and faithfulness, and will see him as a true friend.
It is like a surgeon who hurts when he searches a wound. A patient may cry out against him at first, but once the wound is healed, he will pay him well and thank him too.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 28:1
"The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion."
Proverbs 28:2
"In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge."
Proverbs 28:3
"A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops."
Proverbs 28:4
"Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them."
Proverbs 28:5
"Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully."
Proverbs 28:6
"Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich."
Daily Prayer
Get a daily Scripture reflection by email
Start each morning with a verse, a prayer, and a simple next step.
Important Disclaimer: This biblical guidance is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you're experiencing crisis symptoms, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or seek immediate professional help.
Bible Guided provides faith-based guidance and should complement, not replace, professional therapeutic support.