Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 18:19 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: King James Version
" A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. "
Proverbs 18:19
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit
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Great care must be taken to prevent quarrels among relatives, and among people who are specially bound to one another. Such conflicts are especially ugly and unnatural, and they are often felt more deeply than other offenses. Wisdom and grace would make it easy for us to forgive a relative or friend who has hurt us, but our sinful nature makes that very hard. So we must be careful not to offend a brother, or anyone who has treated us like a brother, because ingratitude stirs people up strongly.
We should also work hard to settle disagreements between relatives as quickly as possible. This is difficult work, and that is part of what makes it honorable when it is done well. Esau, a brother who had been offended, seemed harder to win than a strong city, yet God changed his heart in answer to Jacob’s prayer.
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From This Chapter
Proverbs 18:1
"Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom."
Proverbs 18:2
"A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover"
Proverbs 18:3
"When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach."
Proverbs 18:4
"The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook."
Proverbs 18:5
"It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment."
Proverbs 18:6
"A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes."
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