Proverbs 6:1 - Meaning and Application

The word of God is excellent because it teaches us not only divine wisdom for the life to come, but also good judgment for this life. It helps us manage our affairs wisely. One sound rule is to avoid becoming surety, because this often brings poverty and ruin into families. It can take away the comfort in relationships that the last chapter spoke about.

We should see suretyship as a trap and stay away from it, as Proverbs 6:1-2 says. It is risky enough for a man to pledge himself for a friend, even one whose situation he knows well and whose ability to pay he trusts. It is much worse to “strike hands” with a stranger, that is, to guarantee someone you do not know well, whether that stranger is the borrower or the creditor. If you have rashly entered such an agreement, whether talked into it or done in hopes of getting the same favor later, know that you are trapped by the words of your mouth.

This should remind us not to make light of what we say. A few spoken words can put us in debt to men and leave us exposed to legal action. In the same way, our words can also bring us under God’s judgment. Words are not just wind, they can become snares.

If we have already fallen into this trap, wisdom says to get out as quickly as possible, as Proverbs 6:3-5 teaches. For now, the matter may seem quiet. No one may be pressing for payment yet, and the principal borrower may say, “Do not worry, we will handle it.” But the bond still stands, interest may keep growing, the creditor may demand payment at any time, and the borrower may turn out dishonest or unable to pay.

Then you may have to take from your wife and children, and ruin your family to pay a debt you did not even owe for yourself. So free yourself. Do not rest until the creditor releases you or the borrower gives you strong security in your place. If you have gotten yourself under another person’s power, this is no time for threats or harsh words. That only makes things worse. Instead, humble yourself, ask earnestly to be released, and leave no effort undone until the matter is settled and your bond can no longer hurt you or your household.

This is the kind of care that may well keep you awake, and it should, until you are free. Give no sleep to your eyes until you have delivered yourself. Work hard and quickly, like a deer or a bird escaping from a hunter’s trap. Delays are dangerous, and half-hearted efforts will not do. God, in his word, has shown concern for how people handle their money and property, and he teaches practical wisdom for daily life as well as faith for eternity.

Still, we should understand this rightly. The Bible is not saying that it is always wrong to be surety or bail for someone else. In some cases, it may be an act of justice or kindness. A man with friends may rightly choose to show friendship in this way, and it may not be foolish. Paul, the apostle, even agreed to stand responsible for Onesimus (Philemon 1:19). We may also help a young man begin business if we know him to be honest and hardworking, and our support may help him gain credit without harming ourselves.

Even so, it is wise to avoid debt as much as possible, because it burdens a person, tangles him in worldly concerns, and puts him at risk of both doing wrong and suffering wrong. The borrower becomes the lender’s servant. Christians, who have been bought with a price, should not make themselves the servants of men without good reason (1 Corinthians 7:23). It is also very foolish to tie ourselves to needy people who are always borrowing and shifting one debt to another, because sooner or later the burden is likely to fall on us.

No one should ever become surety for more than he is able and willing to pay, and for more than he can afford without hurting his own family if the borrower fails. He should treat it as his own debt. The wise saying from Ecclesiasticus 8:13 is fitting here, do not go surety beyond your ability, because if you do, you must be ready to pay. If we have already acted foolishly, then common sense says to get out of the trap as fast as we can, spare no effort, and do not refuse any humble step needed to make things safe and settled. It is better to humble ourselves to gain peace than to ruin ourselves through stubborn pride.

So make your friend secure by getting clear of your own promises to him, because reckless suretyship can damage friendship as much as wise suretyship sometimes strengthens it. We should also be careful not to become guilty in any way of other people’s sins against God (1 Timothy 5:22). That is far worse and far more dangerous than being responsible for another person’s debt. If we must be so earnest to clear debts owed to people, then we should be even more earnest to make peace with God.

Humble yourself before him. Make sure of Christ as your friend, so that he may intercede for you. Pray earnestly that your sins may be forgiven and that you may be kept from going down to the pit, and your prayer will not be wasted. Give no sleep to your eyes, or slumber to your eyelids, until this is done.