Proverbs’ Duplicity
Doesn’t the Bible Have Clear Direction?
Originally published at https://pherothanaton.substack.com.
Does the Bible Really Contradict Itself?
Many claim that the Bible has contradictions. Most of these people cannot point out these contradictions, which are exposed as disingenuous when inspected. If we come from the position that the Bible is wrong and look for something to back up our bias, then we will convince ourselves that we have found it. However, if we look for truth, the Bible will always come out the victor and we will come out the wiser. I will present just such a case and then show the deeper truth within.
Two Verses, Two Instructions
In the book of Proverbs, there are two verses right next to each other that seem to contradict one another. Some might just read past them, and others might read into them. However, the contrast of these verses shows a larger harmony of the Bible and of God Himself. I’m going to address these verses, but, more importantly, a theme and complex harmony in the Bible that they represent. The verses:
Proverbs 26:4-5 Answer not a fool according to his folly,
lest you be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Clearly, a person could be confused or think that they’ve found a contradiction here. However, upon closer inspection, these verses tell a very important lesson, which I will touch on, but then we will be looking deeper and I will show you an underlying theme in the double nature of these verses and the much larger message and spirit in the Bible and within its teachings.
Why Would Solomon Give Opposite Advice?
Let’s look at the meaning of the verses first. Why would the eventual “teacher,” as Solomon referred to himself later in Ecclesiastes, direct the reader to do two different actions for the same scenario? This isn’t the clear direction that we’re told that the Bible is supposed to tell us what to do and how to live, right? Many Christians are told or fall under the impression that the Bible answers every question and situation in life clearly, without ambiguity.
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When we look closer, the answer is simple. The teacher is telling us that there are proper solutions to similar scenarios, even when those solutions are completely opposite. How can that be? Isn’t there a “Biblical standard”? Yes, there is, but the standard is not a one size fits all for all solutions, no matter how similar or dissimilar they are or may be. We are attempting to force the Bible into a narrative of simpleness. We are trying to make the Bible as wide as a pond and deep as a puddle, but it is as wide as a universe, and deeper than reality.
When Silence is Better Than Engagement
Now, to address the two verses and their applicability. For the first scenario, you are not to answer the foolish arguing of a person who isn’t seeking a debate and is only looking to argue, turn your words against you and escalate the situation. Simply put, they are a fool and to engage them will rub off some amount of foolishness on you. We’ve all, by the year 2026, become familiar with people like this, especially if you’ve been online at all. This advice could actually be heeded by far more people online. There is no point in engaging and they will not listen to a single point you make, but only look for the one thing that you said which they can take out of context. You are giving them ammunition. Even the strongest arguments that are spoken most eloquently will be torn apart, not by logic, but by pure, unadulterated, stupid perseverance and refusal to understand any point. This is the basic interpretation of that verse, but it could even be studied more thoroughly if desired.
When Answering is Necessary
For the second verse, you are not to leave a fool unanswered, because he will see himself as wise and will demand that you are the fool. Similar scenario, at least on paper, but a different response and intended outcome. This can even be for the same foolish person the previous Proverb refers to, but at a different time. One such scenario is where you can make a point with a single statement and then disengage. Another, and this is one I would suggest to consider for others, is to engage with a fool when others are listening, but be cautious and slow to anger. Just like one of the points with the last Proverb, many people are not arguing to win, but to find something that they can misuse. They do this for show. In the same way, there are times when we must answer, not for them, but for those who are listening. The person listening might have their mind changed or become aware of information that they were not aware before. We are to be very cautious when doing this, but it can be a strong witness.
What These Proverbs Really Teach Us
I’ve only created two simple scenarios where these verses can be very easily applied and understood. These verses now may seem a little more straightforward. However, I would like to point out some larger lessons and statements that can be made and learned from them. The duplicity of the two Proverbs, and their proximity to each other, shows us some things about the Bible itself.
Wisdom Over Rules
The first thing that we can learn from these Proverbs is that the Bible doesn’t make decisions for us, but arms us to make decisions through teaching us Wisdom and Discernment. The more time that we spend in the Bible, prayer and solitary time with God, the more we will naturally be in line with Him, and His will, His solutions and His guidance will be with us.
Not Every Answer is Immediate
There are many times that people want to just open the Bible and for it to remove the decision they’re facing from them with a simple, easy solution. I’m sure most people, not even exclusively Christians, have opened their Bible and put their finger on a random spot hoping that it would just explain away the trial or struggle that they are going through at the time. However, a theme in the Bible is that you will get your answer as a byproduct of seeking God, reading the Bible and prayer. Not in the form of a “do this exact thing” or “do that exact thing”, but in learning Wisdom and different principles that the Bible and Christ taught and continue to teach.
God Gives Guidance, Not a Script
We also learn that there are times that the solution won’t be clear, for many and various reasons. Some reasons for this would be that God is working in us in some way, God wants us to seek Him and His will, God is teaching us a larger lesson, we have removed our eyes from God and He is trying to get us to refocus on Him, among many, many other reasons that we may not know for many years, if we ever find out at all.
God’s Plan and Human Choice
We don’t just see this in hearing from God or making decisions, but there is an underlying truth in the Bible that God has a perfect plan for us, but He leaves the choices up to us. That same kind of choice that is presented in these two Proverbs. Yes, we can choose to argue based on wisdom and discernment, or we can decide not to. Ultimately, the choice is ours and God has tried to empower us to make the best decision. I’m sure that you’ve heard that idea a thousand times from pastors and different Christians in your life, but it is one of those statements that gains more meaning and depth the more we don’t just hear it but truly understand it. Generally, by experiencing these scenarios more and more.
The Bible as a Living Guide
We see this theme throughout the Bible, that God doesn’t just say, “In this scenario, refer to this spot and the answer shall be revealed” as if it is a literal manual. The Bible is more of a living training that prepares us to make the proper decisions for the many different scenarios that we face. One thing that many Christians have experienced is being told by non-Christians what a Christian is supposed to do, and it’s usually a single action for many scenarios, which conveniently conforms to their desired morality. Yet, when we actually read the Bible, we see a much different teaching. We see this even in Ecclesiastes:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
Allow me to point out: this passage is not meant as a justification for our desires, “see, the Bible says that I can kill”, it is more of a statement that there are an innumerable number of scenarios and solutions to those scenarios, it is not prescribing or condoning any specific one. We would go to the rest of the Bible for that. That is another reflection of the two, seemingly, contradictory verses in Proverbs. Jesus Himself chooses to remain silent and also to answer, almost without reason, at face value, during His judgement and condemnation to death.
Trust God Above All Else
Now, all that being said, I need to point out, this duplicity and openness to our understanding and wisdom to make decisions should never override the most important teaching that is all throughout Proverbs and the Bible: Trust God. No matter how bad things seem, no matter how much you think that you would or wouldn’t benefit from something, no matter how lost you are, Trust God. The Bible never subverts God’s authority or listening to or for God, but it also never contradicts what He says. If you think there is some contradiction, study, seek, pray and wait. The contradiction will clarify, or remove itself.
We see this principle throughout Proverbs and the Bible, stated over and over again:
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
This, in many ways, finishes the thought, or puts a period at the thought presented by the two proverbs. No matter what choices are before you and what you wish to or think you should make, Trust God.
A Principle That Never Changes
So, is there a complex teaching to be had in Proverbs 26:4-5? Yes, but it does not supersede other, more foundational and important teachings, like to Trust God. This is a complementary teaching that is only meant to help us look for the deeper decisions in things. Nothing in the Bible excuses or removes other teachings, if you think it does, you need to look further into it with prayer. The Bible complements itself, it never contradicts itself. Just like it doesn’t with God, there is a harmony with God and the Bible, which contains His teachings.
My point in all this, as I’m sure you picked up on, is three-fold. First, the Bible has lessons that can be learned from and taken at face value. Second, many teachings in the Bible have a deeper meaning if we look further into it and truly study and seek it out that align with a harmony and spirit within the teachings of the Bible. Third and lastly, Trust God, no matter what the actual trial or solution is.
Originally published at https://pherothanaton.substack.com.
