Iron sharpens Iron

‘Iron by Iron is sharpened, And a man sharpens the face of his friend’ Proverbs 27: 17 (Youngs’ Literal Translation)

I especially like this translation of the verse because it gives a slightly different perspective on this verse.

First, 'Iron by Iron':

This tells me that the only element that is competent, adequate, sufficient enough to match Iron is Iron. It can only be sharpened by itself.

We are not of the world (John 17:14). We bear a different spirit, the spirit of God and He dwells in each of us that are born by Him.

Who are the people in your circle of trust?

Choose your company wisely and keep an eye out for whom you accept counsel from.

The second perspective is 'is sharpened':

The goal of the coming together of iron is to sharpen.

Matthew Henry* tells us in his commentary on the verse that when we come together, it should not be to slander, or banter or speak ill of each other but to improve each other.

To sharpen means many things. In this context, it refers to how we make ourselves more alert, wiser, more precise or more thorough.

As Iron by Iron is sharpened, this is how we are to sharpen the face of our friends.

When a believer has a conversation with you, do they leave with a sharpened face or ears tingling with gossip? Do they leave improved or ashamed because you have spoken without grace?

*Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, PC Study Bible Formatted Electronic Database Copyright © 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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