NIV Application Commentary: Proverbs (NIVAC)

by Paul E. Koptak

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2003

Overview

What is wisdom? Does occupying the top of life’s heap mean you have it? Does being near the bottom mean you don’t? Wisdom can certainly help you acquire wealth, influence people, or succeed at your career, yet it involves more than knowledge alone. It’s also a matter of understanding God’s perspectives in applying what you know and having the character to act accordingly. That is why true wisdom—the kind that begins with fear of the Lord—frequently runs counter to what our culture values and applauds. This is the wisdom the book of Proverbs teaches.

Proverbs deals with the relationship between heaven and earth on a practical level that covers the broad swath of human activity. We could all use more wisdom in our lives; the book of Proverbs was designed to guide us into it. Proverbs is far from monolithic. It has multiple authors and employs diverse styles. But its goal remains simple: to equip us for living in a way that succeeds first and foremost in God’s eyes. Exploring the links between the Bible and our own times, Paul Koptak shares perspectives on Proverbs that reveal ageless truths for our 21st-century lives.

Key Features

• Preface by the author
• In-depth introduction
• Bibliographical references and indexes

Contents

Top Highlights

“The four admonitions that follow each include some mention of God. The last three use the name Yahweh, making the claim that he is to be trusted, feared, and honored. Therefore, each admonition charges the son to give up a self-centered fantasy and replace it with a God-centered reality. Readers too are challenged to hand over the fantasies of callous independence (3:3–4), self-determination (3:5–6), freedom to make one’s own moral rules (3:7–8), total ownership of goods (3:9–10), and freedom from correction (3:11–12). Taken together, their message is clear: ‘You cannot be masters of your own destiny; you cannot be your own gods.’” (Pages 118–119)

“This verse is often understood as a promise of guidance and sometimes even as a warrant for making choices that go against one’s own judgment. ‘It seemed crazy, but I felt the Lord’s leading.…’ However true it may be that God’s guidance can lead us in unexpected directions, a study of this verse in its context will both enrich and challenge this understanding. In short, the teaching of this chapter urges its readers and hearers to give up their fantasies of self-determination and self-sufficiency and turn to wisdom, a guide and protector from the real danger of self-destruction.” (Page 117)

“Fortunately, the book of Proverbs itself tells us that its sayings were collected with three purposes in mind: to teach wisdom, form character, and encourage an obedient relationship with the Lord (see the comments on 1:1–7).” (Page 23)

“Humility of the learner. Wisdom is not so much a goal to be attained as a posture of humility, a willingness to receive instruction. A wise person is a learning person, a person in process, not a finished product.” (Page 67)

Product Details

• Title: Proverbs
• Author: Paul E. Koptak
• Series: NIV Application Commentary
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2003
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Pages: 720
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. Proverbs › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9780310490500, 9780310218524, 0310490502, 0310218527
• Resource ID: LLS:NIVAC20PR
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:51:13Z

About Paul E. Koptak

Paul E. Koptak (PhD, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary/Northwestern University) is Paul and Bernice Brandel Professor of Communication and Biblical Interpretation at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL.