We should strive always to remember that righteousness offers us the sure path of deliverance.
When King Solomon, who reigned as king of Israel from around 970 to 931 BC and was the son of King David, proclaims “Ill-gotten gains do not profit, But righteousness delivers from death” (v.2), he draws a stark contrast between dishonest wealth and upright living. During Solomon’s rule in Jerusalem, he led Israel to great prosperity. Nevertheless, as this proverb indicates, mere wealth obtained through deceit or oppression holds no lasting value. This timeless principle underlines that God values the integrity of our hearts over the accumulation of money achieved through wrongful means.
The second part of “But righteousness delivers from death” (v.2) offers the encouraging picture of moral living as a shield against ultimate ruin. In the Old Testament context, “death” can indicate more than just physical expiration; it can signify spiritual separation or a collapse of one’s standing before God or community. Solomon’s conviction resonates with the broader scriptural theme that life guided by God’s ways brings lasting well-being. In the New Testament, Jesus repeatedly stresses the danger of pursuing wealth with selfish motives, while pointing to the eternal value of heavenly treasures (Matthew 6:19-21).
The verse as a whole focuses on the enduring reality that one’s character and alignment with God’s standards have greater consequence than the temporary gains of wrongdoing. As believers today, we can see how Christ embodies the very essence of righteousness, offering eternal deliverance to those who trust in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21), reinforcing Solomon’s ancient wisdom that what truly matters is not what we accumulate but the purity of our motives and behavior.
Set to dark mode
Proverbs 10:2 meaning
When King Solomon, who reigned as king of Israel from around 970 to 931 BC and was the son of King David, proclaims “Ill-gotten gains do not profit, But righteousness delivers from death” (v.2), he draws a stark contrast between dishonest wealth and upright living. During Solomon’s rule in Jerusalem, he led Israel to great prosperity. Nevertheless, as this proverb indicates, mere wealth obtained through deceit or oppression holds no lasting value. This timeless principle underlines that God values the integrity of our hearts over the accumulation of money achieved through wrongful means.
The second part of “But righteousness delivers from death” (v.2) offers the encouraging picture of moral living as a shield against ultimate ruin. In the Old Testament context, “death” can indicate more than just physical expiration; it can signify spiritual separation or a collapse of one’s standing before God or community. Solomon’s conviction resonates with the broader scriptural theme that life guided by God’s ways brings lasting well-being. In the New Testament, Jesus repeatedly stresses the danger of pursuing wealth with selfish motives, while pointing to the eternal value of heavenly treasures (Matthew 6:19-21).
The verse as a whole focuses on the enduring reality that one’s character and alignment with God’s standards have greater consequence than the temporary gains of wrongdoing. As believers today, we can see how Christ embodies the very essence of righteousness, offering eternal deliverance to those who trust in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21), reinforcing Solomon’s ancient wisdom that what truly matters is not what we accumulate but the purity of our motives and behavior.