Through compassionate fidelity and truth, sins are covered, and a respectful fear of God keeps us far from wrongdoing.
By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil (v.6). In this proverb, the inspired writer declares that God offers a way for humans to see their sins forgiven—through acts of compassion and devotion to truth—while also explaining that adopting a reverential attitude toward God guides people away from sinful actions. The phrase By lovingkindness and truth ties closely to the Hebrew notion of “loyal love,” a faithful mercy that carries with it a commitment to do good and to uphold what is right. This embodies God’s own character of combining compassion with truth, evident throughout Scripture, such as when the LORD is described as abounding in lovingkindness and truth in Exodus. It is precisely this covenant-like faithfulness that can cover and lift away wrongdoing. And as the verse continues, by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil, modeling the reality that an attitude of awe and respect toward God helps keep us aligned with His will rather than our own self-seeking desires.
By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for further shows that sin is not dealt with merely through ritual or legalistic obligations, but through the presence of steadfast love and moral integrity—virtues that reflect God’s own nature. The concept of atonement underscores how wrongdoing severs relationship between us and God or between us and our neighbor, and how an intentional act of restoring loyalty, trustworthiness, and kindness can repair those breaches. Jesus’s work in the New Testament brings this verse to its ultimate fulfillment, as He expressed God’s perfect lovingkindness and truth through His life and sacrificial death (John 1:14; Hebrews 10:14).
With And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil, the proverb makes a direct link between practicing reverence toward God and forsaking evil. Reverence for God shapes our thoughts, intentions, and deeds so that we shun wrongdoing. A proper fear of God recognizes His holiness and majesty, much like a child who respects a loving parent. This awe-based attitude deters us from pursuing selfishness or harm toward others. When we hold a correct view of God’s greatness, we naturally desire to do what pleases Him. Thus, lovingkindness and truth draw us closer to Him in relationship, and our reverence before Him leads us away from sin.
God forgives sin and fosters righteousness through the interplay of compassion, truthfulness, and a reverential heart. Both aspects are crucial: the nurturing, faithful love that covers our moral failings, and the upright fear of the LORD that keeps us from rejecting His commands. This balance of love and respect enables us to live in alignment with God’s best for our lives.
It tells us that God’s loyal love and truth are powerful enough to repair any breach created by sin, and that a continued reverence for Him preserves us from returning to destructive patterns.
It highlights that human sin can be covered by kindness and truth, and that reverence for God helps us forsake evil.
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Proverbs 16:6 meaning
By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil (v.6). In this proverb, the inspired writer declares that God offers a way for humans to see their sins forgiven—through acts of compassion and devotion to truth—while also explaining that adopting a reverential attitude toward God guides people away from sinful actions. The phrase By lovingkindness and truth ties closely to the Hebrew notion of “loyal love,” a faithful mercy that carries with it a commitment to do good and to uphold what is right. This embodies God’s own character of combining compassion with truth, evident throughout Scripture, such as when the LORD is described as abounding in lovingkindness and truth in Exodus. It is precisely this covenant-like faithfulness that can cover and lift away wrongdoing. And as the verse continues, by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil, modeling the reality that an attitude of awe and respect toward God helps keep us aligned with His will rather than our own self-seeking desires.
By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for further shows that sin is not dealt with merely through ritual or legalistic obligations, but through the presence of steadfast love and moral integrity—virtues that reflect God’s own nature. The concept of atonement underscores how wrongdoing severs relationship between us and God or between us and our neighbor, and how an intentional act of restoring loyalty, trustworthiness, and kindness can repair those breaches. Jesus’s work in the New Testament brings this verse to its ultimate fulfillment, as He expressed God’s perfect lovingkindness and truth through His life and sacrificial death (John 1:14; Hebrews 10:14).
With And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil, the proverb makes a direct link between practicing reverence toward God and forsaking evil. Reverence for God shapes our thoughts, intentions, and deeds so that we shun wrongdoing. A proper fear of God recognizes His holiness and majesty, much like a child who respects a loving parent. This awe-based attitude deters us from pursuing selfishness or harm toward others. When we hold a correct view of God’s greatness, we naturally desire to do what pleases Him. Thus, lovingkindness and truth draw us closer to Him in relationship, and our reverence before Him leads us away from sin.
God forgives sin and fosters righteousness through the interplay of compassion, truthfulness, and a reverential heart. Both aspects are crucial: the nurturing, faithful love that covers our moral failings, and the upright fear of the LORD that keeps us from rejecting His commands. This balance of love and respect enables us to live in alignment with God’s best for our lives.
It tells us that God’s loyal love and truth are powerful enough to repair any breach created by sin, and that a continued reverence for Him preserves us from returning to destructive patterns.
It highlights that human sin can be covered by kindness and truth, and that reverence for God helps us forsake evil.