Treasure God’s truth, and never trade away the gift of His wisdom.
Proverbs 23:23 exhorts, “Buy truth, and do not sell it, get wisdom and instruction and understanding” (v.23). The commercial language of buying and selling underscores the high value God places on His truth and wisdom—rather than goods to be traded away, these are treasures to be acquired and kept. Throughout Proverbs, wisdom is portrayed as an active force that guided the very foundations of creation, an ever-present invitation to align our lives with God’s design (Proverbs 8:22-31 meaning). When we “buy” truth, it means we intentionally seek it, even at a cost to our comfort or pride; when we refrain from “selling” it, we guard ourselves from discarding or abandoning divine insight under the pressures of worldly values.
Holding firmly to truth and wisdom deepens spiritual perspective and moral resolve. Proverbs warns that ignoring instruction robs us of our ability to live abundantly, tangling us in sin’s destructive consequences (Proverbs 5:21-23 meaning). By contrast, embracing God’s truth nurtures a heart that fears the Lord, which is the foundation for true understanding (Proverbs 1:7). This heart-level devotion to the ways of God involves trusting that He is our ultimate teacher, and humbly receiving His wisdom leads to a life that flourishes under His guidance (Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 13:10 commentary).
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Proverbs 23:23 meaning
Proverbs 23:23 exhorts, “Buy truth, and do not sell it, get wisdom and instruction and understanding” (v.23). The commercial language of buying and selling underscores the high value God places on His truth and wisdom—rather than goods to be traded away, these are treasures to be acquired and kept. Throughout Proverbs, wisdom is portrayed as an active force that guided the very foundations of creation, an ever-present invitation to align our lives with God’s design (Proverbs 8:22-31 meaning). When we “buy” truth, it means we intentionally seek it, even at a cost to our comfort or pride; when we refrain from “selling” it, we guard ourselves from discarding or abandoning divine insight under the pressures of worldly values.
Holding firmly to truth and wisdom deepens spiritual perspective and moral resolve. Proverbs warns that ignoring instruction robs us of our ability to live abundantly, tangling us in sin’s destructive consequences (Proverbs 5:21-23 meaning). By contrast, embracing God’s truth nurtures a heart that fears the Lord, which is the foundation for true understanding (Proverbs 1:7). This heart-level devotion to the ways of God involves trusting that He is our ultimate teacher, and humbly receiving His wisdom leads to a life that flourishes under His guidance (Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 13:10 commentary).