The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.
fear
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
and
Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
Proverbs 25:6,7 Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: …
Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
and humility comes before honor
Humility is a recurring theme in Scripture, often linked with wisdom and righteousness. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, humility was not always valued, as honor and status were often pursued. However, the biblical perspective turns this on its head, teaching that true honor comes from God and is often preceded by humility. This principle is echoed in James 4:10, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." Humility involves recognizing one's limitations and dependence on God, contrasting with pride, which leads to downfall (Proverbs 16:18). Jesus Christ exemplified ultimate humility, as seen in Philippians 2:5-11, where He humbled Himself even to the point of death on a cross, and was subsequently exalted by God. This phrase teaches that in God's economy, lowering oneself in humility is the path to being lifted up in honor.
- “The fear of the LORD” centers on a reverent awe that shapes every choice (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10).
- It is not terror that drives us away; it is worshipful respect that draws us near (Exodus 20:20).
- Such fear guards the heart against self‐reliance and sin (Proverbs 16:6).
- The verse states: “The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom” (Proverbs 15:33a).
• Fear becomes the classroom where God Himself teaches (Psalm 25:12).
• Wisdom is not merely learned facts; it is a God‐given skill for living (Proverbs 2:6; James 1:5).
- Every wise lesson begins with submission to God’s authority, ensuring that knowledge turns into righteous action (Proverbs 3:5-7).
- True fear of the LORD cultivates humility, the soil in which His honor grows (Proverbs 22:4; Micah 6:8).
- Scripture consistently pairs lowering ourselves with God raising us up (James 4:6,10; 1 Peter 5:6).
- Jesus modeled the pattern perfectly: “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death… therefore God exalted Him” (Philippians 2:8-9).
- Start each day acknowledging God’s rightful place as Lord (Psalm 111:10).
- Seek His wisdom through Scripture before making decisions (Psalm 119:105).
- Embrace humble service, trusting God to grant any honor in His timing (Luke 14:11).
Proverbs 15:33 links three unbreakable realities: reverent fear of the LORD leads to God’s wisdom; that reverent wisdom nurtures humility; and genuine humility positions us for the honor God alone bestows. Choosing this path places us under His instruction today and into eternal reward tomorrow.
(33) The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom.--Or, a discipline which leads to wisdom. (Comp. Proverbs 1:7.)Before honour is humility.--Humility leads to it. (Comp. Luke 1:52.)
Verse 33. - The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; that which leads to and gives wisdom (see Proverbs 1:3, 7, etc.; Proverbs 9:10). 'Pirke Aboth,' 3:26, "No wisdom, no fear of God; no fear of God, no wisdom. No knowledge, no discernment; no discernment, no knowledge." Before honour is humility (Proverbs 18:12). A man who fears God must be humble, and as the fear of God leads to wisdom, it may be said that humility leads to the honour and glory of being wise and reckoned among the wise (ver. 31). A man with a lowly opinion of himself will hearken to the teaching of the wise, and scrupulously obey the Law of God, and will be blessed in his ways. For "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble" (James 4:6; comp. Luke 1:52). The maxim in the second clause has a general application. "He that shall humble himself shall be exalted" (Matthew 23:12; comp. Luke 14:11; James 4:6). It is sanctioned by the example of Christ himself, the Spirit itself testifying beforehand his sufferings that were to precede his glory (1 Peter 1:11; see also Philippians 2:5, etc.). Septuagint, "The fear of the Lord is discipline and wisdom, and the beginning of glory shall answer to it." Another reading adds, "Glory goeth before the humble," which is explained to mean that the humble set before their eyes the reward that awaits their humility, and patiently endure, like Christ, "who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).