Everything You Need to Know for Preaching Proverbs

Preaching the book of Proverbs presents unique opportunities and challenges. Often seen as a sort of Israelite “Dear Abby” life advice column, scholars can find it difficult to connect its seemingly random wisdom or practical tips to the metanarrative of the Bible and to the gospel of Christ. Some preachers gravitate to the book because they want sermons full of practical application. Others, particularly expositors and gospel-centered preachers, are not quite sure what to do with it.

However, the wisdom of Proverbs has endured throughout the generations and become a beloved book of the Bible.

How can a preacher faithfully preach this book, which has been breathed out by God, in such a way that our congregations are “made wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ” and thoroughly “equipped for every good work” (cf. 2 Tim 3:15–17)? This article intends to help you do just that!

Why is the book of Proverbs important for pastors & preaching?

Pastors and church leaders are constantly asked how to navigate the complexities of daily life. Their congregants know what is expected of them on the weekends (and perhaps on Wednesdays), but what about Monday through Friday? What does God expect of me at work? How should I handle my money, my mouth, my relationships, my emotions? These are not secular concerns. They are central to living the life that pleases God.

Proverbs directly addresses these questions and many more. It fleshes out what the life that pleases God looks like in every (or at least several of the most critical) domain. One of Proverbs’s most unique contributions is that it gets rid of the notion of a sacred/secular divide. It shows that God is intimately concerned with every nook and cranny of our lives—from our work ethic and finances to our parenting and social interactions. God has expectations for the most mundane areas of life.

As sinners living in a world broken by sin, we desperately need God’s wisdom to skillfully navigate life. Proverbs provides this wisdom, equipping us to read situations, discern right from wrong, and make the best decisions. Without it, our foolishness leads us to choose what is right in our own eyes, just as humanity has done since the beginning (Gen 3; Prov 14:12; Judg 17:6).

As sinners living in a world broken by sin, we desperately need God’s wisdom to skillfully navigate life. Proverbs provides this wisdom.

Proverbs helps us deal with the fundamental issue of our sinful nature, which prevents us from obeying God’s standards on our own. By revealing the ethical standard of God and our inability to meet it, Proverbs exposes our need for a Savior. In this way, it makes us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus and molds us into his image.

Preaching Proverbs also means equipping people with wisdom for practical, daily living. What would it look like for Jesus Christ to live in our world, day in, day out? Proverbs presents that picture.

Preaching Proverbs is vital because it addresses the whole person—the heart, daily actions, relationships, and our eternal destiny, all in light of God’s wisdom and the need for Christ.

Who wrote Proverbs?

Solomon is the main author of and influence on the book of Proverbs. The book begins with the phrase, “the Proverbs of Solomon, the Son of David, the King of Israel” (Prov 1:1). This immediately establishes Solomon as the primary author and connects the book to the royal line of Israel and the messianic title, “the Son of David.”

In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asks God for wisdom to rule God’s people justly and to have the ability to discern between good and evil. God was pleased with this request and made Solomon the wisest man in the ancient Near East. As a result of this divine gift, Solomon spoke many proverbs—three thousand, according to 1 Kings 4:32. Thus, it is no surprise that he is the fountainhead of Israelite wisdom literature, including the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs attributes several sections to Solomon:

1. The prologue (1:1–9:18)
2. Solomon Collection 1 (10:1–22:16)
3. Solomon Collection 2, collected by King Hezekiah’s men (25:1–29:27)

While Solomon is the primary author, the book itself mentions other authors, though we are not sure who these men were. Proverbs 30 was written by Agur, and Proverbs 31 was written by King Lemuel. There are collections from other sages, as well. While Solomon was the main influence for the book, Proverbs is a collection compiled from various sources over time.

How is the structure of Proverbs different from other wisdom literature in the Bible?

The book of Proverbs has an evident structure. While other wisdom books like Job or Ecclesiastes might be arranged more according to a narrative or philosophical investigations, Proverbs is structured primarily as a collection of wisdom teachings and sayings. However, the collection is not entirely random and does seem to have an intentional purpose.

Proverbs’ sevenfold division

There is a sevenfold division to Proverbs, which makes sense because Proverbs 9 indicates that when Wisdom built her house she did so using “seven pillars” (9:1). Seven often refers to perfection or completeness in the Bible, so this speaks to the perfect wisdom of God taught in Proverbs.

1. The Introduction (1:1—9:18)
2. The Proverbs of Solomon Collection 1 (10:1—22:16)
3. The Words of the Wise (22:17—24:22)
4. Words Also Belonging to the Wise; Further Sayings (24:23–34)
5. The Proverbs of Solomon Collection 2, copied by King Hezekiah’s Men (25:1—29:27)
6. The Words of Agur (30:1–33)
7. The Words of King Lemuel (31:1–31)

Proverbs’s introduction

Beyond these collections, Proverbs can be separated into two main parts:

1. An extended introduction (chs. 1–9)
2. The proverbs proper (chs. 10–31)

The introduction consists of extended discourses, primarily from a father (Solomon) to his son. This section sets the stage and provides the framework for interpreting the rest of the book.

The father seeks to influence his son but faces competitors for the son’s attention: a gang of peers (cf. 1:8–19) and the strange woman (cf. 2:16–22; 5:1–23; 7:1–27). The choice of who to listen to is a matter of life and death. One path leads to wisdom and life; another path leads to folly and death.

Wisdom is personified as a beautiful and powerful Woman (1:20–33; 8:1–36; 9:1–12) that represents not just the wisdom of the book but ultimately the wisdom of God that created the world. Folly is personified as an alluring adulteress who mirrors the strange woman (9:13–18). One must choose between these women, and that choice will make all the difference in whether you are wise or foolish.

The proverbs proper of Proverbs

In contrast, the “proverbs proper” (chs. 10–31) are mostly dominated by the short, pithy, one-or-two-line sayings that people most commonly associate with the word “proverb.” While at a glance these might seem randomly collected, the extended teachings of chapters 1–9 have set up the framework for understanding and applying them.

In addition, the seeming “randomness” of chapters 10–31 can also be understood in light of the connection between the wisdom literature and the Law (Deut 4:6). Proverbs is a fleshing out of the Law into every nook and cranny of life. Deuteronomy 6 commanded parents to teach their children the Law when they get up, when they go throughout their day, and when they lie down. That necessitates addressing a variety of issues as teachable moments arise, rather than structured, sequential lectures. This structure equips the reader to deal with the myriad of topics encountered in daily life at any given moment.

The drama of Proverbs

Finally, there seems to be a dramatic structure to the book.¹ The father wants his son to move from being a young naïve prince at the beginning to a wise, well-married king by the end. In chapters 1–9, he wants his son to marry Wisdom instead of Folly. At the end of the book, it seems he has married well, choosing Wisdom as his queen (symbolized by the poem of the noble wife in Prov 31). Chapters 10–29 provide the strategy to progress from point A to point B. This movement progresses from elementary wisdom (1–9, 10–15) toward a manual for future kings (28–29). Solomon trains his son to be the messianic king that Israel (and we) need. The structure of Proverbs sets up that progression.

Use Logos’s Passage Guide to launch your study of various sections of Proverbs.

What cultural or historical considerations should preachers keep in mind when teaching Proverbs?

The challenge to preachers approaching Proverbs is that many resources try to compare it with the wisdom literature of the ancient Near East and disconnect it from the storyline of the Bible. But to preach Proverbs effectively, it’s essential to understand its original context, which is deeply rooted in the history and covenant life of Israel, particularly the Davidic monarchy.

1. Proverbs as kingly wisdom

First, Proverbs is tied to the royal line of David (1:1). The entire book is presented as the instructions of a king-father to his prince-son in order to train him in wisdom so that he will grow to become a successful king.

According to Deuteronomy 17, the king was required to write down a copy of the Law and learn to follow it to establish his dynasty. Wisdom is connected both to the Law (Deut 4:6) and to ruling (1 Kgs 3). Proverbs is Solomon observing Deuteronomy 6 (teaching his son the Law) for the purpose of Deuteronomy 17.² Solomon attempts to train his son to be the ideal king. The king’s role as God’s human counterpart upholding justice is particularly highlighted (cf. Prov 16:10–15).

2. Proverbs as redemptive-historical

Second, Proverbs connects to the overarching narrative of the Bible.

It says what was lost in Eden (access to the Tree of Life, a homeland, and the knowledge of good and evil) is now available through the wisdom of Proverbs. It relates to the Abrahamic covenant that promised offspring who would become kings, security in the land (cf. Prov 2:21–22), and blessing (cf. Gen 12:1–3; 17:6). And it especially relates to the covenant with David, promising an eternal dynasty (cf. Prov 29:14). The security of this dynasty and the nation in the promised land was contingent upon faithfulness to the Law as it is fleshed out in wisdom.

However, the failure of David’s sons presented in the historical narrative, including Solomon himself (who fell for “strange” women), to live out this wisdom perfectly led to the division of the kingdom and eventual exile, and created a hope for a future Son of David, a Messiah who would live out the wisdom of Proverbs and establish an eternal kingdom. The final form of Proverbs is at least as late as Hezekiah’s reign, and Isaiah wrote his prophecy during the reign of four kings, one of whom was Hezekiah. Isaiah prophesies of a future Messiah in chapter 11 and describes him as the embodiment of the wisdom of Proverbs. Preachers should understand that Proverbs contributes to this messianic hope by painting a picture of this ideal king.

Proverbs contributes to this messianic hope by painting a picture of this ideal king.

3. Proverbs as rooted in creation

Third, Proverbs is rooted in the creation order.

God created the world by means of his wisdom (Prov 3:19–20). Therefore, the world is patterned after God’s wisdom and works in a certain way. Proverbs observes this creation order and draws principles for life from it, using illustrations from nature like ants, dogs, and birds.

Preaching Proverbs involves understanding this divine design woven into the fabric of the cosmos and how wise living aligns with it.

4. Proverbs as culturally shaped

Finally, Proverbs reflects the cultural context of ancient Israel, including expectations for different types of roles. Portions of the book address rulers, court officials, judges, buyers and sellers, families, and neighbors, and how they should conduct themselves. Understanding these roles helps interpret specific proverbs.

The preacher must understand how Proverbs connects with the rest of the Bible (the promises to David, the covenant/Law framework, and the creation order) to rightly interpret it and offer the sagacious advice to their hearers that Proverbs actually calls forth.

What are the major themes in Proverbs that should be emphasized in sermons?

By focusing on these major themes and showing how they are embodied and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, preachers can provide their congregations with a rich and applicable understanding of Proverbs.

1. Wisdom vs. foolishness

This is the central message of the book. Define wisdom (not just intellect, but fearing God and living according to his design) and contrast it with foolishness (rejecting God’s ways, choosing one’s own path). They are presented as diverging paths to walk, as well as potential spouses we must choose between.

2. The fear of the Lord

The key component of wisdom is a proper relationship with God.

3. The heart

As the command center of life, the heart’s condition determines one’s path. Emphasize the need for the “law” (wisdom) to be written on the heart, pointing to the need for inward transformation through Christ.

4. Consequences

Choices have consequences—life for wisdom, death for folly, both immediate and ultimate.

5. The creation order

God built the world by wisdom, and it works according to his design. Wise living aligns with this design, which is ultimately personal—knowing Christ.

6. Relationships

Cover themes like friendship (e.g., true friends give rebuke), family (e.g., parenting, marriage), and societal justice (e.g., rightly treating the poor).

7. Speech

Address the power of the tongue, the wisdom of listening, avoiding harmful words, and knowing when/how to speak.

8. Work & wealth

Proverbs frequently addresses hard work, stewardship, the danger of riches, generosity, and contentment.

9. Humility vs. pride

Humility is essential for receiving wisdom; pride is the essence of foolishness.

Use Logos’s Smart Search to find answers and resources for your sermon prep.

What are the key verses & passages to highlight when preaching from Proverbs?

While a comprehensive list would be extensive, several verses and passages are foundational:

• Proverbs 1:1–7: The opening verses establish the source, purpose, and the primary principle of wisdom; namely, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
• Proverbs 1:20–33 and chs. 8–9: These passages personify Solomon’s wisdom, and ultimately God’s wisdom, as a powerful person to embrace in order to be wise. They also provide a clear contrast with the personification of foolishness and highlight the life-and-death consequences of the choice.
• Proverbs 3:5–7: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding … Be not wise in your own eyes.” This powerfully captures the need to trust God and his Word over the way that seems right to us.
• Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” This key verse emphasizes the centrality of the heart as the source of all behavior and the need for internal change.
• Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” These verses highlight the deceptive nature of human wisdom and the destructive path of foolishness.
• Proverbs 30:1–5 and 31:1–9: These verses present the future hope for a son that comes down from heaven, fulfills the promises to David, and reigns in justice.

These verses are good starting points for understanding the key themes of the book and connecting them to Jesus.

Are Proverbs promises or general principles?

This question is hotly debated. Many, if not most, scholars suggest that Proverbs is simply an anthology of general truths or principles that usually work out but don’t always. For example, yes, you should train up a child in the way he or she should go, and in the end, they won’t depart from it … usually (cf. Prov 22:6)! But that is not always the case. In fact, Solomon presumably addressed his proverbs to his son and successor, Rehoboam, who (in)famously disregarded the preamble (see 1:8–19) and heeded the advice of his gang of young peers over that of his elders.

However, in contrast, I believe that the Proverbs are promises,³ but they are not always realized immediately in a fallen world. There is a crisis of experience that godly people have when they suffer while the wicked prosper. While Ecclesiastes and Job wrestle with this problem more extensively, Proverbs does address it some, especially in the so-called “Better than” proverbs that modify conventional wisdom (e.g., Prov 15:16–17; 16:8, 19; 17:1).

Proverbs does, nevertheless, present its wisdom with confidence. Rewards for wisdom and consequences for foolishness will work out in the end (what scholars call the “retribution principle”). The immediate consequences we experience in this life are merely a foretaste of the ultimate consequences. Living foolishly will wreck your life both now and forever, while living wisely leads to abundant and eternal life.

Again, the resolution to this tension is to be found in Jesus Christ. He is the obedient Son of Proverbs who lived perfectly in wisdom. Then, he took the judgment fools deserve despite not being a fool himself. He was laid in the grave, but that was not the final result. He was raised from the dead and experienced the blessings of covenant faithfulness. He shares those with his followers.

Therefore, even if the promises don’t work out immediately in this life, we must maintain an eternal perspective, knowing that they are always ultimately true in the New Creation for those united to Christ by faith.

The immediate consequences we experience in this life are merely a foretaste of the ultimate consequences.

So, when preaching Proverbs, affirm that its statements are reliable promises from God. However, explain that their full and guaranteed fulfillment is tied to Christ and will be realized ultimately, not necessarily immediately, for believers. This avoids both reducing Proverbs to mere principles and promoting a false prosperity gospel (more on this below).

Should Proverbs be preached topically or verse by verse?

I suggest the preacher adopt a hybrid approach to the book. Verse-by-verse exposition is possible in many sections of the book (e.g., 1:1–9:18; 15:30–16:15; 24:23–34; 30:1–33; 31:1–31). For example, the extended discourses in the introduction are tailor-made for verse-by-verse preaching.

But one should not feel forced to preach standard exposition in much of chapters 10–31. While some argue for textual units in this section that lend themselves to exposition, preaching every single verse individually might become tedious. A thematic approach surveys the relevant verses on themes like the use of words, money, work ethic, relationships, and other topics, and exposes how the book unfolds the theme, which allows the preacher to expound Proverbs’s wise teaching on a particular topic.⁴

One might also consider sermons on a single verse or pair of verses that are commonly known, such as “train up a child” (22:6), don’t answer/do answer a fool (26:4–5), and “as a dog returns to its vomit” (26:11).

Use Logos’s Proverbs Explorer to find for proverbs on different themes.

What challenges arise when preaching Proverbs? What mistakes should pastors avoid?

Proverbs presents unique challenges for the preacher that other books of the Bible do not.

Some preachers think the book lends itself to practical application over complex theology. This causes some to fall for the temptation to preach Proverbs as homespun wisdom disconnected from the gospel. Plus, many expositors aren’t quite sure what to do with chapters 10–31 (see above).

Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

1. Preaching moralism

The most dangerous mistake is preaching Proverbs in a way that leads to Christ-less moralism. Focusing solely on behavior modification (“do this and you’ll be blessed”) without addressing the heart or the need for Christ is damning.

People already know what they should do (e.g., speak kindly to their spouse), but they lack the ability to do it due to their sin nature. Moralism only addresses the symptom (behavior) and not the source (the heart). Preaching Proverbs in a way that can create Pharisees is a common mistake.

2. Preaching a prosperity gospel

Closely linked to moralism is the risk of promoting a prosperity gospel (thinking obedience guarantees health, wealth, and happiness). Proverbs does, at times, connect wisdom to blessing and folly to negative consequences, but these are not always immediate in a fallen world. But the main problem with this approach is that it avoids Jesus, the wise one who inherits the blessing!

3. Preaching that treats wisdom as intelligence

Don’t imply that wisdom amounts to having a high IQ or learning facts. True wisdom is a gift that starts with a relationship with God and requires his enabling power to view the world the way he does.

4. Preaching that neglects Jesus

Proverbs points to Jesus. Any preaching from Proverbs that doesn’t lead the hearers to Jesus is deficient. You might tell people to be better mates, friends, and workers, but unless you preach Christ, you don’t give them the fuel to do it or the forgiveness for when they don’t.

How does preaching Christ in Proverbs help us avoid common mistakes?

The key to avoiding each of these mistakes is a Christ-centered approach to preaching the book. This means:

1. Preaching for heart change

Proverbs 4:23 indicates that the heart is the command center for our lives, so our sermons should aim at the motives and desires of the heart.

Show how the gospel addresses the deep heart issues of sin, folly, wisdom, and righteousness, and provides inward-out transformation.

2. Preaching Christ as the standard & fulfillment of wisdom

Jesus is the only one who perfectly lived out the standard revealed in Proverbs. Our failure to meet the standard exposes our need for him.

Follow this structure in your sermons:

1. Explain wisdom’s standard.
2. Show our failure to meet it.
3. Proclaim Jesus’s perfect obedience and sacrificial death for the forgiveness of our folly and the imputation of his wisdom (cf. 1 Cor 1:30).
4. Teach that transformation into his wise image is empowered by his Spirit.

3. Preaching Jesus as the Wisdom of God, embodied

Teach that wisdom is not just a set of ideas or tips, but fundamentally a person to know—Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Cor 1:24). A relationship with him is the key to walking in wisdom (cf. Prov 1:7). Failure to live wisely reveals a problem in our relationship with Jesus.

Preaching Christ-centered, heart-focused messages that understand the purpose of Proverbs can help pastors avoid common pitfalls and offer life-changing sermons to their people.

How do we preach Proverbs in a Christ-centered way?

There are two main ways to preach Christ from Proverbs.

1. He is the “son” who lives out the wisdom of the book
2. He is “Wisdom”

1. Jesus fulfills the ideal king trained on Proverbs’s wisdom

Jesus is the ideal son (the crown prince) being trained in Proverbs who perfectly embodies its wisdom and sets up a kingdom that will last forever. He is the king-sage greater than Solomon, or any other Davidic descendent, who chooses Wisdom as his bride.

Remember, Proverbs 1–9 is Solomon attempting to get the young, naïve prince to choose Wisdom as his bride and to become the wise, well-married king by the book’s end.⁵

The problem is that the son from the beginning of the book fails to heed the father’s warnings about the “strange” woman (just as Solomon himself failed with “strange” women; cf. 1 Kgs 11:1). After all, in Proverbs 9 he passes by Wisdom’s house and moves on towards Folly’s house. At the end of the book, a prophetic oracle is given (30:1) where the son confesses that he is “too stupid to be a man” (30:2) and has not obtained “knowledge of the Holy One” (30:3). The phrase “knowledge of the Holy One” is only used in Proverbs one other time in 9:10, where Wisdom is personified as a woman. This shows the son has not chosen Wisdom as his queen.

Proverbs 30 concludes by saying that the only hope is for a son to come down out of heaven (30:4). Who has done this? What is his son’s name (30:4)?

Proverbs then ends with a prophetic oracle looking to a future king who chooses Wisdom as his bride and fulfills the wisdom of the book. King Lemuel’s mother calls him “my son” in Aramaic (31:2). “My son” is only used in Aramaic elsewhere in the Old Testament in Psalm 2:7, in reference to the messianic king. The king of Proverbs 31 avoids the foreign women, reigns in justice, and selects Wisdom as his queen (31:10–31).

So, we preach Christ from Proverbs as the fulfillment of this training manual for kings. Why? Because the New Testament says that we are interns in training to be the future kings and queens of the universe who reign with Christ. But, like this training manual tells us, to be good kings and queens we first must be good children, spouses, parents, friends, and neighbors. For that we need the Son Proverbs points to, Jesus Christ.

2. Jesus fulfills the personification of Proverbs’s wisdom

Secondly, the personification of Wisdom in Proverbs points ultimately to Jesus (1 Cor 1:24, 30).

He is the one we must embrace to become wise. We cannot be wise apart from a relationship with Jesus, who is God’s Wisdom for us. Where we are not walking in wisdom, it shows a problem in our relationship with Jesus.

At the end of the introduction to Proverbs, the reader is given a choice between two ladies who live at two temples on the high places (Prov 9:1–18). That choice will determine whether they walk in wisdom or foolishness. Wisdom stands for God and Folly stands for idols. Who you choose to worship determines how you live.⁶

By consistently pointing to Jesus—as the pattern, the standard, the fulfillment, the source of transformation, and the very embodiment of Wisdom—you can preach Proverbs in a way that is faithful to its message and powerful for salvation and sanctification.

Plan and write your sermons in Logos using Sermon Builder and Sermon Manager.

What role does the Holy Spirit play in interpreting & preaching Proverbs?

Consider the following related truths.

1. The Holy Spirit is the author of Proverbs & its wisdom

First, the wisdom of Proverbs is more than human insight. It is divinely inspired (2 Tim 3:16). Solomon’s wisdom was a gift from God (cf. 1 Kgs 3:9), and ultimately represents God’s wisdom (cf. Prov 8:22–31). The Spirit that brooded over the creation (Gen 1:2; cf. Prov 3:19–20) and that empowered the builders of the tabernacle and the temple (see Exod 31:3) also is responsible for this book, Wisdom’s seven-pillared temple (see Prov 9:1).

2. The Holy Spirit is necessary for practicing wisdom

Second, Wisdom promises to pour out the Spirit on those who listen to her (Prov 1:23). This promise links with the prophetic hope of God pouring his Spirit on his followers (e.g., Ezek 36).

Therefore, the Spirit is essential not only for understanding the wisdom of Proverbs, but for living it out in daily life. The prophesied Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, was anointed with the Spirit of wisdom, knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord (see Isa 11). Those united to Christ by faith are indwelt by the same Spirit. This is the power that conforms believers into the wise image of Jesus. One cannot walk in wisdom otherwise.

Thus, the pastor cannot interpret or preach Proverbs rightly without understanding the role of the Spirit in Proverbs. In connection to Jesus, the Spirit gives the gift of wisdom, produces change at the heart-level, and transforms Christ-followers into those who walk in wisdom.

How can the advice in Proverbs be applied to modern-day church life?

The book of Proverbs has relevance for our churches.

For church leaders

For church leaders, Proverbs offers wisdom for governance and discernment. By highlighting the king’s responsibility to lead, uphold justice, and read people and situations rightly, it shows under-shepherds how the Great Shepherd pastors his people. It also emphasizes the need to receive counsel, show humility, and work hard.

For church members

For church members, Proverbs gives the model for living a life that pleases God in all circumstances.

• Personal piety: The fear of the Lord is the foundation to wise living. One must trust God, not self.
• Relationships: Proverbs gives the principles needed for avoiding bad company, living in accountable community, dealing with conflict, and maintaining healthy relationships with family and friends.
• Work and finances: Proverbs commends hard work and condemns laziness. It urges earning money rightly, saving it wisely, giving it generously, and being content.
• Speech: Proverbs knows that life and death are in the power of the tongue, so it teaches church members how to use their words to build up rather than tear down. And it encourages listening before speaking.

What books are essential for studying Proverbs & preparing to preach it?

The resources on Proverbs are numerous, and many are wonderful contributions, but there are a few works that seem particularly helpful. These range from comprehensive scholarly works to more accessible guides focused on Christ-centered interpretation.

Bruce Waltke, Proverbs (NICOT), 2 vols.

For the most comprehensive and scholarly treatment, Bruce Waltke’s two-volume commentary in the NICOT series is highly recommended. Waltke’s work is particularly helpful if you’re aiming for a completely expository approach, as he argues for textual unity in Proverbs rather than random eclecticism.

Tremper Longman III, Proverbs (BCOTWP)

The best “bang for your buck” commentary for preaching Proverbs is Tremper Longman’s one-volume commentary in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament and Psalms series. It combines scholarly, theological, and pastoral insights in a concise volume. The topical appendix, which summarizes the main themes in Proverbs and lists relevant verses, is a gold mine for preachers.

Graeme Goldsworthy, Proverbs: The Tree of Life (Reading the Bible Today)

If your primary goal is a Christ-centered approach to Proverbs, Graeme Goldsworthy’s commentary is considered the best. While not a thorough verse-by-verse treatment, it provides the framework and tools needed for a Christocentric approach to the book.

Andrew E. Steinmann, Proverbs: A Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture (Concordia Commentary)

Steinmann also utilizes a Christ-centered approach in the Concordia series, though this volume is larger and more expensive.

Additional commentaries

Other helpful commentaries known for their readability and accessibility include

• Duane Garrett in New American Commentary (NAC)
• Roland Murphy in New International Biblical Commentary (NIBC)
• Derek Kidner in Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (TOTC)

Other useful books and resources:

• Tremper Longman’s How to Read Proverbs provides a great overview of how to approach the book and how it points to Christ.
• Bruce Waltke’s audio lectures, “Fundamentals for Preaching Proverbs” at DTS, are a very helpful introduction, especially for those pursuing a strict expository approach.
• Peter Leithart’s Wise Words presents the message of Proverbs as fairy-tale-like stories, making it a great resource for parents.
• Graeme Goldsworthy’s Gospel and Wisdom offers another gospel-centered approach.
• Russell Moore’s audio “Walking the Line” is a good Christocentric presentation of Proverbs.
• Jimmy Scroggins’s video “3 Circles” provides a gospel framework that can be useful for structuring sermons from Proverbs.

Having these resources on hand will significantly aid preachers in understanding the depth, structure, context, and Christological connections within Proverbs.

Conclusion

Preaching Proverbs is about far more than giving life hacks. It provides an opportunity to rid people of the notion of a sacred/secular divide and shows how God’s wisdom works down into every nook and cranny of our lives, flowing out of our relationship with him. Ultimately, it’s an opportunity to preach the fulfillment of Proverbs in Jesus who enables us to walk in wisdom.

May God empower you by his Spirit to preach Proverbs with faithfulness, insight, and Christ-centered clarity, equipping your people to live lives that skillfully navigate this fallen world and ultimately please the God who is the source of all wisdom.

Jonathan Akin’s suggested books for preaching Proverbs

Related articles

• What Is the Meaning of “Vanity” in Ecclesiastes?
• Is the Song Allegorical? | Fellipe do Vale on Song of Solomon
• What Is Christian Ethics? How Scripture Shapes Our Moral Lives
• Top Preaching Tools & Resources That Belong in a Pastor’s Library
• Preaching the Ten Commandments? 8 Things to Keep in Mind