Sirach 18:21 - Humble yourself before you be sick; And in the time of sins show repentance.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Sirach 18:21" mean?
This verse from Sirach 18:21 essentially advises preventative measures, urging humility and repentance before suffering consequences (sickness and other troubles) from a life of sin. Let's break it down:
"Humble yourself before you be sick...": This speaks to pride as a root cause of many problems. "Humble yourself" means to acknowledge your limitations, your need for God, and your susceptibility to error. The verse suggests that humbling oneself before sickness strikes can actually avert it. This might be understood literally (by practicing healthy habits and moderation) or metaphorically (by recognizing the physical and mental toll that a proud and reckless life can take). A person who is humble is less likely to indulge in excess or risky behaviors.
"And in the time of sins show repentance.": This part emphasizes taking responsibility for one's actions. "Repentance" is more than just feeling sorry; it involves acknowledging your sins, turning away from them, and seeking forgiveness. The verse urges you to repent while you are still sinning, not after the consequences of your actions catch up to you. It's a call to immediate change, rather than procrastination in spiritual matters. It's better to correct your course now than to wait until you are in deep trouble.
In essence, the verse encourages:
Proactive humility: Recognize your limitations and act accordingly. Don't let pride lead you into harmful situations.
Immediate repentance: Don't delay in acknowledging and turning away from your sins. Change your behavior now, rather than waiting for a crisis to force you to do so.
The underlying message is about wisdom and foresight: It is far wiser to avoid problems and seek reconciliation with God before calamity strikes. Humility and repentance are preventative measures that can save you from much suffering. Waiting until you are already suffering the consequences of your actions makes the process of healing and restoration much more difficult.
Sirach 18:21 - Humble yourself before you be sick; And in the time of sins show repentance.
What does "Sirach 18:21" mean?
This verse from Sirach 18:21 essentially advises preventative measures, urging humility and repentance before suffering consequences (sickness and other troubles) from a life of sin. Let's break it down:
"Humble yourself before you be sick...": This speaks to pride as a root cause of many problems. "Humble yourself" means to acknowledge your limitations, your need for God, and your susceptibility to error. The verse suggests that humbling oneself before sickness strikes can actually avert it. This might be understood literally (by practicing healthy habits and moderation) or metaphorically (by recognizing the physical and mental toll that a proud and reckless life can take). A person who is humble is less likely to indulge in excess or risky behaviors.
"And in the time of sins show repentance.": This part emphasizes taking responsibility for one's actions. "Repentance" is more than just feeling sorry; it involves acknowledging your sins, turning away from them, and seeking forgiveness. The verse urges you to repent while you are still sinning, not after the consequences of your actions catch up to you. It's a call to immediate change, rather than procrastination in spiritual matters. It's better to correct your course now than to wait until you are in deep trouble.
In essence, the verse encourages:
Proactive humility: Recognize your limitations and act accordingly. Don't let pride lead you into harmful situations.
Immediate repentance: Don't delay in acknowledging and turning away from your sins. Change your behavior now, rather than waiting for a crisis to force you to do so.
The underlying message is about wisdom and foresight: It is far wiser to avoid problems and seek reconciliation with God before calamity strikes. Humility and repentance are preventative measures that can save you from much suffering. Waiting until you are already suffering the consequences of your actions makes the process of healing and restoration much more difficult.