Sirach 6:17 - He that fears the Lord directs his friendship aright; For as he is, so is his neighbor also.
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What does "Sirach 6:17" mean?
Sirach 6:17, "He that fears the Lord directs his friendship aright; For as he is, so is his neighbor also," is packed with meaning about the nature of friendship and its connection to faith. Let's break it down:
"He that fears the Lord..." This doesn't mean being afraid of God in a terror-stricken way. "Fear of the Lord" in the Old Testament context often signifies reverence, respect, and awe for God. It means acknowledging God's authority, living according to His principles, and striving to do what is right in His eyes. It's about having a deep and committed faith.
"...directs his friendship aright..." This means that someone who reveres God will choose their friends wisely and maintain their friendships in a virtuous and beneficial way. They won't be reckless or frivolous with their friendships. They'll understand the importance of good companionship. This implies:
Wise Choice: They'll seek out friends who are also morally upright and share their values.
Proper Maintenance: They'll nurture their friendships with honesty, loyalty, and support.
Good Influence: They will be good friends themselves, providing positive influence and encouragement.
"...For as he is, so is his neighbor also." This is the core of the verse and it can be understood in a couple of interconnected ways:
Mirroring Virtue: A person who fears the Lord, meaning someone who is righteous and virtuous, tends to attract and associate with people who are similar. Good people are drawn to other good people. Their character attracts like-minded individuals.
Impact of Character: The person's own character will influence those around them. Being a God-fearing, virtuous individual will have a positive impact on their friends. They can be a good example and encourage their friends to also strive for righteousness. In essence, you tend to attract people who are like you, and you also influence the people around you to become more like you.
In summary, Sirach 6:17 suggests:
A person with a strong and reverent faith will approach friendship with wisdom and integrity.
Good character attracts good company; people tend to associate with those who share similar values.
Our own character influences our friends; we can have a positive impact on those around us by living a righteous life.
The verse emphasizes the importance of choosing friends who share your values and the power of positive influence within relationships.
Therefore, this verse serves as a guideline for building and maintaining meaningful, virtuous, and supportive friendships rooted in shared values and a respect for a higher power.
Sirach 6:17 - He that fears the Lord directs his friendship aright; For as he is, so is his neighbor also.
What does "Sirach 6:17" mean?
Sirach 6:17, "He that fears the Lord directs his friendship aright; For as he is, so is his neighbor also," is packed with meaning about the nature of friendship and its connection to faith. Let's break it down:
"He that fears the Lord..." This doesn't mean being afraid of God in a terror-stricken way. "Fear of the Lord" in the Old Testament context often signifies reverence, respect, and awe for God. It means acknowledging God's authority, living according to His principles, and striving to do what is right in His eyes. It's about having a deep and committed faith.
"...directs his friendship aright..." This means that someone who reveres God will choose their friends wisely and maintain their friendships in a virtuous and beneficial way. They won't be reckless or frivolous with their friendships. They'll understand the importance of good companionship. This implies:
Wise Choice: They'll seek out friends who are also morally upright and share their values.
Proper Maintenance: They'll nurture their friendships with honesty, loyalty, and support.
Good Influence: They will be good friends themselves, providing positive influence and encouragement.
"...For as he is, so is his neighbor also." This is the core of the verse and it can be understood in a couple of interconnected ways:
Mirroring Virtue: A person who fears the Lord, meaning someone who is righteous and virtuous, tends to attract and associate with people who are similar. Good people are drawn to other good people. Their character attracts like-minded individuals.
Impact of Character: The person's own character will influence those around them. Being a God-fearing, virtuous individual will have a positive impact on their friends. They can be a good example and encourage their friends to also strive for righteousness. In essence, you tend to attract people who are like you, and you also influence the people around you to become more like you.
In summary, Sirach 6:17 suggests:
A person with a strong and reverent faith will approach friendship with wisdom and integrity.
Good character attracts good company; people tend to associate with those who share similar values.
Our own character influences our friends; we can have a positive impact on those around us by living a righteous life.
The verse emphasizes the importance of choosing friends who share your values and the power of positive influence within relationships.
Therefore, this verse serves as a guideline for building and maintaining meaningful, virtuous, and supportive friendships rooted in shared values and a respect for a higher power.