I keep coming across a verse in my bible, and I can't figure out what it means...?

Question

I have asked everyone from my youth pastor, to my friends to explain this verse and no one gets it. I was wondering if anyone on here can explain it. Thanks

Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

I get the first part, but the second part is a mystery.

Answer 1

Here's what my study Bible says :

Prov 27:6

Who would prefer a friend's wounds to any enemy's kisses? Anyone who considers the source. A friend who has your best interests at heart may have to give you unpleasant advice at times, but you know it is for your own good. An enemy, by contrast, may whisper sweet words and happily send you on your way to ruin. We tend to hear what we want to hear, even if any enemy in the only one who will say it. A friend's advice, no matter how painful, is much better.

Answer 2

You can trust your friends to tell you the truth, even when it hurts--because even though you feel some pain at what they are saying, they speak out of their love and respect for you. If you want a true and faithful answer, ask a friend.

If someone is only feeding you flattery, maybe it allows you to feel good for a while, but don't trust it. They aren't doing you any favors and are like an enemy to you because deep down they don't have YOUR interests at heart, but rather their own.

If the verse keeps coming up for you, pay attention. Often when this happens it means at some level the message behind it is important to you!

Answer 3

From the KJV: Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. It's very self-explanatory. You can trust your friend, cuz he is willing to wound you (offend you if need be) in order to be a true help to you. He is willing to risk your hatred if he loves you enough to tell you the truth. However, an enemy will use deceit, phoniness, flattery, empty promises and plenty of schmoozing to try to get something FROM you. Or to give you the impression that because they are "friendly" that you can trust them. Then, when you least expect such a "nice" person to betray you or rob you, they have "softened the target" before going in for the kill.

Answer 4

Hello, I think using other translations will help you better understand this verse and others. The Living Bible says "Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy!" and the New King James says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." In other words it is better for a friend to rebuke you than for an enemy to act very kind to you when he/she is not the same behind your back. Does this help?

Answer 5

Hi, Katie!
Having got the first part, symbolically the second part also could have been comprehended in the same analogy!
In all probability, enemy pretending to be friend will shower more love and affection gaining your confidence in favour of his malice intentions to you noted in the text as 'multiple kisses', which in practical applicability is more dangerous than even the deep wound from a friend..
Hope the explanation befits to clear the mystery!

Answer 6

i have a newliving translation bible and heres what it says
who would prefer a friends wounds to an enemys kisses? Anyone who considers the sorce. A friend who hasyour best intrests at heart may have to give you unpleasent advise sometimes but you know its for your own good an enemy on the other hand may wispersweet words and send you on your way to ruin.

Answer 7

In my bible NKJ it states

Faithful are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

I hope this helps you. If you visit Bible.com and look at the different interpretations you will most likely see what it means for future reference.

Answer 8

Why Entreat a Hater’s Kisses?

THE divinely inspired wise man made this observation: “The wounds inflicted by a lover are faithful, but the kisses of a hater are things to be entreated.” (Proverbs 27:6) How are these words to be understood?

A person who loves you will inflict a figurative wound upon you in a faithful way. He may counsel you with love in his heart and in hopes of doing you good. You do not have to entreat a true friend for such help or even for reproof when you need it. And how wise you are if you graciously accept needed counsel, constructive criticism, or necessary reproof!

If you want someone who hates you to do a kind thing for you, however, you must entreat him. Why? Because his hatred would not naturally incline him to bestow kisses upon you. Rather, he would be inclined to treat you in a cruel way. Any possible kindness he would show you would be obtained from him only with considerable difficulty and much entreaty on your part.

Of interest in this regard is one of the parables of Jesus Christ. He once spoke of a widow who got justice from a judge who had no fear of God or respect for man. How did she succeed? The judge saw to it that the woman got the relief she deserved only because she kept on entreating him. Jesus used this illustration to impress his disciples with “the need for them always to pray and not to give up.”—Luke 18:1-8.

Answer 9

the first part means that a friend can hurt you but no matter what they're still your friend. the second part means that an enemy will trick you into being their friend by trying to be nice to you and increase the amount of times he is doing that and then will someday put you into a trap that only friends can get you out of.

Answer 10

It merely means:

"You can trust a friend

who corrects you,

but kisses from an enemy

are nothing but lies. "

...according to the Contemporary English Version of the Bible. You are reading the New International Version.

Peace be with you!