Proverbs 27 · Verse 5

Proverbs 27:5

Open rebuke is better than secret love.
Proverbs 27:5, King James Version

Proverbs 27:5 in other translations

BSBBetter an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
WEBBetter is open rebuke than hidden love.
ASVBetter is open rebuke Than love that is hidden.
YLTBetter is open reproof than hidden love.
DARBYOpen rebuke is better than hidden love.
BBEBetter is open protest than love kept secret.
WebsterOpen rebuke is better than secret love.

What does Proverbs 27:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 27:5-6
5-6. secret love--not manifested in acts is useless; and even, if its exhibition by rebukes wounds us, such love is preferable to the frequent (compare Margin), and hence deceitful, kisses of an enemy.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 Open rebuke is better than secret love - Plutarch gives an account of a man who, aiming a blow at his enemy's life, cut open an imposthume, which by a salutary discharge saved his life, that was sinking under a disease for which a remedy could not be found. Partial friendship covers faults; envy, malice, and revenge, will exhibit, heighten, and even multiply them. The former conceals us from ourselves; the latter shows us the worst part of our character. Thus we are taught the necessity of amendment and correction. In this sense open rebuke is better than secret love. Yet it is a rough medicine, and none can desire it. But the genuine open-hearted friend may be intended, who tells you your faults freely but conceals them from all others; hence the sixth verse: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend."

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 27:5-6
Plain and faithful rebukes are better, not only than secret hatred, but than love which compliments in sin, to the hurt of the soul.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 27:5 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ט֭וֹבָהToah[is] goodH2896
תּוֹכַ֣חַתto.Kha.chatrebukeH8433
מְגֻלָּ֑הme.gu.LahuncoveredH1540
מֵֽאַהֲבָ֥הme.'a.ha.Vahmore than loveH160
מְסֻתָּֽרֶת\׃me.su.Ta.rethiddenH5641

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 27:5

  • Proverbs 28:23

    He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

  • 1 Timothy 5:20

    Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

  • Galatians 2:14

    But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

  • Matthew 18:15

    Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

  • Leviticus 19:17

    Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
28:23; Le 19:17; Mt 18:15; Ga 2:14; 1Ti 5:20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 27:4

    Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

  • Proverbs 27:5

    Open rebuke is better than secret love.

  • Proverbs 27:6

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

Read all of Proverbs 27

Proverbs 27:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mejor es reprensión manifiesta que amor oculto.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mieux vaut une réprimande ouverte qu’un amour caché.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Besser offener Tadel als verhehlte Liebe.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Melior est manifesta correptio quam amor absconditus.