He indeed scorneth the scorners; but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
The proverb shows two ways God meets people. The attitude of the heart decides which one you meet. Older translations read the second half as "he gives grace to the lowly," and the writers below quote it that way.
Who the Scorner Is
The first half of the verse names a kind of person. What marks him out is his refusal to be corrected.
A scorner is a bolder sinner against God and his own soul. He does not like being corrected; "to the wise he will not go." Self is his aim and in practice his God, and folly is his life. So he refuses, with contempt, all wisdom from above.
There is more here than a lack of respect.
The scorner has not only no respect for what is excellent, but pretends to despise it and actively hates it.
God Answers Scorn with Scorn
The verse turns the scorner's own weapon back on him. He mocks people who will not defend themselves.
Verse 34 shows another clear contrast in God's dealings with the scornful and with the humble. How much more powerful is God's scorn toward the scornful than their scorn toward others! — especially toward believers, the humble who do not fight to protect themselves. They, being wise, shall inherit glory, but fools will inherit the shame of eternal remorse!
Scorn Is the Mood of the Age
The verse belongs to a chapter about how to walk safely through a world that is not honest. Scorn is treated as a lower evil than the ones listed before it, and one that spreads.
Yet there is an evil even lower, and never did it abound so much as now in these closing days. Scorn or mocking is common. Self reigns without shame, despising all that is good and noble and generous, as well as holy and true. But "He indeed scorns the scorners," as surely as "He gives grace to the lowly."
Carried into the New Testament Word for Word
Both James and Peter reach back to this proverb in the same words.
He also strengthens the call with a solemn warning: God sets Himself against haughty men, and gives grace to humble ones. It is the same quotation, word for word, as in James 4:6. See Prov. 3:34, and Rom. 12:16. It is a moral principle on both sides, and it runs through scripture. It is a daily lesson for every soul in the church, and no one can afford to overlook it. It is needed all the more, because the danger is close at hand. We can grow haughty through a mistaken idea of our position and duty. Then we lose the grace God is so willing to give, because we fail to cherish that lowliness which is found perfectly only in Christ.
Why Pride Shuts Grace Out
When someone goes without grace, the reason lies in the one who lacks it, not in God.
But if we do not find this grace, it is because of the pride of our own hearts, as the quotation from Proverbs 3:34 shows. Pride, of course, involves confidence in self, and God cannot encourage that. But the humble person knows how much he needs the grace of God, and God gladly answers him.
The choice is therefore not whether self will be dealt with, but by whom.
The humble man may have Satan at his right hand to oppose him; but be sure the proud man shall find God Himself there to resist him. We must either lay self aside or God will lay us aside.
The Harder the Way, the More He Gives
When James quotes the proverb, he attaches it to a promise of grace that rises to meet pressure.
No doubt the difficulties and the dangers are great for the believer here below. "But he gives more grace"; and all need it… Here it is suited to the trial, and therefore fitted to the need. "But he gives greater grace." The more severe the strain, the greater His outflow of goodness to help in time of need.
The Way Back
That leaves a plain remedy for anyone who finds God against them rather than for them.
He is always able to come in when we are humble, and work for His own name's sake. But He has no name to meet us while, in the pride of our hearts, we insist on holding a position. In that case He can only resist us… Let us get down as low as we can before God. He always keeps some part of His own name in reserve, to reveal it and meet us.
Summary
- Scorn — the scorner is a bolder sinner. He refuses correction, makes self his God, and hates what is good.
- Answered — God's scorn toward the scorners is far heavier than theirs. The humble, who never defended themselves, inherit glory.
- Cause — where grace is missing, pride is the reason. Pride is confidence in self; the humble admit they need help.
- Gift — the harder the strain, the greater God's outflow of grace. That is why James joins this proverb to "he gives more grace."
- Return — while we insist on our position, God has no name to meet us. He keeps one in reserve for everyone who gets low before Him.