She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not equal unto her.
Komentarz do tego wersetu
The Setting
Proverbs 3:15 declares of wisdom, "She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared unto her." The verse stands at the heart of a passage where Solomon weighs the true value of divine wisdom against every earthly treasure — a weighing which, in fuller New Testament light, points us straight to Christ Himself.
Wisdom Compared to Earthly Treasure
The inspired writer deliberately measures wisdom against the most valuable things men know, and finds nothing in nature that can match her worth.
J. N. DarbyIn verses 14, 15, He compares her to earthly treasures, yet blessing even in this world accompanies it; but more than outward blessing: it is a path of quietness and peace of spirit, cheerfulness of heart, because there is nothing on the conscience, and the heart is able to enjoy; no unsatisfied desires, but free affections; no restless will, but the sense of divine favour.
The point is not merely that wisdom is worth more than rubies, but that her possession produces an inward state — a clear conscience, settled heart, free affections — which no amount of treasure can buy.
Holding Fast What Is Found
Verse 15 carries the thought further than verse 13. Wisdom is no longer just a treasure being sought; she is now grasped and kept.
J. N. DarbyThe two words here used go further than verse 13; there she was even as a sought treasure, here held fast as what the soul kept, valued, and was kept in. It is the abiding and purposed mind of the soul, as Barnabas exhorted them with purpose of heart to cleave to the Lord.
So the verse calls not for a passing admiration but for a settled, deliberate clinging — the disposition Paul expressed when he counted all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ.
The Ruby and the Old Book's Accuracy
Scripture's repeated preference of the ruby over the diamond is not an accident of poetry but a fact of value:
C KnappIt is a common idea among men that the diamond is the rarest and costliest of gems; but it is a mistake. The precious ruby has six or seven times the value of the diamond. The diamond was known to the ancients; but Scripture always puts the ruby first. "Her price is far above rubies"; "the price of wisdom is above rubies," it says. The old Book is right in gem knowledge, you see, as in everything it touches on.
Christ the Wisdom of God
The figure of personified wisdom is, in the fullest sense, fulfilled in Christ. What Solomon set out as priceless treasure has come down among men in a Person.
J. N. DarbyAnything that leads us to wisdom is indeed blessed... He is the wisdom of God, as He is the power of God. His word should dwell in us richly in all wisdom. This is really wisdom.
Hence the comparison of verse 15 lands, finally, on Him: there is nothing one could desire — no riches, no honour, no earthly good — that compares with knowing Christ.
From Israel's Blessing to the Christian's Higher Portion
Solomon spoke, in the first place, to the Israelite under God's earthly government. Yet what was true for him is even more true for the believer who has the Son revealed.
William KellyIf it was so with the Jew before Jehovah, is the blessedness less now that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding to know Him that is true?... Surely we can say that the wisdom that comes down from above is more precious than rubies, and that all the things one can desire are not equal to the rich boon of divine favour.
The Christian counts even greater things loss to win Christ:
William KellyHe that died and rose again has brought us deeper grace and shown us a yet more excellent way; so that what things were gain, one has in one's measure counted loss for Christ... to count them dung that one may win Him and be found in Him in that heavenly glory where He is.
Nature Ransacked in Vain
A parallel passage in Job is searched for the same truth: nothing in creation, however brilliant, can equal wisdom's price.
Samuel RidoutPure gold and silver, weighed out in unstinted measure cannot purchase it... corals, pearls, rubies — wisdom's price exceeds them all... Nature is ransacked in vain to find something to compare with that whose price is above all earthly treasures. Would that men realized this, that they might find the one jewel of eternal value.
Summary
- Priceless treasure. Wisdom outweighs rubies and every desirable thing — the inspired comparison searches all created value and finds nothing equal to her.
- Inward fruit. Possessing wisdom yields a clear conscience, free affections, and a sense of divine favour that no riches can produce.
- Hold fast. Verse 15 calls for a settled, abiding clinging to wisdom — not mere admiration but purpose of heart to cleave to her.
- Christ the wisdom. All that Proverbs personifies in Wisdom is fulfilled and concentrated in Christ, who is "the wisdom of God."
- Greater portion. The Christian, with the Son revealed, counts all things loss to win Christ — the supreme rendering of "all you can desire are not to be compared unto her."