A familiar Bible saying, checked in context
Iron sharpeneth iron
Word for word
This exact phrase begins Proverbs 27:17, which continues with the image of one person's effect on another.
By @The..Mustard..Seed · Updated
Read the relevant KJV passage
Proverbs 27:17Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Compare the evidence
The nearby friend sayings value open rebuke over hidden love. This helps identify what kind of honest encounter may sharpen a friend.
Proverbs 27:5Open rebuke is better than secret love.
The next proverb says a friend’s wounds can be faithful. That sharpens the difference between helpful candor and mere friction.
Proverbs 27:6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
What the context adds
Proverbs 27:17 begins “Iron sharpeneth iron” and continues with a man sharpening the countenance of his friend. The direction matters: the man acts, and it is his friend’s countenance that is sharpened. The chapter also speaks of rebuke, counsel, and faithful wounds from a friend. None of those images makes every argument constructive. The full verse invites attention to the effect one person has on another, while the nearby sayings help readers ask whether a difficult exchange is faithful and useful. The shortened line is exact KJV wording but only the first half of the proverb.
A question to carry forward
When does an honest word sharpen a friend, and when is it only an injury?
Keep reading
Read Proverbs 27:5–17 and notice how rebuke, counsel, and friendship sit around verse 17.
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