“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend”

  (Pro 27:17-27)

[Study Aired April 16, 2026]

Pro 27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Pro 27:18  Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
Pro 27:19  As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.
Pro 27:20  Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.
Pro 27:21  As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.
Pro 27:22  Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.
Pro 27:23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.
Pro 27:24  For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
Pro 27:25  The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
Pro 27:26  The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
Pro 27:27  And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Our title, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend”, taken from verse 17 of this chapter,  is a powerful metaphor that reminds us that growth is never meant to be a solitary journey (Heb 10:25). This proverb from last week’s study (Pro 27:9) confirms that it is Christ in us who makes it possible for us to be a joint that supplies in love (Eph 4:16, Col 1:27, Rom 5:5, Rom 8:30-34).

God’s word of course is likened unto a sharp two-edged sword (Heb 4:12), and both breastplates and swords can be made of iron, and so we’re reminded of the constant need in these verses as the body of Christ to be sure that we are clothed with the spiritual armour that God grants us in this life (Rom 8:29-32) in order to do battle against the powers and principalities that we constantly war against (Eph 6:12). This is how we can be an effective joint that “maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Eph 6:10-18, 1Th 5:1-11).

Pro 27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Iron is being likened unto God’s word in this opening proverb, and we know God sends His word to bring healing (Psa 107:20, Joh 20:21, Joh 3:17), especially to God’s elect in this age (1Ti 4:10). It is because of our belief in that word (Joh 6:68, Joh 6:28) that we can grow and overcome and endure the reproach that comes upon us for trusting in the living God who is the saviour of all men.

1Ti 4:10  For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God (Eph 1:12), who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe (specially of those who are doing the work of God in this age Joh 6:28-29).

Joh 6:28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Two examples of God’s word being sent to bring spiritual healing: “Iron sharpening iron”

1- Nathan Confronts David — “Iron sharpening iron”

2Sa 12:13  And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.(Eph 2:8, Psa 32:2)

2- Paul Confronts Peter — “Iron sharpening iron”

Gal 2:11  But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

Pro 27:18  Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

Keeping the fig tree is just another way of saying “Occupy till I come”(Luk 19:13), the fig tree representing the body of Christ as does the vineyard that we occupy. Our labours our not in vain in the Lord (1Co 15:58) and we are reminded through Christ directly that “he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured”(Mat 24:42-47).

Luk 19:13  And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.

1Co 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.(Heb 11:6)

Mat 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Mat 24:43  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. [Christ is the goodman in our temple (1Co 3:16, Col 1:27) and we are being told to not neglect so great a salvation by stirring up the spirit of God within us, and Christ will then be that goodman who will be the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 2:3, Heb 12:2, Php 2:12-13)]
Mat 24:44  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Mat 24:45  Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Mat 24:46  Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Mat 24:47  Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. (Luk 9:23, Joh 6:44, Mat 19:27-30)

We are not just passively sitting around or mentally not involved as we wait for the Lord’s return but rather we are by God’s grace fearfully (Mat 10:28) taking on all these needful qualities in our life (Heb 11:7, Heb 5:7, Mat 18:8-9, Rom 13:11) that will make it possible for us to be scarcely saved as it says in (1Pe 4:18).

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith (1Jn 5:4).

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Mat 18:8  Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Mat 18:9  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. (Heb 11:26)

Rom 13:11  And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Pro 27:19  As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

When we understand our own heart we will get insight into the heart of others is what this proverb is saying, and that is true for both the negative and positive things that come forth from our hearts (Jas 3:10-18, 1Co 3:1-6).

Jas 3:14  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

What we know about the heart of man is that it is deceitful and desperately wicked above all things (greatest enemy we have is seen in the mirror every morning Jer 17:9). That’s who the beast on the throne who is empowered by the devil is (Rev 13:4), and he must be destroyed by the brightness of Christ coming into our lives daily (2Th 2:3-8) so that we can go from glory to glory (2Co 3:18) ripping this veil of flesh daily, keeping under ourselves (Heb 10:20, 1Co 10:16), as we die daily, to ultimately see Christ face to face one day (2Co 3:13, 1Co 13:12). For now we see through a glass darkly making the way very narrow for those few who are called to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Mat 7:14).

2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The reflection that we see of ourselves in the water is being paralleled with the heart of “man to man”. We are beasts that have to be shown we are such, and we cannot become that new creation without acknowledging that truth (Ecc 3:18), and so we must be judged our entire life in order to endure to the end and be saved (1Pe 4:17, Act 14:22)

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith (Gal 2:20, 1Jn 5:4), and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Pro 27:20  Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

This proverb is simply telling us what we read here in Ecclesiastes (Ecc 1:8-10).

Ecc 1:8  All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
Ecc 1:9  The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Ecc 1:10  Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

This is why the internet with the myriad of search engines on AI steroids fits right into this proverb that says “the eyes of man are never satisfied”(Ecc 12:12, Gen 6:3). All of flesh leads to the same “hell” (H7585 Sheol; grave) “and destruction” (H10 ->H11 Abaddon; perishing) destination, and cannot inherit the kingdom (1Co 15:50). As long as there is flesh, “hell and destruction are never full”.

Ecc 12:12  And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

Gen 6:3  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Our Father is ultimately seeking an occasion against all flesh [all books], and today God’s elect are blessed to be judged and overcome all that is in the world [our books] within us first so that we can fulfill God’s will (1Jn 2:15-17, Eph 2:8, Eph 1:12, Php 1:29).

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. [the narrow way Mat 7:14]

Pro 27:21  As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

Pro 27:21  People use fire to make gold and silver pure. In the same way, a man is tested by the praise people give him. (ERV)

Pro 27:21  The heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, and a man is measured by what he is praised for. (BBE)

In these verses we are being shown that when we go through trials our life is going to be refined, “fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold”. It is those tests that we go through that bring us to a place where we are standing in the Lord and if standing we are giving honour where honour is due, “a man is measured by what he is praised for” (Rom 13:7). All that glory and honour are God’s for the work that He does within us as His workmanship (Eph 2:10).

God has worked a work in our lives which is expressed in these verses (this is the “the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold”1Co 3:12-14) and it is all being accomplished by God through Christ who told us of himself he can do nothing without the Father, just as we of our own selves can do nothing without Christ (1Jn 4:17) while in these earthen vessels (Luk 19:40, Joh 15:5, Joh 5:30, Rom 1:20).

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Mic 6:8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Pro 27:22  Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

Pro 27:22  No matter how hard you beat a fool, you can’t pound out the foolishness. [CEV]

This proverb is speaking about our old man whose hardened heart cannot change and make war with the beast (Rev 13:4), until the day of evil is revealed within ourselves (Pro 16:4) and the man of perdition is destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming into our heavens (Joh 8:36). Christ is the pestle that crushes the wheat in the lives of God’s elect for good, but if we are not being worked with in this age our sorrowful situations will not change us, being of a worldly sort and not Godly sorrow that is not to be repented of.  (2Co 7:9-10). Godly sorrow brings forth fine flour that is refined and able to be used to nourish the body of Christ as the next verse goes on to show (2Co 7:11)

2Co 7:9  Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
2Co 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (“Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him”)
2Co 7:11  For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

Pro 27:23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

Pro 27:23  You should take good care of your sheep and goats, (CEV)

David was a man after God’s own heart, and so there is a correlation to repentance in the lives of God’s people that is needful if we are going to be justified and take good care of the Lord’s flocks and herds (Luk 18:14). We are taking good care of the flocks and herds when we have a contrite and broken heart which is a gift from God (Isa 66:2). Verse (Isa 66:3) is contrasted with (Isa 66:2) to show the difference between a sacrifice that is acceptable versus one that is not.

Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Isa 66:3  He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

Pro 27:24  For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
Pro 27:25  The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

Pro 27:24  because wealth and honor don’t last forever.
Pro 27:25  After the hay is cut and the new growth appears and the harvest is over, (CEV)

The imagery of youthful spiritual beginnings is illustrated with these words, “The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered”, speaking of the sincere milk of the word that we can grow by (1Pe 2:2), going onto maturity no longer a babe in Christ but able to partake of strong meat (Heb 5:13-14, Eph 4:13-15, 1Pe 5:10).

Heb 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

1Pe 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

There are seasons in our lives where we will be less productive, and God has purposed this and calls us to pray for that renewed growth “because wealth and honor don’t last forever” and “After the hay is cut and the new growth appears and the harvest is over” we need to continue to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling to the end (Php 2:12-13), patiently possessing our souls (Heb 10:36, Luk 21:19) and waiting for the next harvest, the next increase, that God gives in our lives (1Co 10:11-13, 1Co 3:6, Jas 5:7).

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

Jas 5:7  Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Jas 5:8  Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts:(1Pe 5:10) for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Pro 27:26  The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
Pro 27:27  And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens.

Pro 27:26  you can sell lambs and goats to buy clothes and land.
Pro 27:27  From the milk of the goats, you can make enough cheese to feed your family and all your servants. (CEV)

We are like Christ on this earth (1Jn 4:17-18) and as such we are sheep for the slaughter (Rom 8:36) whose lives are sacrificed for each other so that we can clothe each other, “The lambs are for thy clothing”, as a joint that supplies in love (Eph 4:16). The end result of our due diligence in the Lord which is accompanied by repentance (Rom 2:4) is an abundant spiritual harvest which is being likened unto with these words, “The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field” and “goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens”. Between harvests in our lives we have enough spiritual store lay up, which is what this plenty is talking about [likened also unto extra oil in our vessels given by the grace of God (Mat 25:4, Eph 2:8)].

Finally we share in paying for “the price of the field” as the scapegoat along with Christ. The field is the world (Mat 13:38), and God so loves the world that He bruises Christ as well as His body (Isa 53:10, Mat 21:44, Php 1:29, 2Ti 2:12) so that we can share in being saviours with our Lord who will come up on “mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S” (Oba 1:21).

Lev 16:10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: (the fit man within Col 1:27, the same fit man Lev 16:21)

Isa 53:10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes[a] his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.[NIV]

Mat 21:44  Any man falling on this stone will be broken, but he on whom it comes down will be crushed to dust.

Php 1:29  Because to you it has been given in the cause of Christ not only to have faith in him, but to undergo pain on his account:

Oba 1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

These final few verses we’ve looked at remind us that Christ not only had the preeminence in being crushed for our sakes, but has also taken on the role of our high priest so we can be assured that we can indeed drink the cup. (Mat 20:23, Rom 5:10). God’s word, Christ,  is that strong sword in our heavens who is able to sharpen our heavens and prepare us to endure whatever the future holds for the bride of Christ (Joh 18:9).

Mat 20:23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Joh 18:9  That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.