Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 11:30

ESV The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
NIV The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.
NASB The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And one who is wise gains souls.
CSB The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but a cunning person takes lives.
NLT The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.
KJV The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

What does Proverbs 11:30 mean?

A righteous person seeks God and godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 3:32–33). As a result of following the Lord's commands, he touches the lives of others with life and healing (Proverbs 10:21; 11:10). The Lord Jesus is the clearest example of this principle in action. He came to earth to minister and to give abundant life to all who believe in Him. He touched numerous lives with goodness and healing. When Peter proclaimed the gospel to Gentiles in the home of Cornelius, he said Jesus "went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him" (Acts 10:38). Those who witnessed Jesus' healing of a deaf person with a speech impairment observed, "He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak" (Mark 7:37).

Solomon also comments here about someone who "captures souls." The context here of an appealing, life-giving tree is important. The person in question attracts others to see the truth (Matthew 5:16). Similar sentiments are expressed elsewhere in the Old Testament (Daniel 12:3) but are more prominent in New Testament passages such as James 5:20 and 1 Corinthians 9:19–23. Again, Jesus is the best example of this kind of "capturing." He drew His disciples to Himself, and multitudes followed Him. Today, wise Christians share the gospel with others and lead them to Jesus.
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