Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 25:27

ESV It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one 's own glory.
NIV It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.
NASB It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.
CSB It is not good to eat too much honey or to seek glory after glory.
NLT It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
KJV It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
NKJV It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one’s own glory is not glory.

What does Proverbs 25:27 mean?

A prior proverb mentioned the danger in having "too much of a good thing" (Proverbs 25:16). Overeating happens when someone wants to feel good, so they try to pile on too much food and wind up feeling worse. A person who seeks too much glory—excess honor, respect, titles, or reputation—winds up appearing un-glorious to others. Scholars note that the ending phrases of this proverb, in Hebrew, are somewhat obscure. Most take it to support the first phrases as a warning against excess, even in positive things.

Every Christian should remember that his body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and he was bought with a price, the blood of Christ. Therefore, he should glorify God, not himself (see 1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Living out this truth keeps a Christian from falling into the disgrace alluded to in Proverbs 25:26. That knowledge should motivate believers to regulate urges, including eating habits. First Corinthians 10:31 says, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Furthermore, every believer needs to honor the truth given in Isaiah 42:8: "I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other." Seeking one's own glory is the epitome of pride, and James 4:6 says, "God opposes the proud." A person who tries to make their body feel good with too much food only makes the body feel worse. A person who tries to make their spirit feel good with too much personal pride and glory only makes themselves feel smaller and less valuable.
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