What does Proverbs 15:21 mean?
ESV: Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
NIV: Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.
NASB: Foolishness is joy to one who lacks sense, But a person of understanding walks straight.
CSB: Foolishness brings joy to one without sense, but a person with understanding walks a straight path.
NLT: Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.
KJV: Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
NKJV: Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
Verse Commentary:
Proverbs routinely notes that ignoring God (Proverbs 1:7) leads to dire consequences. Many of those are eternal (Proverbs 10:25; 11:7), but they also involve the present natural effects of our choices (Proverbs 11:3, 6). Why, then, do people choose to sin and ignore God? As this proverb notes, the reason is because there can be temporary pleasure—amusement and diversion—in earthly sin (Hebrews 11:25). The one lacking discernment has fun with sin; he fails to take it seriously and see its dangers (Proverbs 11:19).

The person who enjoys their sin does not realize they are spiritually dead. Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 2:12 about condemned people, "who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." The Devil deludes people by suggesting that sinful pleasure is true pleasure, but true pleasure is found only in doing God's will. The psalmist writes: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11).

The contrast to foolishly wallowing in sin is to follow the path laid out by God (Proverbs 2:6–10). A God-honoring person (Proverbs 3:5–7) does not wander from the straight and narrow way to indulge in sinful pleasures.
Verse Context:
Proverbs 15:13–30 continues Solomon's contrasting descriptions of the wise and the foolish. In this book, those ideas are associated with accepting or rejecting God's truth, respectively (Proverbs 1:7). He writes about the gladness of the upright, wise person and the depressing existence of the wicked, foolish person. He contrasts attitudes, thoughts, and actions of both kinds of individuals, and he states that the Lord is far from the wicked but close enough to the righteous to hear their prayers.
Chapter Summary:
Solomon begins this chapter of Proverbs by addressing subjects such as anger and self-control and how those reactions produce different responses from others. That extends to how carefully a person guards their words, and their responses to questions. Wise people seek wisdom and humbly accept it. Foolish people are careless, lazy, or arrogant. Solomon also notes the importance of perspective, and once again commends those who sincerely seek godly wisdom.
Chapter Context:
Chapter 10 began a long list of Solomon's wise sayings. This passage continues to emphasize common themes such as hard work, humility, godly wisdom, and self-control. This extended collection of proverbs continues through much of chapter 22.
Book Summary:
Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.
Accessed 10/9/2024 3:27:04 AM
© Copyright 2002-2024 Got Questions Ministries. All rights reserved.
Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
www.BibleRef.com