Searching for Proverbs 10:12 meaning? Here’s a commentary on what the passage means, along with application and appropriate prayer.
Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 10:13, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
American Standard Version
Hatred stirreth up strifes; But love covereth all transgressions.
World English Bible version
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
Proverbs 10:12 Meaning & Commentary
Hatred and love are two opposing forces. The Bible tells us that one stirs up strife, but the other once covers all offenses. Now, strife speaks about conflict, dissension, quarrel, or a general state of being at enmity with someone. The picture is of someone being in a constant state of disharmony, or the opposite of being at peace with people. Now, The Bible commands us to do our best to be at peace with all people: Romans 12:18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
The Bible says that hatred is the thing that stirs up strife. Practically, how does this happen? Well, if we have hatred in our hearts towards someone, there is a natural leaning in our own emotions and feelings to want to get even, do wrong to the person, or let them know how upset we are. If we act on this, it can bring about strife with that person. This can even come from a place of jealously: Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
As for love, The Bible tells us in Proverbs 10:12 that love covers all offenses. Whereas hatred tends to latch onto any small thing to bring about strife, love does just the opposite! It covers (or overlooks) all offenses. This essentially means that it forgives them and does not hold it against the person. What exactly is an offense? There are two Greek words that are translated as “offense”: scandalon [skavndalon] and proskomma [provskomma]. Both carry the connotation of “sinfulness” or “stumbling block.”. So, it simply speaks of someone committing a sinful act, or in broader terms doing something wrong against us.
Application
How then can we practically apply Proverbs 10:12 to our lives?
Firstly, recognize and acknowledge that offenses will come! As Jesus said, it is inevitable: Luke 17:1 Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no [a]offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! To recognize and acknowledge this is to be pre-warned and ready to respond correctly when they do come. Of course, as we learned, the correct response is to walk in love and overlook (or forgive) these offenses! Look at how the book of Ephesians lays this out: Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Just as Jesus Christ has set an example for us, so we are commanded to walk and follow his example.
One thing to also note here is to not only forgive and overlook offenses that come to us but also to be careful what is shared with others because this can also bring about strife, albeit in a more subtle, but very destructive way. Look at the warning given elsewhere: Proverbs 16:28 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. So, hatred that is not dealt with can even stir up strife when it is brought to other people (other than the person directly involved). This is where people can be tempted to gossip and slander, which can poison the perceptions and mindsets of many people, not just one or two.
So, there is a lot of evil that can stem from hatred. As believers, no matter how much we may be tempted to walk in hatred, we know that God has given us the ability to love people, because of his love which he has deposited inside of us: Romans 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. So, it is a choice to love, or to hate because God’s love is inside of us!
Prayer
Father God, I come to you in Jesus’ name, and I ask that you forgive me for where I may have harbored hatred in my heart, and not walked in love. I thank you that your love has been shed abroad in my heart, as Romans 5:5 tells me. Therefore, I now release and forgive anyone who may have wronged or upset me in any way. Help to walk in your love every day of my life, so that I may overlook all offenses that may come my way. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen!
