Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Proverbs 27:17 (04/27/23)
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TITLE: The Sharpening Process | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
05/03/23 -
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The idea that metal knives or swords are sharpened by stroking the blade of one knife along the blade of another, at least in the case of modern-day metal knives used in the realm of culinary arts, is a misnomer.
A misnomer is a commonly accepted, but inaccurate belief. But as we will see, they can still be used as teaching tools, as in the case of Prov. 27: 17.
Stroking the blade of one knife or sword along the blade of another would more than likely dull or damage the cutting edge. At best, it would only remove foreign matter that was not washed away since the last usage.
The ancient warriors used a large grinding stone, or a smaller, hand-held, “wet stone” to sharpen their swords.
In more than one instance, the human authors of Scripture, under the inspiration of God, would use “language of accommodation,” symbolism, and misnomers in place at the time of the writing, in order to make a principle of doctrine understandable to a listening or reading audience.
For instance, Eccl. 1: 5 speaks about the rising and the setting of the sun, when in fact it is not the sun, but the movement of the Earth that creates this appearance.
Jesus also used symbolic and or language of accommodation.
He did so when He spoke of such things as the eating of His flesh, the drinking of His blood, the moving of mountains, false teaching, and the difficulty of a camel passing through the eye of a needle (1).
Exegesis is important, but when symbolism, misnomers, and language of accommodation are in view, disciples must focus on the principles of doctrine being conveyed, and not “wrangle” over the wording (2).
This brings us to Prov. 27: 17.
“Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another (Prov. 27: 17 NASB).”
In this proverb, it is the mutual edification among believers that is in view.
Primary edification should take place when Church Age believers are gathered together for the type of worship that God desires, under the teaching ministry of a biblically-qualified and functioning pastor-teacher.
Mutual edification takes place during our interactions with fellow believers during the course of our daily activities.
The inspired language of Prov. 27: 17 is Hebrew. The key word in the NASB English translation is sharpens.
Sharpens is an English translation of the Hebrew word y-a-h-a-d, that means to be sharp.
To be sharpened means to become more sharper (edified) than what one was, before the sharpening (edifying) process took place. This is what should be the result of our ongoing primary and mutual edification.
But, depending on whom we choose to listen to, and or rub elbows with, time spent in primary and or mutual edification can produce either positive or negative results.
To the extent that the unadulterated Gospel Message and accurate doctrine is being taught, reiterated, shared, reinforced, and practiced, the results can be positive, in that the believer continues to advance in the knowledge and in the application of the Word of God (3).
But to the extent that a different Gospel Message (for salvation) or false doctrines are being taught, reiterated, shared, reinforced, and practiced, the negative consequences can be serious (4).
Scripture commands (not an option) Church Age believers to gather together to engage in the type of worship that God desires (5).
This gathering together can take place in the traditional fashion, as did the earliest believers, or by way of the many means of modern-day communication.
At the end of the day (life), it is not the location or the means (physical, remote, virtual) of gathering together that is going to matter.
What matters is the quantity and the quality of the fruit produced, as a result of having gathered together.
There are several components to Church Age worship, but the teaching and reiteration of the unadulterated Gospel Message and accurate Bible Doctrine is the one that fulfills the inside part (making of disciples) of the Great Commission (6).
Becoming and remaining sharp via primary and mutual edification is an ongoing process, an act of obedience, and an essential part of discipleship (7).
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(1) John 6: 53, 54/Matt.17: 20/Matt. 16: 6/Mark 10: 25 (2) 2Tim.2: 14 (3) 2Pet. 3: 18/James 1: 22 (4) Gal. 1: 8/2Cor. 11: 4/Mark 7: 7/Matt. 7: 23, 24 (5) Heb. 10: 25/John 4: 23, 24 (6) Matt. 28: 19, 20 (7) 2Pet. 3: 18/2Cor. 13: 5/1Pet. 3: 15
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