Honor Code

(Proverbs 20:3 KJV)  It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

Once again the KJV makes a marginal reading unnecessary by translating more accurately.  The NASB uses “keeping away” (7674) and puts “ceasing” in the margin.  The KJV just says it.  There is a difference and I think the literal translation brings out something that is missing in the other.

There are times when we cannot avoid “strife” (7379).  We make errors of judgement.  We lose it on occasion.  And to be honest, sometimes people come looking for trouble and we are the target of opportunity.  We cannot avoid it initially, but we can withdraw from it.

That is the message for us here.  You don’t need to win.  It does not violate genuine “honor” (3519b) to walk away from someone who is stirring it up.  It is just the opposite.  The lack of honor is in perpetuating the stress.

So?  The macho thing is not a part of righteousness.  Yes, you may need to stand up for a genuine principle some time but know the difference between violated principle and wounded pride.