What does it mean that "a just man falls seven times"?
Proverbs 24:16
NKJV - 16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.
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Asked November 24 2014
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Lucas Hackett
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Paul Bayne
The wise will fall but will try to fall forward. In other words, every time a wise man falls he will learn from his mistakes and try not to fall in the same trap again. A wicked man falls and either blames others and/or never learns from his mistakes. So the wicked man will continue to fall and fall again and eventually come to destruction.
Jack Gutknecht
Proverbs 24:16. Seven times—often, or many (Pr 6:16, 31; 9:1). In the King James Version, this reads, "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief." just means "righteous." 24:16 Seven times: Seven times symbolizes perfection or completeness. Here, the number seven illustrates that no matter how many times the righteous fall, their defeat is temporary; they will rise again. Compare this verse, Proverbs 24:16, with my life verses in Psalm 37:23-24, 23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. "The steps of those whom He approves Are ordered by the Lord; And though they fall, held by His hand, They yet shall be restored." (Lowell Mason hymn)
Lewis Kabika
My opinion is that a righteous person is one who has been saved from sin by Jesus Christ's death. For this reason, such a one is kept safe and secure by Christ, even if he or she falls. Their salvation is not lost, because Christians belong to Christ forever. He or she can sin, but they do not make sinning a life style or habitual. "We are not of those shrink back and are destroyed, but those who repent and are saved." (Hebrews 10:39) Yet the wicked get destroyed.
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