Are the righteous rewarded in this life or in the next one? Proverbs 11:31
Here Solomon speaks as though the godly person receives his reward in this life, claiming, “the righteous will be recompensed on the earth.” However, the Bible repeatedly speaks of the rewards of the believer as being yet future, after Christ returns (cf. 1 Cor. 3:12–15). Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Rev. 22:12).
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Tim Maas
Supporter
I would interpret the cited verse not in a positive sense, but (as indicated by some of the translations available at https://biblehub.com/proverbs/11-31.htm, such as, "If the righteous lives in difficulty, how much more the wicked and the sinner!"), as making the same point as Peter in 1 Peter 4:18, when he noted the difficulty of even a righteous person being saved, and then said, if that is the case, how much more dire or adverse is the eternal condition of the unredeemed. I personally place all my hope or expectation on eternity, and do not view this present life and world as owing me any meaningful "rewards" (although I am grateful to God for any earthly blessings that I do receive).
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