Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Proverbs 27:6)

This proverb distinguishes between correction and flattery. The wounds of a friend refer to words that cut because they are true. They are reproofs that expose sin or error, and may cause temporary pain and even humiliate. But they serve to correct and restore for eternal good. The kisses from an enemy are empty signs of affection that conceal harm. They may soothe the flesh but harbor falsehood or malicious intent. The parallelism contrasts love and deceit, where affection without truth must be rejected and faithful correction received.

When David committed adultery and murder, Nathan the prophet came to confront him. He told a parable, then exposed David with the words, “You are the man.” David was pierced, but this brought him to repentance. From that wound came Psalm 51, a prayer of cleansing and restoration. In a similar way, Paul rebuked Peter in Antioch when Peter withdrew from Gentile believers out of fear and hypocrisy. Peter’s compromise endangered the gospel, and Paul did not flatter him. He opposed Peter to his face to defend the truth. This public correction upheld the truth of the gospel. It served to unify Jewish and Gentile believers. Peter later referred to Paul’s letters as Scripture. In both cases, the truth pierced for a time and bore lasting fruit.