"As Iron Sharpens Iron"

An individual once asked me, "What does the phrase, 'As iron sharpens iron' mean in Proverbs 27:17?" The second part of this verse provides us with the answer: "So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." As Matthew Henry states in his commentary on Proverbs 27:17: "Good men's graces are sharpened by converse with those that are good, and bad men's lusts and passions are sharpened by converse with those that are bad, as iron is sharpened by its like, especially by the file."

This phrase provides us with the idea of a file being used in order to sharpen a metal blade (such as sharpening a hoe or a knife). The implication is, there is great importance in having and maintaining good associations with people with whom we come in contact with (see here). Why? Simply because other people influence and affect us, as we influence and affect them (see here and here), either for good or for evil (see example here). Therefore, it is crucial that the people we associate ourselves with, are a good influence on us (and vice-versa Matthew 5:14-16).

The principle of associating ourselves with that which is good versus that which is evil, is found in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, where the inspired writer Paul states: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light [good] with darkness [evil]? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”

Who is a genuine friend (other than Christ and God)? As Jason Jackson states in this article under the heading "Counsel" ..... "A genuine friend offers wise counsel, even a healthy clash of views. Real friends provide this kind of constructive advice. The sage of Israel wrote, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). This counsel, even in the form of loving disapproval, as shared among friends, is healthy. “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel” (Prov. 27:9). Friendship involves recommending even the difficult and conveying unwanted counsel. Such a counselor is a friend to be cherished."

---Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets