What does this proverb mean? When was this written? It was written during the Iron Age in the Middle East. Iron was not very pure at that time but contained other metals, such as nickel and copper, as well as carbon. Steel is iron with a certain proportion of carbon (between 0.2% and 2.1%). Pure iron is soft and carbon steel can be as much as 1000 times harder than iron. Iron in those days contained varying amounts of impurities and was of different strengths. Sharpening is defined as the process of creating or refining a sharp edge to an appropriate shape on a tool or implement designed for cutting. Sharpening is done by grinding away material on the tool with another abrasive substance harder than the tool itself. This is sometimes followed by a process to polish the sharp surface, increasing smoothness and correcting small mechanical deformations without regrinding.
When one thing sharpens another, the substance on the sharpening surface must be harder than the material being sharpened, such as two different alloys of iron. In a similar manner, one man who is stronger in faith can sharpen another to help him become stronger. This can be in knowledge of the Word or in action and deed to become more like Christ. Hebrews 10:24 (NIV) expresses a similar concept, “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (NIV)”
Very sharp knives sharpen at an angle of about 10 degrees (which implies that the knife's edge is a 20-degree angle). Material, iron in this case, is scraped off as the edge is made finer and more acutely angled to make the cutting edge of the sword or blade. This removing of the burrs refines the edge until it can easily cut through the toughest materials. In the same way bad habits and negative thoughts and actions are removed from our lives as we are sharpened by the encouragement and loving criticism of a fellow believer. Just as a blade may be polished to increase its ability to cut more cleanly, we may be polished by the support of another and more brightly reflect God's love shining in our lives.
In the sharpening of iron with iron, both pieces change — the sharpener and the one being sharpened. In the same manner our faith is strengthened when we test and encourage another. We must help each other to remain strong in the faith, able to defend the faith, even against the direct attack of the enemy. Just as the Bereans searched the scriptures daily to confirm the Word (Acts 17:11 (NIV)), we can sharpen one another by searching the scriptures together to understand God's Word.
Sharpen can also mean intensify or focus. The cutting edge of the blade is more intensely focused into a very fine line as it is sharpened and can cut more deeply. In the same way one person can intensify another's focus onto the things of God by sharpening his knowledge and understanding of the Word. The sharpening itself may be thought provoking and at times even painful, but in the end we are stronger and better for it. Warren Wiersbe observes, “If we’re not disagreeable, we usually learn more by disagreeing, ‘speaking the truth in love' Ephesians 4:15(NIV), than by giving in and refusing to say what we really think."
Likewise, friends ought to be able both to offer help and receive instruction. God's psychology insists that friends sharpen each other instead of tearing down. The Scripture gives many examples of God honoring communication between friends: "Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Proverbs 27:5-6 (NKJV)." We need to come to appreciate both the encouragement and the candid criticism from our friends, as well as their kindness and generosity. "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? Amos 3:3 (NKJV)"
The sharpening of iron by iron represents how God desires us to be in fellowship with each other to strengthen, encourage, instruct, support and sharpen our understanding of His love. Just as blades must continue to be sharpened to keep their sharp edge, so must we as Christians continue to study God's Word to stay focused in our walk with Him.
Powerful!
ReplyDeleteAwesome word and we'll written. Thank you. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteGood Word and very well written! May I use this with your permission at a Men's Ministry Meeting
ReplyDeleteCertainly! Feel free to use any content on the site. Thanks for coming by and reading.
DeleteI am so happy that God led me to your site as I was preparing a sermon. No one person knows everything; therefore, it is important to share with others the knowledge that has been given to us. When we share we are truly God's creations who are iron sharpening iron. Thanks for freely giving.
DeleteI am a little sharper from reading this article.
ReplyDeleteI am already sharper from just reading this article. The article unequivocally supports the fact that God created us to for Him and each other. We can't become everything that He wants us to become by operating in our own strength.
ReplyDeleteGreat word that clearly expounds!
ReplyDeleteThis was awesome!
ReplyDeleteYears later and this still works!!! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteYears later and it still works!!! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteI have been writing a similar blog on this topic (http://ableever.net/wordpress/index.php/2017/08/20/iron-sharpens-iron/) and found your discussion quite helpful. I tend to differ a little on the concept of the sharpener needing to be harder than and the blade being sharpened, which leads one to reason that this is describing a mentoring type of relationship. I don't think it is limited to this, and I think this is a significant point: you can sharpen a razor blade with a leather strap, or even a rough cloth. We can and should learn from anyone and everyone, not just from those who are stronger than we are. The important point is to remain in a submitted posture in every relationship so that the Master can be continually sharpening us through everyone we engage with.
ReplyDeleteI think the important things to note about the sharpening phenomenon are that [1] a necessary and deliberate friction occurs between the objects that is very carefully engineered so as to be constructive and not destructive, [2] the blade being sharpened must be angled very carefully in the procedure, submitted to the process (so to speak) and [3] the process requires repeated strokes of precision in order to not damage the blade, with very small improvements in each stroke, it does not happen in big chunks, and [4] the craftsman interested in sharpening the blade will determine what methods to use to produce the intended effect, and may use many different kinds of materials of differing qualities; each step has its purpose.
I enjoyed reading the article as well as Tim's response. I also believe that we can learn from every engagement and people of varying strengths. To the author of this article, please keep blogging. I enjoy your work. To Tim, please keep adding your comments. You both have sharpened me with your interaction.
DeleteKeep on writing, great job!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Keep up your awesome commentaries!
ReplyDeleteHello, I think it would be better if you put the name of the author/writer :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for that powerful word amen
ReplyDeleteExcellent revelation, it can be understand in depth only by the soldiers of the cross appointed by commander of the hosts,superb keep going to edifying millions as the Lord leads u,as the word of God (Ep1:18)God bless u.
ReplyDeleteGreat Word
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