Proverbs 14:27Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The reverence for the Lord is the wellspring of life. As the wellspring, it is constant and continuously flows, providing both current and eternal life, and through the bestowal of goodness, it liberates from evil.

Are you facing trials or the prospect of death? “He that fears the Lord shall fear nothing, and shall not be dismayed; He is his hope” (Sir. 34:14). “The fear of the Lord is the fountain of life, but it makes one to evade the net of death” (Proverbs 14:27). (See also Hebrews 12:28 for interpretation.)

While one enjoys happiness and wealth, a multitude of friends surrounds them. However, when they fall into poverty, they find themselves abandoned by all. True wealth, instead, lies in wisdom and reverence for the Lord; even a king gains honor through the size of his following, and he must embody patience, humility, and compassion towards the less fortunate. His wisdom and integrity uplift his people, and the king's favor is bestowed primarily upon his loyal servants, with particular emphasis on the humble, for humility is esteemed in God's sight.

The reverence for the Lord serves as a wellspring of life, enabling one to escape the grasp of death. The Lord Himself is the origin of life; in Him, we find our being and movement. Every good and perfect gift flows from Him. He provides all that is necessary for our physical, spiritual, and eternal well-being, helping us steer clear of the perils of death, which encompass both temporal and eternal damnation. Because this divine grace is drawn to and nurtured through our reverence for God, such piety is truly the Source of life, allowing us to evade death's snare and assisting in our avoidance of mortality. Those who are devout experience God's particular care for them.