Proverbs 5:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He refers to the acceptance of outsiders as negative thoughts that, when they take hold of the spirit, one cannot sustain, and which are not concealed from the heart of the Lord.

In guiding us to avoid being swayed by external influences (Proverbs 5:20), the Scriptures affirm that we can gain insights from human understanding, as long as we do not linger indefinitely in this realm. Everything bestowed by God at the appointed moment has equipped each generation to embrace the message of the Lord.

This teacher shares with his youthful followers the wise advice from his parents, cautioning them against the allure of foreign women, while encouraging them to seek joy and love within their own families. He reminds them to embrace this path confidently, for in the eyes of God, all the ways of humanity are laid bare, and straying from His laws incurs serious consequences.

Do not cling to outsiders, but instead find solace in the embrace of your own. The allure of foreign women—their charm, youth, gentle touches, and attire—can lead to a violation of marital devotion. However intense these temptations may be, and regardless of how appealing another's wife may appear in contrast to one's own, it is essential to resist succumbing to these enticements and to choose your own wife above all others.