“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise “ (Proverbs 11:30).
I. An Extreme Interpretation
Righteousness yields life and
violence (wickedness) kills
1. Start with the assumption that the
writer wishes to teach by contrasting
statements (v.27 c.f v.25)
2. Interpret “wins souls” as “takes life”
(1Kgs. 19:4 c.f. Gen. 24:67)
3. Change “wise” to “violent”
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise “ (Proverbs 11:30).
I. An Extreme Interpretation
Righteousness yields life and
violence (wickedness) kills
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise “ (Proverbs 11:30).
II. More Reasonable Interpretations –
“the fruit of the righteous”
The “fruit” is good deeds and influence
of righteous and it leads others to life,
The “tree of life” is the “fruit” of
righteousness
“the wise” wins souls
One who wins souls is wise for doing so
One who wins souls must be wise to do
so
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise “ (Proverbs 11:30).
2 Important Biblical Principles
 Christ’s death
2Cor.5:21
 The righteous
are debtors to
 The nature if the Kg. others
Psa. 51:12-13
of God Rm.14:17;
Rom.1:14
2Pet.3:13
 The unrighteous
denied entrance to the
Kg. 1Cor.6:9
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise “ (Proverbs 11:30).
“The righteousness of God”
 Revealed in the gospel (Rm.1:16-17)
 Received through faith (Rm.1:16-17; 4:3)
 By grace through forgiven (Rm.3:24-25)
 Lead to life (Rm.6:23)
 Permits conditions (Gen.6:8; Tit.3:5)
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise “ (Proverbs 11:30).
Titus 3:4-5
4 But when the kindness and the love of God our
Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according
to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of
regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
He saved us
Not by works of
righteousness that we
have done
According to His mercy
• By washing of
regeneration…
Baptism
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise “ (Proverbs 11:30).
“The righteousness of God”
 Revealed in the gospel (Rm.1:16-17)
 Received through faith (Rm.1:16-17; 4:3)
 By grace through forgiven (Rm.3:24-25)
 Lead to life (Rm.6:23)
 Permits conditions (Gen.6:8; Tit.3:5)
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise “ (Proverbs 11:30).
 Understands the value of a soul Matt.16:26
 Redeeming the time doing the work of
the Lord Eph.5:16-17

Will receive a “crown of rejoicing”
1Thess.2:19
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise “ (Proverbs 11:30).
Don’t let alibis get in the way!
We say...
“They won’t come.”
God says...
“Go!”
“We can’t.”
“It is our duty to try.”
“No one will listen.”
“Plant & water; I’ll
give the increase!”
“We’re too busy.”
“This is your business!”
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise “ (Proverbs 11:30).

Set your heart on being a soul winner

Pray
 Try, try & try some more
 Sow bountifully
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise “ (Proverbs 11:30).

Knowledge

An exemplary life

Patience

A sense of urgency

Meekness

Conviction
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who
wins souls is wise “ (Proverbs 11:30).
2 Important Biblical Principles