Proverbs 27:17
says, "As iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." The NLT reads, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Do you understand the meaning? When iron and steel blades are hammered or moved across one another, friction occurs and heat is produced. In the process, burrs and nicks are taken out as the blade becomes sharp and effective. A dull sword is a poor weapon indeed. Likewise, when believers (with "men" here referring to both men and women) are actively involved in one another's lives, mutual edification occurs -- we "sharpen" one another.
To start with,
Hebrews 4:12
(ESV) adds to this:
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
also expands on this message: "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
While it was NEVER "comfortable," those of us who understand being truly cold in battle or in military training have no problem using one another for warmth (just ask any sailor who has made it through SEAL BUDS training, or the "
Frozen Chosin
" during the Korean conflict).
In law enforcement, we don't go through the academy alone and many police agencies still pair-up officers on the street. Moreover, the academy training process is designed to involve group pain and discomfort with the goal of hammering and sharpening us into the razor sharp servant-warriors God has called us to be.
The context of this passage points to the need for constant (regular) fellowship between believers. As God points out to us even before the Fall, man was not made to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Clearly, this was recognized by Christians in the early church (Acts 2:42-47), who "devoted themselves" to teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer, all corporate activities that provided opportunities for sharpening one another.
There are two main points to make about this proverb. First, the meeting of two together in the Lord's name will always bring blessing. It is a means of grace that the Lord Himself promised -- where two or more are gathered in His name, there He is among them (Matthew 18:20). Also, we see a similar meaning in Malachi, for those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard (Malachi 3:16). When we sharpen one another in real Christian fellowship, the Lord hears and is pleased. Not one word about Him which brings Him glory escapes His notice.
Then there is the "iron sharpens iron" relationship between David and Jonathan (King Saul's son). When David was being hotly pursued by Saul, Jonathan sought David out "to help him find strength in God" (1 Samuel 23:16). This then leads us onto our second main point: Iron sharpening iron is an opportunity to obediently fulfill the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-5). Here the apostle Paul says that we are to carry and share the issues and burdens that we face daily, to lament over personal sin, advise on how best to repent of it, and rejoice over the conquest of it. This is the same "royal law" mentioned in James 2:8, where we are exhorted to love one another.
God made us for fellowship. Even when a believer sets himself apart from others to be with the Lord in prayer and the study of His Word (our daily "quiet time"), we are in regular fellowship (intimate relationship vs. cold, empty "religion") with God Himself! In fact, the whole counsel of Scripture provides numerous examples of what happens when we become "Lone Rangers" without the backup of a faithful "Tonto." David forgot the lessons he had from his "iron sharpens iron" relationship with Jonathan when he allowed himself to be alone to lust after Bathsheba (insert pornography today) and plan their illicit meeting. Do you think that would have happened had Nathan or Jonathan been there with him? Likewise, Samson never placed himself in an accountable relationship -- with disastrous results. Moreover, you'll note that our Lord, with the exception of Judas before His Passion (Judas wickedly chose to go it alone), never sent his own disciples off without backup: "
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go" (Luke 10:1).
The New Testament is replete with instructions concerning how believers (born again Christians as God defines it in His Word) should relate with one another: We are to do good to each other (Galatians 6:10), bear each other's burdens (Galatians 6:2), forgive each other (Colossians 3:13), restore each other (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20), submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21), encourage each other (1 Thessalonians 5:11), admonish and exhort each other (Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 3:13), pursue peace and mutual growth (Romans 14:19), and stir one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Proverbs 27:17
also likens the interaction between two brother or sister servant-warriors seeking to "hone" their skills by "sharpening" their swords against one another (iron/steel blades coming together as they train for combat). The analogy is even clearer in the original Hebrew, where the second half of the verse is translated "one man sharpens the face of another." The analogy is not just a military or law enforcement one but rather it points us to that faithful friend who will lovingly equip their brother or sister for success by constructive criticism and sound, biblical counsel.
Giving a tool or weapon the desired sharpness took time in the ancient world where there were no high tech sharpening devices. Persistent, careful striking or pressure of the tool against the sharpener or anvil was required, and the process lasted longer than a matter of seconds. Thus, the proverb is underscoring the importance of persistence in fellowship and discipleship. One man does not sharpen another with just one speech or dialogue, though words spoken in the right season can go quite far in helping improve another person. Instead, people sharpen one another over time, through years of discipleship, mentoring, friendship and going through tough times together. A truly constructive friend or mentor is faithful over time to offer his criticism and instruction, and he does not give up the first time his friend or mentee does not heed godly advice. Of course, for those of us serving in law enforcement or combat roles, this sharpening is a matter of life and death (and the bonds of brotherhood forged there last a lifetime).
Returning to the analogy, if a blade is blunt, it still continues to be a weapon, although it is far less effective in service. Let us therefore be encouraged to spend more time together, exhorting, encouraging, praying, admonishing, sharing God's Word, praying over God's Word and the needs of our local church (YES, you MUST be planted in a solid, Bible-teaching church), that we become sharper, more cutting in the ministry that the Lord has assigned to each of us (EVERY believer is called to ministry -- service -- of one kind or another). Sadly, too often what passes as fellowship in the modern church is centered on food, fun and "programs" versus sharpening one another with the Word of God. In far too many instances, the only knives being sharpened are the ones used at potlucks (not saying that potlucks are bad, just that the truth of God's Word needs to remain paramount).
Especially in law enforcement, there is a tendency to isolate ourselves from others and too many of us prefer it that way. How many suicides are you aware of where the suicidal party was with a brother/sister officer when he/she ended their lives? Likewise, how many surf porn or commit adultery when their spouses or battle buddies are in the same room with them or otherwise holding them accountable?
Part of my own "BC" (before Christ) testimony is that I isolated myself (a true Tonto-less "Lone Ranger" if there ever was one). While God had to break me to get my attention, He also brought other committed brothers into my life to hold me accountable, build me back up and lead me to true repentance and genuine salvation.
Coming together in iron sharpens iron fellowship (the Greek NT word for this is koinonia -- literally "to share in common") -- whether it be a men's or women's study, a Centurion or FCPO "cop church" chapter meeting or just church (the right kind) in general -- is NOT OPTIONAL (the "do not" part of Hebrews 10:15)!
Finally, we need to understand that the New Testament context of iron sharpens iron means believer to believer. Is that you? Are you sure? Consider the following: