{"id":16786,"date":"2008-11-08T21:11:00","date_gmt":"2008-11-09T03:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=16786"},"modified":"2019-12-13T21:15:33","modified_gmt":"2019-12-14T03:15:33","slug":"is-the-oil-to-be-bought-in-matthew-251-13-the-truth-mentioned-in-proverbs-2323","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-the-oil-to-be-bought-in-matthew-251-13-the-truth-mentioned-in-proverbs-2323\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the oil to be bought in Matthew 25:1-13 the truth mentioned in Proverbs 23:23?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t

Question:<\/h2>\n

Do Matthew 25:1-13 and Proverbs 23:23 correlate?\u00a0 Is the oil we are supposed to buy truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding?<\/p>\n\t

Answer:<\/h2>\n

When dealing with parables, you need to be careful to use the imagery in the parable consistent with the point being made. It is possible to stretch a parable beyond its intended meaning.<\/p>\n

In this case, the oil cannot be referring to the truth because the wise virgins were unable to share it with the foolish for fear there would not be enough for all. That is not true with the truth. Truth can always be shared and it doesn’t diminish with the spreading.<\/p>\n

The point of this parable and those surrounding it is that a person must be watchful because we do not know when the Lord will return. Just because a person is a part of the kingdom, it does not mean they have a guaranteed entrance into heaven. Each person must be prepared to hold on for an unknown length of time. It is required of Christians to remain steadfast (Hebrews 3:14; 6:11; Revelation 2:10). Like the warning in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23), the church is composed of people who will endure and those who will fall away. Only the wise understand the need to be prepared for endurance.<\/p>\n

Just as one Christian cannot give their righteousness to another, the wise virgins were unable to help the foolish virgins in being ready for the bridegroom. Each person must individually put in their own effort to be ready. No one can make you get ready or do the work on your behalf (Philippians 2:12). Nor will there be an opportunity for a second chance once the Lord returns (Hebrews 9:27).<\/p>\n

See “The Second Coming of the Lord<\/a>” for more details.<\/p>\n

In Proverbs 23:23, the point being made that truth is so valuable we should never compromise it by selling for cheaper things. There are people who are willing to release their hold on truth for worldly pleasures, or pride, or family, or other temporal things. They are not getting the bargain they believe. See “Religious Bargain Hunting<\/a>” for more on this matter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Question: Do Matthew 25:1-13 and Proverbs 23:23 correlate?\u00a0 Is the oil we are supposed to buy truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding? Answer: When dealing with parables, you need to be careful to use the imagery in the parable consistent with the point being made. It is possible to stretch a parable beyond its intended meaning.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[689,210],"class_list":["post-16786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-answer","tag-parables","tag-symbolism"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":92542,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-jesus-taught-in-parables\/","url_meta":{"origin":16786,"position":0},"title":"Why Jesus Taught in Parables","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Roger D. Campbell No one ever taught as Jesus did (John 7:46)! When He taught people, He often employed parables. By doing so, He fulfilled Old Testament prophecy (Psalm 78:2; 49:4). Jesus was neither the first nor last person in history to teach via parables, but He used them\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":89522,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-parable-of-the-sower-a-reminder-to-soul-winners\/","url_meta":{"origin":16786,"position":1},"title":"The Parable of the Sower: A Reminder to Soul-Winners","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 19, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Kris Groda Although Jesus called it \"the parable of the sower,\" we view the parable in light of the explanation that Jesus provided (Matthew 13:18-23). The thrust seems to be about the different types of ground, which represent the differences in people; nevertheless, the seed-sower scattered seed on good\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":91194,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/did-i-incorrectly-teach-the-parable-of-the-yeast\/","url_meta":{"origin":16786,"position":2},"title":"Did I incorrectly teach the parable of the yeast?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"October 12, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Good day, brother Jeffrey. I led a study during our Mid-Week Service about the Parable of the Yeast. I made a disclaimer in my lesson that even though the majority of the usage of the word \"yeast\" in the Bible carries a negative connotation but the way Jesus used\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":24014,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-conditionalism-a-possibility\/","url_meta":{"origin":16786,"position":3},"title":"Is conditionalism a possibility?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 20, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Is Luke 16:19-31 another parable in the series of the chapter? Does I Timothy 6:16 mean that we are not immortal? I ask because conditionalism looks very attractive, especially after reading Al Maxey's reflections.\u00a0 But I have some doubts about it because if hell is not eternal, can we\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":39583,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/could-you-explain-jothams-parable-of-the-trees\/","url_meta":{"origin":16786,"position":4},"title":"Could you explain Jotham’s parable of the trees?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 2, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Would you please give your understanding of the\u00a0story of the trees in Judges 9:7-15? Thank you. Answer: \"Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and cried out. And he said to them: \"Listen to me, you men of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":53495,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-the-parable-of-the-prodigal-son-solely-about-gods-grace\/","url_meta":{"origin":16786,"position":5},"title":"Is the Parable of the Prodigal Son solely about God’s grace?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 16, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Could you please speak on the parable of the prodigal son? I had a family member who has been in Christ's church her whole life saying that repentance has nothing to do with this parable. 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