Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals:
Thursday April 9 2026
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Proverbs 23:23-Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding.
Menander was a Greek playwright who lived between 342-290 B.C. Born in Athens, Greece, he used drama and comedy to teach and promote the viewpoints and religious philosophy of everyday life as understood by his civilization. He strongly influenced later famous playwrights such as Plautus and Terence. Perhaps his most famous play is Dyskolos (“the Grouch”). Especially prominent in his plays were references to the Greek gods Pan and Tyche (who was the god of fortune and luck). His plays also humorously depicted many aspects of Greek everyday life, including adultery and prostitution.
Particularly interesting is an excerpt from one of his plays (named Thais) in which a young man is being taught the dangers of friendships that will lead a person to a bad end in life (especially drinking and carousing). It is in this play that we read the words:
“Bad company virtues good character/morals.”
If that sounds familiar to you, it is because the Apostle Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) references Menander!
1 Corinthians 15:33-Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
What can we learn from this?
First, the Apostle Paul was familiar with works outside of the Bible. He was well-versed and studied in numerous disciplines and philosophies. This makes sense because he was trained at the feet of Gamaliel, which implies formal and intensive instruction (Acts 22:3). Indeed, the Apostle often quotes from other pagan philosophers and prophets as well (cf. Acts 17:26-28; Titus 1:12-13). Often, the Bible refers to non-inspired works to help us better understand what is in the Bible itself. Just because a book or person isn’t inspired doesn’t mean that we can’t learn from it or them. Truth is truth, no matter who is speaking it!
Second, by this reference, the Apostle was not showing approval for everything that Menander endorsed. Paul knew about the existence of the pagan gods, but he did not consider them to be truly Divine (1 Corinthians 8:5-6; 10:19-20). Paul could acknowledge that there were statements of truth in these works without endorsing everything within them, and certainly without suggesting that those works were inspired by the Holy Spirit. We see here a very important principle: truth spoken by someone may be acknowledged and applauded, without giving unswerving approval of everything that person says.
For example, there are truths and lessons that I have learned one the years from those who are not inspired. I have learned much over the years from friends and neighbors who are from a background of Baptist, Pentecostal, church of God, Mormons, etc. There are many areas and ways in which I can find agreement with friends from these backgrounds and approve and applaud the things which they say and do that are morally and biblically right.
What are some things from your religious neighbors that you can approve and applaud? Can you think of any others examples where someone spoke something true that helped you better understand what God said in the Bible?
Lord, thank You for Your Word that guides us. Give us wisdom as we study from those works things outside of the Bible. Amen.