Proverbs 11:5

The perfect. Heb, tamim, from the same root as tummah (see on v. 3). Tamim is a relative term, and must be understood in its context. Noah was said to be perfect (Gen. 6:9), yet he later proved susceptible to the weaknesses of the flesh (Gen. 9:21). The perfect are the mature Christians fully dedicated to the Lord, who though they have weaknesses to be overcome press on toward the mark (Phil. 3:12-15). The day will come when the work of eradicating all sin and selfishness from the redeemed will be complete, and the saints will be fully and permanently without spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5:27).

Shall direct. Heb. yashar, "to make smooth," "to make straight," that is, free from obstacles. Righteousness makes the way even by removing all cause for stumbling. The temptations remain, but there is no response to them (see John 14:30). In the same way, it is the desire for evil that causes the wicked man to find so much to stumble over that he finally falls never to rise again.