Guide to The Pilgrim's Progress Part Two

So when they were come again into the house and supper as yet was not ready, Christiana again desired that the Interpreter would either show or tell of some other things that are profitable.

Then the Interpreter began, and said, “The fatter the sow is, the more she desires the mire; the fatter the ox is, the more gamesomely he goes to the slaughter; and the more healthy the lusty man is, the more prone he is unto evil.

"There is a desire in women to go neat and fine; and it's a comely thing to be adorned with that which in God's sight is of great price.

"'Tis easier watching a night or two, than to sit up a whole year together: so 'tis easier for one to begin to profess well, than to hold out as he should to the end.

"Every shipmaster, when in a storm, will willingly cast that overboard that is of the smallest value in the vessel. But who will throw the best out first? none but he that fears not God.

"One leak will sink a ship: and one sin will destroy a sinner.

"He that forgets his friend, is ungrateful unto him: but he that forgets his Savior, is unmerciful to himself.

"He that lives in sin, and looks for happiness hereafter, is like him that sows cockle, and thinks to fill his barn with wheat or barley.

"If a man would live well, let him fetch his last day to him, and make it always his company keeper.

"Whispering and change of thoughts, prove that sin is in the world.

"If the world, which God sets light by, is counted a thing of that worth with men; what is heaven, which God commends!

"If the life that is attended with so many troubles is so loath to be let go by us, what is the life above!

"Everybody will cry up the goodness of men; but who is there that is, as he should be, affected with the goodness of God?

"We seldom sit down to meat, but we eat and leave; so there is in Jesus Christ more merit and righteousness than the whole world has need of."

Notes and Commentary

The House of the Interpreter represents the Word of God as it interpreted and made profitable for us by the Holy Spirit. As the pilgrims return to the house, Bunyan again emphasizes the value of God’s Word and the priority it should have in our lives. The pilgrims have arrived hungry and in need of nourishment to continue on their journey. Supper is being prepared, but before they sit down for a meal together, they desire first to feed their souls. Christiana demonstrates once again that her hunger is for the Word of God. Earlier she had asked of the Interpreter, “pray let us see some more.” Now she is eager to keep learning.

We must feed our souls as well as our bodies. Jesus said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:3).

Christiana asks the Interpreter to see and hear “things that are profitable.” Scripture itself testifies:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

The Interpreter grants Christiana’s request by speaking proverbs. In these proverbs Bunyan includes several sayings and observations that teach about sin, godliness, perseverance, faith, heaven, thankfulness, and the gospel.

Sin

• “The fatter the sow is, the more she desires the mire; the fatter the ox is, the more gamesomely he goes to the slaughter; and the more healthy the lusty man is, the more prone he is unto evil.”

Sin is alluring but insatiable. The more we imbibe the world, the more alluring sin will appear. The more we feed upon the world’s passions and pursuits, the stronger its influence will be upon our thoughts and actions.

Physical health is a gift from God, but health is abused when we present our bodies as “instruments of unrighteousness to sin” (Romans 6:13). Sickness and old age are often regarded as inescapable trials, yet God has good purposes for both. They restrain us from carrying out sinful desires and they wean us from trusting in ourselves or resting our hope in this world.

• “One leak will sink a ship: and one sin will destroy a sinner.”

Sin is uncontainable. Sin may at first appear small and inconsequential, but sin, if not mortified, will always spread and grow. It is true of sin: (both in the church as a whole and in the lives of church members: “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9).

John Owen exhorts us in The Mortification of Sin:

Do you mortify?
Do you make it your daily work?
Be always at it while you live.
Cease not a day from this work.
Be killing sin or it will be killing you!

• “He that lives in sin, and looks for happiness hereafter, is like him that sows cockle, and thinks to fill his barn with wheat or barley.”

Sin is also a deceiver. It never delivers what it promises. It offers happiness and satisfaction, but gives in return corruption and emptiness.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (Galatians 6:7–8).

• “Whispering and change of thoughts, prove that sin is in the world.”

We live in a world that has been overrun by sin. We don’t need to look far to see the evidence of sin. It is present in our thoughts, our speech, and our actions. We must turn away from sin and from those who insist on living in sin, lest we be overtaken by sin’s corruption and find ourselves dwelling again in Destruction.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them (Romans 1:28–32).

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:1–7).

Godliness

• “There is a desire in women to go neat and fine; and it's a comely thing to be adorned with that which in God's sight is of great price.”

It is good for women to desire beauty and to dress in a way that is “neat and find.” But the inward beauty of godliness is far better than the outward beauty of physical attractiveness. Good works are better adornment than fine jewelry and clothing.

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:3–4).

In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works (1 Timothy 2:9–10).

Perseverance

• “Tis easier watching a night or two, than to sit up a whole year together: so 'tis easier for one to begin to profess well, than to hold out as he should to the end.”

It is easier to stand guard for a night or two than to keep watch for a whole year. It is easier to call oneself a Christian than to actually live as a Christian. Many have made a promising start, displaying fervent zeal and passion, only to flame out or fall away. It is easier to profess faith in Christ than to persevere in the faith to the end.

And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:12–13).

• “If a man would live well, let him fetch his last day to him, and make it always his company keeper.”

This life is brief. It is “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). But eternity is forever. Death brings this present life to a close, but it is not the end. God “has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). If we are to “Iive well,” we must live in light of the truth that one day we “will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5).

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28–29).

This present world will one day pass away. If we live only for the pleasures and aspirations we can attain in this life, we are fools. We must turn away from sin, flee to Christ, and walk “in holy conduct and godliness” as we see the coming Day of the Lord.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:10–13).

Faith

• “Every shipmaster, when in a storm, will willingly cast that overboard that is of the smallest value in the vessel. But who will throw the best out first? none but he that fears not God.”

When severe trials and troubles of life overwhelm us, much of what we previously valued (possessions, wealth, status, …) is seen in comparison as trivial and is willingly cast aside. In such times of difficulty, the wise will hold fast their confession and cling to their faith in God as most precious and hold all else with an open hand. Only the foolish, who have no fear of God, will deny their faith and abandon their hope.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).

Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us (2 Timothy 1:13–14).

Heaven

• “If the world, which God sets light by, is counted a thing of that worth with men; what is heaven, which God commends!”

God’s creation is filled with wonder and displays His glory.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
(Psalm 19:1–3)

The sun rises and sets, giving light to the earth as a daily reminder of God’s goodness.

Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
(Psalm 19:4–6)

Yet the wonder and goodness we experience in this life is tainted by the presence of sin. It cannot compare to the “incorruptible and undefiled” inheritance awaiting us in heaven.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3–4).

• “If the life that is attended with so many troubles is so loath to be let go by us, what is the life above!”

Though there are many joys in this life, we also experience many trials and difficulties. But in our troubles we can have hope. This life is temporary. Eternity awaits us! Compared to eternity, the trials and difficulties of this life are momentary and light. God has good purposes in every trouble we face, Our troubles keeps us from clinging too tightly to this world. Our afflictions keep us from resting our hope in this world. God would not have us endure long in a world that is fallen and corrupted by sin. Thus our days in this life are short, but the glory we will attain in heaven will be forever.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16–18).

Thankfulness

• “Everybody will cry up the goodness of men; but who is there that is, as he should be, affected with the goodness of God?”

It is right and good to thank people around us. We see their care and compassion and are compelled to acknowledge their kindness. But God “gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25). It is to Him we should be most thankful.

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
(Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, and 31)

The Gospel

• “He that forgets his friend, is ungrateful unto him: but he that forgets his Savior, is unmerciful to himself.”

If someone is kind to us and we fail to acknowledge their kindness, we are ungrateful. God demonstrated His love to us by sending His Son.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:16–17).

We must believe this gospel (good news) and come to Christ for salvation. We must rest in its promises and stand in its truth.

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain (1 Corinthians 15:1–2).

Christ alone can save us. In Christ alone is forgiveness and peace with God. In Him alone is the righteousness we need to stand before God with no fear of condemnation and the strength we need to “walk according to the Spirit” and not “according to the flesh” (Romans 8:1). If we fail to acknowledge Christ and lose sight of the promises of the gospel, we will be ill prepared in our fight against sin. Guilt will again overtake us. Like Christian and Hopeful in Doubting Castle, we will be beaten unmercifully by Giant Despair.

• “We seldom sit down to meat, but we eat and leave; so there is in Jesus Christ more merit and righteousness than the whole world has need of.”

When someone prepares a meal, they take care that there is plenty of food and drink for all who come to the table. We eat and are satisfied, and still more remains when we leave.

When God prepared for the salvation of His people, the provision He made was costly beyond measure. He “sent His only begotten Son” to live and die for us.

In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:9–10).

The righteousness Christ attained thought His life and the atonement He made through His sacrifice on the cross are of infinite value. All who come Christ and trust in Him will be saved.

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe (Romans 3:21–22).

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (1 John 2:1–2).

Continue Reading 33. A Rotting Tree

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The text for The Pilgrim's Progress
and images used are public domain
Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2021–2023 Ken Puls

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

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