Proverbs 27:5 (BSB)

Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.

From Proverbs 27. Also in the ESV.

Commentary on Proverbs 27:5

• Matthew Henry (Presbyterian), Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on Proverbs 27:5-6: Note, 1. It is good for us to be reproved, and told of our faults, by our friends. If true love in the heart has but zeal and courage enough to show itself in dealing plainly with our friends, and reproving them for what they say and do amiss, this is really better, not only than secret hatred (as Lev 19:17), but than secret love...
• John Gill (Reformed Baptist), Exposition of the Old and New Testaments on Proverbs 27:5: Open rebuke is better than secret love. This is to be understood, not of rebuke publicly given; though Aben Ezra thinks public reproof is meant, which, arising from love, is better than that which is done in secret, though in love, as being more effectual; for rebuke among friends should be given privately, according to our Lord's direction, Mat 18:15; but it signifies reproof given...
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (Reformed), Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible on Proverbs 27:5: secret love--not manifested in acts is useless; and even, if its exhibition by rebukes wounds us, such love is preferable to the frequent (compare Margin), and hence deceitful, kisses of an enemy.
• Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran), Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament on Proverbs 27:5: Pro 27:5 The third pair of proverbs passes over from this special love between husband and wife to that subsisting between friends: 5 Better is open accusation Than secret love. An integral distich; meeאהבה has Munach, and instead of the second Metheg Tarcha, after Thorath Emeth, p. 11.