A Few Thoughts on Proverbs 27:17

Proverbs 27:17 NKJV As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

As Christians, we have a large body of wisdom.

• God has taught us through precept and laws.
• God has taught us through people's lives both good and evil.
• God has taught us through people seeking/praying for wisdom. This is especially so in the Bible book of Proverbs.
• God has taught us through the life of His Son, the Lord Jesus, the Son of man and God the Son.
• God has taught us that He will give us wisdom when we ask for it. James 1:5 NLT If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

A harden steel file can be used to sharpen a knife, ax, shovel, etc.

Countenance

• The Hebrew word is פָּנִים pânîym and means face. It is used in many difference ways
  • The face
  • A person
  • A seraphim or cherubim face
  • An animal face
  • The face of the ground, etc.
  • When used with a preposition it indicates a position relative to person, etc.
• Here, it is used for people

Sharpen

• Used to illustrate a truth
• Used to show edification and grow in our Christian life.

How do we sharpen each other?

• Encourage each other to Bible reading, study, and prayer
• Kindly pointing out our errors in life, thinking, actions, etc.
• Thanking each other when appropriate
• Listening to each other
• Finding a solution to a problem together
• Discussing a topic
• Using our spiritual gifts together. For example, one might have wisdom and the other mercy, teaching, etc. We need to be open to each other's gifts.
• Answering questions. For example, I don't understand the problem of evil, but another believer has spent hours on that very topic. It doesn't mean that we have to believe them, but we can listen closely.
• Praying for each other

Some other verses

• Good counsel: Proverbs 27:9 NKJV Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by hearty counsel.
• Encouragement: Isaiah 35:3-4 NKJV Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.
• Encouraging each other to live a Christian life: Hebrews 10:24 NKJV And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
• Encouraging each other when facing difficulties: 1 Peter 4:12-13 NKJV Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

I do not believe the proverb refers to an argument where each person's face shows anger.