Proverbs 6:1

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about co-signing:

Proverbs 6:1 (ESV)
My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
have given your pledge for a stranger,

Apparently God is concerned about our standing up and taking responsibility for the debts of a neighbor and a stranger.   These two lines of this proverb are complimentary.  The second line compliments and further states the premise of the first line.   Solomon is about to warn the reader (his son) on the dangers of "co-singing" for someone else's debt ... in this case, the neighbor or stranger.   It should be noted that he clarifies the person we are to avoid in co-signing.   We are not to go into business with someone we don't know or have no relationship with.   A stranger is someone we have no knowledge of in regard their ability to pay they debt back.  We are not to stand in for payment for a neighbor since a neighbor doesn't always show you his/her true character.  We see our neighbors every day but we don't know their character to pay or ability to pay.   Solomon is warning us that danger comes from developing a business relationship with those we don't know.  The theory here would be to get to know them before you jump into business with them.   The proverb is not referring to someone you do know.   It could be applied, in a broad basis, that co-signing for anyone might be unwise.  But that can’t be derived from this single proverb.   This proverb does teach the truth that if you co-sign for someone else’s debt you better know they have the ability to repay.   It is foolish to do otherwise.