Bible Commentaries

Verse 1

1. (Compare Proverbs 6:1-20.6.5; Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 10:17).

Verse 2

2. shall eat—that is, obtain (Proverbs 12:14).

transgressors—as in Proverbs 12:14- :.

violence—or, "mischief" to themselves.

Verse 3

3. He . . . mouth . . . life—because evil speeches may provoke violence from others.

he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction—On last clause, compare :-.

Verse 4

4. (Compare Proverbs 12:11; Proverbs 12:27).

Verse 5

5. loathsome . . . shame—better, causeth shame and reproach (compare :-), by slander, &c., which the righteous hates.

Verse 6

6. A sentiment of frequent recurrence, that piety benefits and sin injures.

Verse 7

7. In opposite ways men act hypocritically for gain of honor or wealth.

Verse 8

8. Riches save some from punishment, while others suffer because they will not heed the rebuke of sloth, which makes and keeps them poor.

Verse 9

9. light . . . lamp—prosperity; the first, the greater, and it

rejoiceth—burns brightly, or continues, while the other, at best small, soon fails.

Verse 10

10. The obstinacy which attends self-conceit, produces contention, which the well-advised, thus evincing modesty, avoid.

Verse 11

11. by vanity—or, "nothingness," that is, which is vain or useless to the public (as card playing or similar vices).

gathereth . . . labour—(Compare Margin), little by little, laboriously.

Verse 12

12. desire cometh—is realized.

a tree of life—or, "cause of happiness."

Verse 13

13. the word—that is, of advice, or, instruction (compare Proverbs 10:27; Proverbs 11:31).

Verse 14

14. (Compare :-).

fountain—or, "source of life."

to depart—(compare :-), or, "for departing," &c., and so gives life.

Verse 15

15. Right perception and action secure good will, while evil ways are difficult as a stony road. The wicked left of God find punishment of sin in sinning.

hard—or, "harsh" (compare Hebrew: Deuteronomy 21:4; Jeremiah 5:15).

Verse 16

16. dealeth—acts with foresight.

a fool . . . folly—for want of caution.

Verse 17

17. A wicked—or, "unfaithful"

messenger falleth into mischief—or, "by mischief," or "evil," and so his errand fails. Contrasted is the character of the faithful, whose faithfulness benefits others.

Verse 18

18. (Compare Proverbs 10:17; Proverbs 12:1).

Verse 19

19. Self-denial, which fools will not endure, is essential to success.

Verse 20

20. The benefits of good and evil of bad society are contrasted.

Verse 21

21. (Compare :-).

good . . . repaid—or, "He (God) will repay good."

Verse 22

22. wealth . . . just—While good men's estates remain in their families, God so orders that the gains of sinners enure to the just (compare Proverbs 28:8; Psalms 37:18; Psalms 37:22; Psalms 37:26, &c.).

Verse 23

23. The laboring poor prosper more than those who injudiciously or wickedly strive, by fraud and violence, to supersede the necessity of lawful labor.

Verse 24

24. spareth—or, "withholds."

rod—of correction.

hateth—or, acts as if he hated him (compare Proverbs 3:12; Proverbs 8:36).

chasteneth . . . betimes—or, "diligently seeks for him all useful discipline."

Verse 25

25. The comparative temporal prosperity of the righteous and wicked, rather than contentment and discontent, is noted.