Copyright StatementThese files are a derivative of an electronic edition prepared from text scanned by Woodside Bible Fellowship.
This expanded edition of the Jameison-Faussett-Brown Commentary is in the public domain and may be freely used and distributed.
Bibliographical InformationJamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Proverbs 18". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/
commentaries/eng/jfb/proverbs-18.html. 1871-8.
Introduction
CHAPTER 18
:-.
Verse 1
1. Through desire . . . seeketh—that is, seeks selfish gratification.
intermeddleth . . . wisdom—or, "rushes on" ( :-) against all wisdom, or what is valuable ( :-).
Verse 2
2. that his heart . . . itself—that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 15:2).
Verse 3
3. So surely are sin and punishment connected (Proverbs 16:4).
wicked, for "wickedness," answers to
ignominy, or the state of such; and
contempt, the feeling of others to them; and to
reproach, a manifestation of contempt.
Verse 4
4. Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.
Verse 5
5. accept the person—(Compare Psalms 82:2). "It is not good" is to be supplied before "to overthrow."
Verse 6
6, 7. The quarrelsome bring trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them ( :-).
Verse 8
8. (Compare :-).
as wounds—not sustained by the Hebrew; better, as "sweet morsels," which men gladly swallow.
innermost . . . belly—the mind, or heart (compare Proverbs 20:27-30; Psalms 22:14).
Verse 9
9. One by failing to get, the other by wasting wealth, grows poor.
waster—literally, "master of washing," a prodigal.
Verse 10
10. name of the Lord—manifested perfections (Psalms 8:1; Psalms 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, c., on which men rely.
is safe—literally, "set on high, out of danger" (Psalms 18:2 Psalms 91:4).
Verse 11
11. contrasts with :- (compare Proverbs 10:15). Such is a vain trust (compare Proverbs 10:15- :).
Verse 12
12. (Compare Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 16:18).
Verse 13
13. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame ( :-).
Verse 14
14. infirmity—bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.
Verse 15
15. (Compare Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:15; Proverbs 1:31).
Verse 16
16. (Compare Proverbs 17:8; Proverbs 17:23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.
Verse 17
17. One-sided statements are not reliable.
searcheth—thoroughly (Proverbs 17:9; Proverbs 17:19).
Verse 18
18. The lot—whose disposal is of God (Proverbs 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.
Verse 19
19. No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.
Verse 20
20. (Compare Proverbs 12:14; Proverbs 13:2). Men's words are the fruit, or, increase of his lips, and when good, benefit them.
satisfied with—(Compare Proverbs 1:31; Proverbs 14:14).
Verse 21
21. Death and life—or, the greatest evil and good.
that love it—that is, the tongue, or its use for good or evil.
eat . . . fruit—(Compare Proverbs 18:19; James 1:19).
Verse 22
22. The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Proverbs 19:14 imply (compare Proverbs 19:14- :).
Verse 23
23. the rich . . . roughly—He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.
Verse 24
24. A man . . . friendly—better, "A man . . . (is) to, or, may triumph ( :-), or, shout for joy ( :-), that is, may congratulate himself." Indeed, there is a Friend who is better than a brother; such is the "Friend of sinners" [Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:34], who may have been before the writer's mind.