Bible CommentariesCommentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole BibleProverbs 18
Verse 1
seeketh — that is, seeks selfish gratification. intermeddleth wisdom — or, “rushes on” (Proverbs 17:14) against all wisdom, or what is valuable (Proverbs 2:7).
Verse 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 5
accept the person — (Compare Psalm 82:2). “It is not good” is to be supplied before “to overthrow.”
Verse 6-7
The quarrelsome bring trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them (Proverbs 6:2).
Verse 8
(Compare Proverbs 16:28). 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; Psalm 22:14).
Verse 9
One by failing to get, the other by wasting wealth, grows poor. waster — literally, “master of washing,” a prodigal.
Verse 10
name of the Lord — manifested perfections (Psalm 8:1; Psalm 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, etc., on which men rely. is safe — literally, “set on high, out of danger” (Psalm 18:2; Psalm 91:4).
Verse 11
contrasts with Proverbs 18:10 (compare Proverbs 10:15). Such is a vain trust (compare Psalm 73:6).
Verse 14
infirmity — bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.
Verse 17
One-sided statements are not reliable. searcheth — thoroughly (Proverbs 17:9, Proverbs 17:19).
Verse 18
The lot — whose disposal is of God (Proverbs 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.
Verse 19
No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.
Verse 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
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
The old versions supply “good” before the “wife,” as the last clause and Proverbs 19:14 imply (compare Proverbs 31:10).
Verse 23
the rich roughly — He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.
Verse 24
friendly — better, “A man (is) to, or, may triumph (Psalm 108:9), or, shout for joy (Psalm 5:11), 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.
Copyright Statement Bibliography Information |
Commentary Navigator
Search This Commentary
|