Proverbs 18
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“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
1Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
CHAPTER 18
Pr 18:1-24.
1. Through desire ... seeketh--that is, seeks selfish gratification.
intermeddleth ... wisdom--or, "rushes on" (Pr 17:14) against all wisdom, or what is valuable (Pr 2:7).
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
2. that his heart ... itself--that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Pr 12:23; 15:2).
3When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
3. So surely are sin and punishment connected (Pr 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.
4The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
4. Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.
5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
5. accept the person--(Compare Psa 82:2). "It is not good" is to be supplied before "to overthrow."
6A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
6-7. The quarrelsome bring trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them (Pr 6:2).
7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
8. (Compare Pr 16:28).
as wounds--not sustained by the Hebrew; better, as "sweet morsels," which men gladly swallow.
innermost ... belly--the mind, or heart (compare Pr 20:27-30; Psa 22:14).
9He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
9. One by failing to get, the other by wasting wealth, grows poor.
waster--literally, "master of washing," a prodigal.
10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
10. name of the Lord--manifested perfections (Psa 8:1; 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, &c., on which men rely.
is safe--literally, "set on high, out of danger" (Psa 18:2; 91:4).
11The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
11. contrasts with Pr 18:10 (compare Pr 10:15). Such is a vain trust (compare Psa 73:6).
12Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.
12. (Compare Pr 15:33; 16:18).
13He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
13. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Pr 26:12).
14The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
14. infirmity--bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.
15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
15. (Compare Pr 1:5, 15, 31).
16A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
16. (Compare Pr 17:8, 23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.
17He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
17. One-sided statements are not reliable.
searcheth--thoroughly (Pr 17:9, 19).
18The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
18. The lot--whose disposal is of God (Pr 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.
19A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
19. No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.
20A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
20. (Compare Pr 12:14; 13:2). Men's words are the fruit, or, increase of his lips, and when good, benefit them.
satisfied with--(Compare Pr 1:31; 14:14).
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
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 Pr 18:19; Jas 1:19).
22Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
22. The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Pr 19:14 imply (compare Pr 31:10).
23The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
23. the rich ... roughly--He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.
24A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
24. A man ... friendly--better, "A man ... (is) to, or, may triumph (Psa 108:9), or, shout for joy (Psa 5:11), that is, may congratulate himself." Indeed, there is a Friend who is better than a brother; such is the "Friend of sinners" [Mt 11:19; Lu 7:34], who may have been before the writer's mind.
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