Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 21

Verses 1-31

Verse Proverbs 21:4. The "lamp" of a man's life is his spirit. Where that is exalted and manifests itself in the high look and the proud heart, there is sin. All of which is to say that for a man to follow a self-centered desire without recognition of guidance from God is of the essence of sin.

Verse Proverbs 21:18. This proverb could have been written only by a man who had learned the important lesson of taking in broad expanses in his outlook. He declares the supremacy of right in the economy of the world, and that, finally, for the ransom and deliverance of the righteous and upright the wicked and transgressors must be dealt with in judgment.

Verse Proverbs 21:27. In this proverb there is a somewhat subtle distinction which is nevertheless one of extreme importance. In any case, the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination. That is to say, it is abominable for any man who is living wrongly to make an offering to God in the way of worship. That abomination becomes worse when in the offering of the wicked comes from an ulterior motive. For a wicked man to give for his own pleasure is an evil thing; but if he hopes by his gift to win some spiritual favor while he continues in sin, that is a still deeper evil.