Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 19

Verse 1

HONESTY THE BEST WAY

Proverbs 19

Honesty Best Way

Verse 1 declares that the poor man who is honest and upright is better-off than the man of perverse speech who is a fool, 14:2; 20:7; 28:6; Psalms 26:8-11.

Verse 2

Knowledge A Necessity

Verse 2 is linked to verse 1 by the word "also" and contrasts the better-off status of verse 1a with the "not good" position of the person without knowledge. Verse 2b declares that he that hasteth (make foolish, snap judgment, wrong decisions) sinneth, thus misses the upright way, Vs. 8; 21:5; 28:20; 29:20.

Verse 3

God Is Not To Blame For Man’s Folly

Verse 3 emphasizes the foolishness of the man who follows his own perverse way, scorning knowledge and wisdom; then seeks to blame the LORD for the troubles he brings on himself, 11:3; Psalms 37:7; Isaiah 8; Isaiah 21, 22.

Verse 4

Verse 4-See comment on Proverbs 14:20; Proverbs 18:23; Proverbs 19:7.

Verse 5

Sore Punishment of Liars

Verse 5 declares and verse 9 repeats the divine declaration that false witnesses shall not go unpunished, Vs 9; Proverbs 6:16; Proverbs 6:19; Proverbs 21:28; Exodus 23:1; Deuteronomy 19:16-21. Human justice may. be lax, but divine justice requires punishment, either of Christ the substitute, or the liar, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Revelation 21:8; Revelation 22:15.

Verse 6

Misdirected Source of Favor

Verse 6 affirms the often demonstrated readiness of men, to be friends toward, and court the favor of men from whom they may obtain gifts and advantages, Proverbs 17:8; Proverbs 18:6; Proverbs 21:14. To seek such is to depend upon men who are subject to human frailty, Psalms 146:3-4. Man’s judgment and true need is from the LORD, Proverbs 29:26; Psalms 37:28; Psalms 31:19-20; Isaiah 25:4; Luke 12:7; Philippians 4:19.

Verse 7

Poor Disregarded

Verse 7- See comment on Proverbs 14:20-21; Proverbs 18:23.

Verse 8

The Good of Wisdom

Verse 8 suggests that he who seeks and finds wisdom and understanding cares for himself; and gains the good of peace and satisfaction that results from a realization of the sufficiency of the LORD for every need, Proverbs 16:20; Proverbs 8:35; Jeremiah 29:13; Jeremiah 17:7; Psalms 34:8; Psalms 73:25-26.

Verse 9

Sure Punishment of Liars

Verse 9 -See comment on Vs 5.

Verse 10

Things Unseemly

Verse 10 declares that delight, unrestrained luxury, is not appropriate for the fool who lacks wisdom; much less should a slave have the rule over princes, Proverbs 30:21-22; Proverbs 26:1; Ecclesiastes 10:5-7.

Verse 11

Forbearance

Verse 11 declares that a wise man is slow to anger, forgiving, and willing to overlook offenses, Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 16:32; Colossians 3:13; James 1:19. For examples see Numbers 12:7-13; 1 Kings 13:4-6; Acts 7:60.

Verse 12

Power of Authority

Verse 12 emphasizes the power of one in authority to afflict or favor. Proverbs has counsel for superior and subordinate. Authority is a fact of life and should not be needlessly provoked, Proverbs 16:14; Proverbs 19:12; Proverbs 20:2. The superior is subject to divine law and will answer to the LORD for the way his authority is exercised, Proverbs 16:12; Proverbs 20:28; Proverbs 29:4; Proverbs 29:14; 2 Samuel 23:3.

Verse 13

Home Blessings and Problems

Verse 13 describes two home problems: First, a wife whose nagging is like the continual dripping or leaking of rain and as difficult to restrain as restraining the wind, 21:9; 27:15-16. Second, a foolish son who causes multiplied sorrow, Proverbs 17:21; Proverbs 17:25.

Verse 14

Verse 14 emphasizes the happier home blessed with a prudent wife, a gift from the LORD more valuable than an inheritance of house and riches from earthly kin, Proverbs 18:22; Proverbs 31:10-31.

Verse 15

Consequences of Laziness

Verse 15 describes the downward progression of laziness. The sluggard sleeps or loafs much, ignores opportunity to work or the ’ season to plant and cultivate, and comes to hunger because there is no income and nothing to reap at the harvest season, Proverbs 6:9-11; Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 20:4; Proverbs 20:13; Proverbs 24:33-34.

Verse 16

Importance of the Scriptures

Verse 16-See comment on Proverbs 13:13; Proverbs 2:7-11.

Verse 17

Giving To the Poor

Verse 17 declares that giving to the poor out of compassion for them is as lending to the LORD who will repay. Elsewhere such is said to honor the giver’s maker and assures that he will not lack, Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 28:27.

Verse 18

Parental Discipline

Verse 18-See comment on Proverbs 13:24.

Verse 19

The Uncontrollable Temper

Verse 19 suggests that the man who cannot control his temper will be in trouble repeatedly despite efforts of others to pacify his problems.

Verse 20

The Way to Wisdom

Verse 20 emphasizes the way to wisdom: hear the counsel. of wisdom and receive (accept) its instruction, with awareness of the end toward which all are moving. For this inescapable end wisdom is most necessary, Proverbs 2:1-11; Proverbs 4:5-9; Proverbs 8:33-36; Proverbs 1:29-33.

Verse 21

The Lord’s Will Prevails

Verse 21- See comment on Proverbs 16:1; Proverbs 24:5-6.

Verse 22

The Measure of a Man

Verse 22 suggests that the desirable quality in a man is a lovingkindness which acts to the extent of ability; and a poor man who can offer little is better than a liar who promises great things but does nothing.

Verse 23

Secure Life

Verse 23 declares that fear of the LORD assures longevity of life which satisfies and also secures from evil. See comments on Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 10:27; Proverbs 11:19; 1 Timothy 4:8.

Verse 24

Ultimate of Laziness

Verse 24 pictures the extreme laziness of the sluggard as a man placing his hand in the common dish of food but too lazy to lift the hand with food to his mouth, Proverbs 12:27; Proverbs 20:4; Proverbs 26:15. (No knives, forks or spoons were provided in that day. Each person reached into the common dish for himself, or was helped by the host, John 13:26.)

Verse 25

Value of Punishment and Reproof

Verse 25 reveals the value of punishment as a lesson for others. Punish the hardened scorner and the unwary will be warned. Reprove the understanding and he will gain knowledge of deficiencies to be corrected, Deuteronomy 19:20; Deuteronomy 13:11; Proverbs 21:11; Proverbs 9:8-9. The hardened scorner, the fool that mocks at sin, is not receptive to reproof, Proverbs 9:8; Proverbs 13:1; Proverbs 15:12. For such, punishment is prescribed, Proverbs 19:29; Proverbs 21:11; Proverbs 26:3.

Verse 26

Dishonor of Parents

Verse 26 declares that children who squander the family substance or expel aged parents from the family home cause shame and reproach upon the father and mother they are obligated to honor, Exodus 20:12; 2 Samuel 15:6-14; Proverbs 17:2; Proverbs 28:24. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees who disregarded their obligation to parents, Mark 7:9-13.

Verse 27

Disregard of Truth

Verse 27 (disregarding supplied words in italics) commands the son to cease to hear instruction if you intend to err from the knowledge it conveys. This admonition is in harmony with Proverbs 17:16 and Peter’s teaching that it is better to not know the way of righteousness than to know and turn away, 2 Peter 2:21.

Verses 28-29

Fate of Scorners

Verses 28-29 emphasize the perfidy of the ungodly who scorn divine judgment, lie, cheat and sin with abandon; and accept iniquity with delight as if it were choice food and -drink. For such the consequences are severe, Job 15:16; Job 20:5-7; Proverbs 1:24-32. See also comments on Proverbs 19:25.