Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 18

Introduction

CHAPTER 18

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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.