Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Proverbs
Book: Proverbs
Chapter: 18
Overview:
1 If we would get knowledge and
Grace, we must try all methods
of improving ourselves. 2. Those make nothing to purpose, of
learning or religion, whose only design is to have something to
make a show with. 3. As soon as
Sin entered, shame followed.
4. The
Well-
Spring of
Wisdom in the
Heart of a believer,
continually supplies words of
Wisdom. 5. The merits of a cause
must be looked to, not the person. 6,7. What mischief bad men
do to themselves
By their ungoverned
Tongues! 8. How base are
those that sow contention! and what fatal effects may be
expected from small beginnings of
Jealousy! 9. Omissions of
duty, and in duty, are fatal to the soul, as
Well as commissions
of
Sin. 10,11. The Divine power, made known in and through our
Lord Jesus Christ, forms a strong tower for the believer, who
relies
On the
Lord. How deceitful the defence of the rich
Man,
who has his portion and treasure in this world! It is a strong
City and a high
Wall only in his own conceit; for it will fail
when most in need. They will be exposed to the just wrath of
that
Judge whom they despised as a
Saviour. 12. After the
Heart has been lifted up with pride, a fall comes. But honour
shall be the reward of
Humility. 13. Eagerness, with
self-conceit, will expose to shame. 14. Firmness of mind
supports under many pains and trials. But when the
Conscience is
tortured with remorse,
No human fortitude can
Bear the misery;
what then will
Hell be? 15. We must get knowledge, not only
into our heads, but into our hearts. 16. Blessed be the
Lord,
who makes us welcome to come to his
Throne, without
Money and
without price. May his
Gifts make room for him in our souls.
17. It is
Well to listen to our enemies, that we may form a
better
Judgment of ourselves. 18. It was customary sometimes
to refer matters to
God,
By casting lots, with solemn
Prayer.
The profaning the
Lot,
By using it in matters of diversion, or
coveting what belongs to others, forms an objection to this now.
19. Great care must be taken to prevent quarrels among
relations and those under obligations to each other.
Wisdom and
Grace make it easy to forgive; but corruption makes it
difficult. 20. The
Belly is here
Put for the
Heart, as
elsewhere; and what that is filled with, our satisfaction will
be accordingly, and our inward peace. 21. Many a one has
caused his own
Death, or the
Death of others,
By a false or
injurious tongue. 22. A good
Wife is a great blessing to a
Man, and it is a token of Divine favour. 23. Poverty tells men
they must not order or demand. And at the
Throne of
God's
Grace
we are all
Poor, and must use entreaties. 24.
Christ Jesus
never will forsake those who trust in and
Love him. May we be
such friends to others, for our Master's sake. Having loved his
own, which were in the world, he loved them unto the
End; and we
are his friends if we do whatever he commands us, Joh 15:14.