Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Proverbs
Book: Proverbs
Chapter: 27
Overview:
1 We know not what a
Day may bring forth. This does not forbid
preparing for to-morrow, but presuming upon to-morrow. We must
not
Put off the great work of
Conversion, that one thing
needful. 2. There may be occasion for us to justify ourselves,
but not to praise ourselves. 3,4. Those who have
No command of
their passions, sink under the load. 5,6.
Plain and
Faithful
rebukes are better, not only than secret
Hatred, but than
Love
which compliments in
Sin, to the hurt of the soul. 7. The
Poor
have a better relish of their enjoyments, and are often more
thankful for them, than the rich. In like manner the proud and
self-sufficient disdain the
Gospel; but those who hunger and
thirst after
Righteousness, find comfort from the meanest
Book
or sermon that testifies of
Christ Jesus. 8. Every
Man has his
proper place in society, where he may be safe and comfortable.
9,10. Depend not for relief upon a
Kinsman, merely for
kindred's sake; apply to those who are at
Hand, and will help in
need. But there is a Friend that sticketh closer than a
Brother,
and let us place entire confidence in him. 11. An affectionate
parent urges his son to prudent conduct that should gladden his
Heart. The good conduct of Christians is the best answer to all
who find fault with the
Gospel. 12. Where there is
Temptation,
if we thrust ourselves into it, there will be
Sin, and
Punishment will follow. 13. An honest
Man may be made a
beggar, but he is not honest that makes himself one. 14. It is
folly to be fond of being praised; it is a
Temptation to pride.
15,16. The contentions of a neighbour may be like a sharp
shower, troublesome for a time; the contentions of a
Wife are
like constant
Rain. 17. We are cautioned to take heed whom we
converse with. And directed to have in view, in
Conversation, to
make one another wiser and better. 18. Though a
Calling be
laborious and despised, yet those who keep to it, will find
there is something to be got
By it.
God is a Master who has
engaged to honour those who serve him faithfully. 19. One
corrupt
Heart is like another;
So are sanctified hearts: the
former
Bear the same image of the earthly, the latter the same
image of the heavenly. Let us carefully watch our own hearts,
comparing them with the
Word of God. 20. Two things are here
said to be never satisfied,
Death and
Sin. The appetites of the
Carnal mind for profit or pleasure are always desiring more.
Those whose eyes are ever toward the
Lord, are satisfied in him,
and shall for ever be
So. 21.
Silver and
Gold are tried
By
putting them into the
Furnace and fining-pot;
So is a
Man tried
By praising him. 22. Some are
So bad, that even severe methods
do not answer the
End; what remains but that they should be
rejected? The new-creating power of
God's
Grace alone is able to
make a change. 23-27. We ought to have some business to do in
this world, and not to live in idleness, and not to meddle with
what we do not understand. We must be diligent and take pains.
Let us do what we can, still the world cannot be secured to us,
therefore we must choose a more lasting portion; but
By the
blessing of
God upon our honest labours, we may expect to enjoy
as much of earthly blessings as is good for us.