Proverbs 24:9

9 The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men.

Proverbs 24:9 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 24:9

The thoughts of foolishness [is] sin
The thought of sin is sin F5, before it comes into action; the motions of sin in the mind, the workings of corrupt nature in the heart, the sinful desires of the flesh and of the mind: these are forbidden and condemned by the law of God as sin, which says, "Thou shall not covet", ( Exodus 20:17 ) , and stand in need of pardoning grace and mercy; see ( Romans 7:5 Romans 7:7 ) ( Acts 8:22 ) . Or, "the thoughts of a foolish man are sin" F6; that is, of a wicked man; in all whose thoughts God is not, but sin is; the imagination of the thoughts of his heart is evil, and that continually; he thinks of nothing else but sin, ( Genesis 6:5 ) ; and the scorner [is] an abomination to men;
who not only thinks ill of divine things, and despises them in his heart, which is only known to God; but scoffs at them with his lips, makes a jest of all that is good, derides religion and religious men; and to such he is an abomination: and indeed one that is proud and haughty, scorner is his name, and that deals in proud wrath, and scorns all around him, in whatsoever company he comes, and that ridicules every person, and every thing that is said in conversation, is usually hated and abhorred by all sorts of men.


FOOTNOTES:

F5 "Nam scelus intra se tacitum qui cogitat ullum, facti crimen habet", Juvenal. Satyr. 13. v. 209, 210.
F6 (tlwa) "stulti", Pagninus, Junius & Tremellius, Mercerus, Piscator, Gejerus.

Proverbs 24:9 In-Context

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate.
8 He that deviseth to do evil, Men shall call him a mischief-maker.
9 The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
10 If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small.
11 Deliver them that are carried away unto death, And those that are ready to be slain see that thou hold back.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.