Proverbs 18
CHAPTER 18
1. Through desire . . . seeketh--that is, seeks selfish gratification.
intermeddleth . . . wisdom--or, "rushes on" ( Proverbs 17:14 ) against all wisdom, or what is valuable ( Proverbs 2:7 ).
2. that his heart . . . itself--that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly ( Proverbs 12:23 , 15:2 ).
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.
4. Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.
5. accept the person--(Compare Psalms 82:2 ). "It is not good" is to be supplied before "to overthrow."
6, 7. The quarrelsome bring trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them ( Proverbs 6:2 ).
8. (Compare Proverbs 16:28 ).
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 ).
9. One by failing to get, the other by wasting wealth, grows poor.
waster--literally, "master of washing," a prodigal.
10. name of the Lord--manifested perfections ( Psalms 8:1 , 20:2 ), as faithfulness, power, mercy, &c., on which men rely.
is safe--literally, "set on high, out of danger" ( Psalms 18:2 , 91:4 ).
11. contrasts with Proverbs 18:10 (compare Proverbs 10:15 ). Such is a vain trust (compare Psalms 73:6 ).
12. (Compare Proverbs 15:33 , 16:18 ).
13. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame ( Proverbs 26:12 ).
14. infirmity--bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.
15. (Compare Proverbs 1:5 Proverbs 1:15 Proverbs 1:31 ).
16. (Compare Proverbs 17:8 Proverbs 17:23 ). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.
17. One-sided statements are not reliable.
searcheth--thoroughly ( Proverbs 17:9 Proverbs 17:19 ).
18. The lot--whose disposal is of God ( Proverbs 16:13 ), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.
19. No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.
20. (Compare Proverbs 12:14 , 13:2 ). Men's words are the fruit, or, increase of his lips, and when good, benefit them.
satisfied with--(Compare Proverbs 1:31 , 14:14 ).
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 , 1:19 ).
22. The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Proverbs 19:14 imply (compare Proverbs 31:10 ).
23. the rich . . . roughly--He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.
24. A man . . . friendly--better, "A man . . . (is) to, or, may triumph ( Psalms 108:9 ), or, shout for joy ( Psalms 5:11 ), 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.