Proverbs 24:31

31 If thou let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.

Proverbs 24:31 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 24:31

And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns
Or "thistles" ^F25; which grow up of themselves, are the fruit of the curse, and the effect of slothfulness; [and] nettles had covered the face thereof;
so that nothing was to be seen but thorns and thistles, nettles and weeds; and such is the case of the souls of men when neglected, and no concern is had for them; so it is with carnal and worldly professors, who are overrun with the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things, comparable to thorns and nettles for their piercing and stinging nature, and the unfruitfulness and unprofitableness of them; such are the thorny ground hearers, ( Matthew 13:22 ) ; and such is the case of all unregenerate persons, whose souls are like an uncultivated field, and a neglected vineyard; in which grow naturally the weeds of sin and corruption, comparable to thorns and nettles for their spontaneous production, for the number of them, for their unfruitfulness, and for the pain and distress they bring when conscience is awakened; and because as such ground that bears thorns and nettles is nigh to cursing, and its end to be burned, which is their case; see ( Hebrews 6:8 ) ; and the stone wall thereof was broken down;
the fence about the fields, the wall about the vineyard, to keep out men and beasts; see ( Isaiah 5:2 ) ; which through slothfulness, and want of repair and keeping up, fell to decay, ( Ecclesiastes 10:18 ) ; and thus carnal professors and unregenerate men, having no guard upon themselves, are open and exposed to every sin, snare, and temptation; Satan has free egress and regress; the evil spirit can go out and come in when he pleases, and bring seven evil spirits more wicked than himself: indeed such is the evil heart of man that it needs no tempter; he is drawn aside of his own lust, and enticed; he is liable to every sin, and to fall into the utmost ruin; he has nothing to protect and defend him; not the Spirit, nor grace, nor power of God.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (Mynwvmq) "chamaeleones", Junius & Tremellius; "cardui", Piscator, Cocceius; "carduis", Michaelis, Schultens.

Proverbs 24:31 In-Context

29 Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.

30 A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.

31 If thou let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.

32 Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.

33 I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across breast.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gr. grass.