Proverbs 24:9

9 The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to all.

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 fools; in the gate they do not open their mouths.
8 Whoever plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker.
9 The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to all.
10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength being small;
11 if you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death, those who go staggering to the slaughter;
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.