Men do therefore fear him
Or should, because of his greatness in power, judgment, and justice; and because of his goodness, in not afflicting for his pleasure's sake, but for the profit of men; and therefore they should reverence and adore him, submit to his will, patiently bear afflictions, serve him internally and externally, with reverence and godly fear;
he respecteth not any [that are] wise of heart;
that are wise in a natural sense: these are not always regarded by God, or are his favourites; neither temporal blessings, nor special grace, or the knowledge of spiritual things, are always given to the wise and prudent, ( Ecclesiastes 9:11 ) ( Matthew 11:25 ) . Or that are wise in their own conceit; there is a woe to such; and there is more hope of a fool than of him, ( Isaiah 5:21 ) ( Proverbs 26:12 ) . Or he is not "afraid" of them F3, as some choose to render the word; he fears not to reprove them and correct them for their faults, or the schemes they form to counterwork him; for he can take them in their craftiness, and carry their counsel headlong. Or "every wise in heart shall not see him" F4: the world by wisdom knows him not; nor can any look into his heart, his thoughts, purposes, and designs, and into the causes and reasons of his actions; nor have those that are truly wise perfect vision and knowledge of him now, ( 1 Corinthians 13:9 1 Corinthians 13:12 ) .