Proverbs 9:4

4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,

Proverbs 9:4 in Other Translations

4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

4 "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!" To him who lacks sense she says,

4 “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says,

4 "Are you confused about life, don't know what's going on? Come with me, oh come, have dinner with me!

4 "Whoever is inexperienced, enter here!" To the one who lacks sense, she says,

Proverbs 9:4 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 9:4

Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither
Into Wisdom's house, so well built and furnished; the church of Christ, as a house of instruction; a school, where such who are "simple", weak, and foolish, may learn. Here are many instructors; saints instruct one another; ministers of the word are teachers; yea, Father, Son, and Spirit, here teach and instruct, and none teach like them. Here many lessons are to be learned concerning themselves, concerning Christ, and concerning their duty to God and men; all sorts of persons may learn here, such who know ever so much or ever so little. Or let him turn in here, as into an inn, into which passengers or travellers turn for accommodations; see ( Proverbs 9:15 Proverbs 9:16 ) . The saints are travellers here, at a distance from their Father's house, and need refreshment by the way; the church of God is an inn of good accommodations; here is room enough to entertain them; here are good lodgings for rest and safety, and good provisions, and all of free cost. And now these are the words of Wisdom, or Christ, either in person, or by his maidens, his ministers, inviting such who are "simple" to turn in hither, and partake of the provisions in it; that is, not such who are quite stupid and insensible, sottish, incorrigible, and irreclaimable; but who are sensible of their folly and simplicity; who are but of weak capacities, apt to be credulous, and so easily imposed upon and deceived; [as for] him that wanteth understanding;
not the natural faculty of the understanding, nor an understanding of things natural and civil; but of things spiritual and evangelical, as of the grace of God; of salvation by Christ; of the work of the Spirit; of themselves and their state; of the Gospel, and the mysteries of it; and who are sensible of their ignorance and want of understanding; which is the first thing the Spirit of God convinces men of; or who are so in comparison of others, are weak in knowledge and experience. Now these Christ does not despise, but invites them into his house for instruction; and where can they be better? and who so fit and proper to be here, and be with Wisdom, than such as these? she saith to him:
as follows.

Proverbs 9:4 In-Context

2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city,

4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!” To those who have no sense she says,

5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.”

Cross References

• 1. S Proverbs 1:22
• 2. ver 16; S Proverbs 6:32