Jamieson, Fausset & Brown :: Commentary on Proverbs 18

The Book of Proverbs

Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET

CHAPTER 18

      1. Through desire. . . seeketh--that is, seeks selfish gratification.
      intermeddleth. . . wisdom--or, "rushes on" ( Pro 17:14 ) against all wisdom, or what is valuable ( Pro 2:7 ).

      2. that his heart. . . itself--that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly ( Pro 12:23 15:2 ).

      3. So surely are sin and punishment connected ( Pro 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 Psa 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 ( Pro 6:2 ).

      8. (Compare Pro 16:28 ).
      as wounds--not sustained by the Hebrew; better, as "sweet morsels," which men gladly swallow.
      innermost. . . belly--the mind, or heart (compare Pro 20:27-30 Psa 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 ( Psa 8:1 20:2 ), as faithfulness, power, mercy, &c., on which men rely.
      is safe--literally, "set on high, out of danger" ( Psa 18:2 91:4 ).

      11. contrasts with Pro 18:10 (compare Pro 10:15 ). Such is a vain trust (compare Psa 73:6 ).

      12. (Compare Pro 15:33 16:18 ).

      13. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame ( Pro 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 Pro 1:5, 15, 31 ).

      16. (Compare Pro 17:8, 23 ). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.

      17. One-sided statements are not reliable.
      searcheth--thoroughly ( Pro 17:9, 19 ).

      18. The lot--whose disposal is of God ( Pro 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 Pro 12:14 13:2 ). Men's words are the fruit, or, increase of his lips, and when good, benefit them.
      satisfied with--(Compare Pro 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 Pro 18:19 Jam 1:19 ).

      22. The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Pro 19:14 imply (compare Pro 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 ( Psa 108:9 ), or, shout for joy ( Psa 5:11 ), that is, may congratulate himself." Indeed, there is a Friend who is better than a brother; such is the "Friend of sinners" [ Mat 11:19 Luk 7:34 ], who may have been before the writer's mind.