Commentary on Proverbs 18

(Pro. 18:1-24)

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).

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

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.

Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.

accept the person--(Compare Psa 82:2). "It is not good" is to be supplied before "to overthrow."

The quarrelsome bring trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them (Pro 6:2).

(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).

One by failing to get, the other by wasting wealth, grows poor.

waster--literally, "master of washing," a prodigal.

name of the Lord--manifested perfections (Psa 8:1; Psa 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, &c., on which men rely.

is safe--literally, "set on high, out of danger" (Psa 18:2; Psa 91:4).

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

(Compare Pro 15:33; Pro 16:18).

Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Pro 26:12).

infirmity--bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.

(Compare Pro 1:5, Pro 1:15, Pro 1:31).

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

One-sided statements are not reliable.

searcheth--thoroughly (Pro 17:9, Pro 17:19).

The lot--whose disposal is of God (Pro 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.

No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.

(Compare Pro 12:14; Pro 13:2). Men's words are the fruit, or, increase of his lips, and when good, benefit them.

satisfied with--(Compare Pro 1:31; Pro 14:14).

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).

The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Pro 19:14 imply (compare Pro 31:10).

the rich . . . roughly--He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.

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.

Next: Proverbs Chapter 19