Proverbs 18

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:13

He that answereth a matter, etc. Thus Ecclesiasticus 11:8, "Answer not before thou hast heard the, cause; neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk." A reminiscence of the passage occurs in the Talmud ('Aboth.' 5. 10), "I weighed all things in the balance, and found nothing lighter than meal; lighter than meal is the betrothed man who dwells in the house of his intended father-in-law; lighter than he is a guest who introduces a friend; and lighter than he is the man who answers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:13

The folly of hasty judgment We may observe some of the cases in which this folly of answering a matter before it is heard is commonly practised. I. THE SOCIAL RELATIONS . Men are often too quick in forming their opinions of other people. A superficial glance is considered enough for an irrevocable verdict. The sentence is pronounced and the neighbour is characterized before he has had a fair chance of revealing his true nature. 1 . This is ungenerous. We ought to give a man... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:14

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity. That high property or faculty of man called "spirit" enables the body to bear up against trouble and sickness (comp. Proverbs 17:22 ). The influence of the mind over the body, in a general sense, is here expressed. But taking "spirit" in the highest sense, in the trichotomy of human nature, we see an intimation that the grace of God, the supernatural infusion of his presence, is that which strengthens the man and makes him able to endure with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:14

Strong in spirit This thought is near akin to that of Proverbs 17:22 , where the medicinal properties of a merry heart are commended. But there is some difference between the two. Both ascribe vital energy to the inner life, and commend such a cultivation of it as shall conquer weakness and suffering; but the verse now before us treats of vigour of spirit, while the earlier passage commends cheerfulness. I. A MAN 'S TRUE STRENGTH RESIDES IN HIS INNER LIFE . Samson... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:14

The wounded spirit How much is a man better than a sheep? By the whole range of his spiritual nature. The joys and sorrows of a man are those of his spirit; yet no inconsiderable proportion of his experiences come to him through the flesh. The text tells us— I. THAT THE CONQUERING SPIRIT WITHIN US TRIUMPHS OVER THE BODILY INFIRMITY . There have been times when, and people by whom, the very worst bodily afflictions have been borne with lofty indifference or with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:15

The first clause is similar to Proverbs 15:14 ; the second gives a kind of explanation of the former—the understanding of the wise man is always expanding and increasing its stores, because his ear is open to instruction, and his ability grows by wholesome exercise (comp. Proverbs 1:5 ). Daath, "knowledge," which is used in both clauses, the LXX . translates by two words, αἴσθησιν and ἔννοιαν . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:16

A man's gift maketh room for him (comp. Proverbs 19:6 ). Mattam, "gift," has been taken in different senses. Some consider it to mean a bribe offered for underhand or fraudulent purposes; but the context does not lead to this conclusion, and the parallel passage mentioned above makes against it. Hitzig sees in it a spiritual gift, equivalent to χάρισμα ; but such a meaning is not elsewhere attached to the word. The term here signifies the present which duty or friendship offers to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:17

He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; Revised Version, he that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just. A man who tells his own story, and is the first to open his case before the judge or a third party, seems tot the moment to have justice on his side. But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out ( Proverbs 28:11 ). The "neighbour" is the opposing party— ὁ ἀντίδικος Septuagint, which recalls Matthew 5:25 —he sifts and scrutinizes the statements already given, shows... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:17

Private judgment The Protestant claim to the right of private judgment is not without its limitations. Applied to general truths it is unanswerable; but carried out in personal affairs it is often very dangerous. Every man may say that he is the best judge of what concerns himself. But two considerations modify that contention. 1 . No one truly knows himself. 2 . A man's doings are not confined to himself. They cross the boundaries of other lives and interests. Therefore, while s... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:17

Hear the other side There is no truer, as there is no homelier maxim, than that we should "hear the other side," or—what is virtually the same thing—"there are two sides to everything." This is the idea in the text; the lessons are— I. WE SHOULD NOT EXPECT ABSOLUTE ACCURACY WHEN A MAN TELLS HIS OWN CASE . 1 . He may intentionally misrepresent it. 2 . He may unconsciously misstate it. How things shape themselves to our mind depends on our individual... read more

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