The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:13-16
Proverbs concerning the sluggard. read more
Proverbs 26
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:13-16
The vice of idleness I. IT IS FULL OF EXCUSES . ( Proverbs 26:13 .) There is always some pretext for evading duty, however frivolous and absurd, with the idle man. Idleness is the parent of almost every sin; here of cowardice, he who excuses, accuses himself. Every manly act of exertion is imagined to be full of danger by the lazy mind. The sluggard does not see what danger of another and deadlier kind there is in stagnation. Danger is the brave man's opportunity, difficulty... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:14
As the door turneth upon its hinges. The door moves on its hinges and makes no progress beyond its own confined sphere of motion; so the slothful man turns himself on his bed from side to side, but never leaves it to do his. work. Other analogies have been found in this proverb. Thus: The door opens to let the diligent go forth to his daily business, while the sluggard is rolling upon his bed; the door creaks when it is moved, so the lazy man groans when he is aroused; the door now is... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:15
Very nearly identical with Proverbs 19:24 . It forms a climax to the two preceding verses. Wordsworth takes "the dish" as a type of sensual pleasure, which the slothful loves, while he has no liking for active work. read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:16
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit. The sluggard is here one who is too idle to think a matter out, and considers his own cursory view as sure to be right. He is one who deems study to be an unnecessary weariness of the flesh ( Ecclesiastes 12:12 ), and flatters himself that he is quite able without it to give a satisfactory account of any question presented to him. Than seven men that can render a reason. "Seven" is the number of completeness (comp. Proverbs 6:31 ; Proverbs 9:1... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:17
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him. "Meddleth with strife" should be "vexes, excites himself, with a quarrel." Is like one that taketh a dog by the ears, and thus needlessly provokes him to bark and bite. Regarding the position of the two participles in this verse, without any connecting link, Delitzsch takes "passing by" as attributed to the dog, thus: "He seizes by the ears a dog passing by, who is excited by a strife that concerns him not." The stray dog... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:17-19
Wanton petulance I. MEDDLING IN OTHERS ' QUARRELS . ( Proverbs 26:17 .) By a very homely image the folly of this is marked. To interfere in disputes which do not concern one is to get hurt one's self. No doubt the proverb admits of a very selfish application. We may excuse indifference to right on such a plea. But a true instinct of Christian justice and love will find a middle course. We should be sure of our call to act before we meddle in others' affairs. It is rare that it... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:17-28
A series of proverbs connected more or less with peacefulness and its opposite. read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:18-19
A tetrastich, but without parallelisms. As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death. The word rendered "madman" is an ἅπαξ λεγόμενον , and has been variously explained; but the Authorized Version is probably correct. "Firebrands" are darts with some blazing material attached to them. "Death "forms a climax with the other dangers mentioned, which the madman deals forth recklessly and indiscriminately. So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport? ... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:13
(See homily on Proverbs 22:13 .)—C. read more