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James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 12:16

"A fools vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.""A fool is quick to show annoyance, but a shrewd man retains his retort."[23] "Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 12:17

"He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness; But a false witness, deceit.""Most of the proverbs in the rest of this chapter deal with the tongue. There are a hundred verses in this whole book that deal, one way or another, with the use of the tongue."[24] It may be a source of life or death. The sacred writer James devotes the greater part of his James 3 to the truth regarding the tongue. It is like a wild beast that cannot be tamed; it must be bridled and controlled. "The reference... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 12:18

"There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health."Toy's rendition is: "Some men's chatter is like sword-thrusts, but the tongue of the wise is healing."[26] read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 12:19

"The lip of truth shall be established forever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.""True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue."[27] The permanence of truth as contrasted with error is stated here. "Truth crushed to earth shall rise again, But wounded error writhes in pain"[28] read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 12:20

"Deceit is in the heart of them that are evil; But to the counselors of peace is joy.""Injustice is the purpose of those who devise evil, but they whose plans promote well-being are just."[29] It is evident that some of the renditions cited here have been achieved, either by emending the text, or by adjusting the clauses to form an antithesis. Others simply make a paraphrase, or even invent their own proverb. "Evil people always want to cause trouble, but people who work for peace will be... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 12:21

"There shall be no mischief happen to the righteous; But the wicked shall be filled with evil."Toy preserved the form of the antithesis thus: "No mischief befalls the righteous, but the wicked are full of misfortune."[31] read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 12:22

"Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; But they that deal truly are his delight."This verse is quite similar to Proverbs 11:20, and our comments there are applicable here. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 12:23

"A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness."Keil's rendition is: "A prudent man conceals knowledge, and a heart-fool proclaims imbecility."[32] Moffatt has; "No cautious man blurts out all that he knows, but a fool comes out with his folly."[33] read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 12:24

"The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; But the slothful shall be put under taskwork."The mention of taskwork here reminds us that, "Forced labor was Solomon's own inglorious introduction in Israel."[34] We might add that it was also the sin that divided the kingdom and disrupted the reign of Rehoboam, Solomon's son. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 12:25

"Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good work maketh it glad.""A word of terror disturbs the heart of a (righteous) man, but a good message will gladden him."[35] In the first clause, the subject is anxiety; and the Savior, "Bids us beware of anxiety, and not to perplex ourselves with solicitude for the future (Matthew 6:34; 1 Peter 5:7)."[36] read more

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