Proverbs 18:21. Life and death are in the power of the tongue Are brought upon men by the good or bad use of their tongues; and they that love it Namely, the tongue; that love much talking; shall eat the fruit thereof Shall receive either good or evil according to the quality of their speeches. read more
Proverbs 18:22. Whoso findeth a wife A good wife; one that deserves the name, and performs the duty of that relation. Thus Houbigant interprets it after many of the versions: see Proverbs 19:14. Findeth a good thing A singular blessing; and obtaineth favour of the Lord Obtaineth her, not by his own wisdom, or art, or endeavours, merely or chiefly, but by God’s good providence toward him, which orders that and all other events as it pleases him. The LXX. and Vulgate read at the end of... read more
Real strength (18:1-24)When people become too confident in their own opinions, they are liable to break away from former friends. They become unreasonable in discussion and blind to the viewpoints of others. Those who despise others will themselves be disgraced (18:1-3). The words of the wise bring refreshment, but those of a fool or a gossip bring destruction (4-8).Those who leave work undone are almost as bad as those who wreck what already has been done (9). Those who trust in God know they... read more
power. Hebrew "hand", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the power put forth by it. the tongue. Illustrations: the ten spies (Numbers 14:36 , Numbers 14:37 ); Doeg (1 Samuel 22:9 , 1 Samuel 22:10 ); Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:28 , 2 Kings 18:35 ; 2 Kings 19:22-35 . 2 Chronicles 32:21 ); Ammonites (Ezekiel 25:3-7 ); Sapphira (Acts 5:5-10 ); Esther (Esther 7:0 and Esther 8:0 ); Paul (Acts 16:28-34 ); the Gospel (Romans 1:16 . 2 Corinthians 2:16 ). read more
a wife. Some codices, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read, "a good wife". Compare Proverbs 19:14 . read more
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."The thought here is parallel with the previous proverb; but it adds an inference that, "One should not fall in love with talking too much." read more
"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah."This writer has performed many wedding ceremonies, and this proverb was often quoted in the preliminary remarks. read more
Proverbs 18:22. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing— He who findeth a good wife, findeth a good thing. Houbigant, after many of the versions. See chap. Proverbs 19:14. The LXX and Vulgate read at the end of this verse, He that putteth away a good wife putteth away a good thing, but he who retains an adulteress is foolish and wicked. read more
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 Proverbs 18:19; James 1:19). read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:22-24
Love in different relations I. CONJUGAL LOVE . ( Proverbs 18:22 .) The blessing of a good wife. "Young men's mistresses; companions for middle age; and old men's nurses" (Lord Bacon). On the choice of a with none but a recluse or a pedant would pretend to lay down infallible precepts or counsels. But every man who has been happy in the married relation will recognize his happiness as among the chiefest of blessings from above. It is indeed a good that is found, cannot be inherited... read more