4. Further advice for pleasing God 19:1-22:16As was true in the chapter 10-15 section, this one (Proverbs 16:1 to Proverbs 22:16) also becomes more difficult to outline as it ends, because there are fewer groupings of proverbs. read more
1. Fool] read, ’rich’ (Proverbs 28:6). 2. Read, ’Also, desire without knowledge,’ etc. Desires must be controlled by knowledge. The hasty in action will miss his mark. ’While the discreet advise, the fool doth his business.’3. Perverteth] RV ’subverteth.’ It is his own fault, yet he blames God for it. 6. Great nobles and great donors are always sought after.10. Delight] RV ’delicate living.’ He cannot appreciate refinement. Slaves have often risen to great power in the East: the danger is that... read more
(3) The foolishness of man perverteth his way.—A man’s own self-will (Proverbs 1:7) overturns his way. stops his progress, whether in temporal or spiritual matters, and then, instead of blaming himself, “his heart fretteth against the Lord.” (Comp. Isaiah 8:21; Revelation 16:10-11.) read more
CHAPTER 20HUMAN FREEDOM"The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against the Lord."- Proverbs 19:3THERE is such a valuable expansion and commentary on this proverb in the book of Ecclesiasticus that it seems worthwhile to quote it in full: "Say not, it is through the Lord that I fell away, for the things He hates thou shalt not do. Say not, it is He that caused me to err, for He has no use for a sinful man. Every abomination the Lord hates, neither is it lovely to those... read more
CHAPTER 19:1-19 Further Proverbs on Personal Instruction One may be poor, but walking in integrity, he is far ahead of him who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. Then we find proverbs about fretting against the Lord; warning against false witness and speaking lies and other matters. We call special attention to Proverbs 19:12 . The King’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion. But his favour is as dew upon the grass. It may be applied to Him who is The Lamb of God and also the Lion of the... read more
In these chapters we have a series of exhortations to a life of godliness expressed in general terms about as follows: 1. Confidence in God as a wise ruler (chap. 16) 2. A disposition of peacefulness and contentment (chap. 17) 3. The virtues of affability, fidelity, and others of a social nature (chap. 18) 4. Humility and meekness (chap. 19) 5. Sobriety, diligence and kindness (chap. 21) 6. Justice, patience, submission (chap. 21) 7. The attainment and preservation of a good name (chap. 22) 8.... read more
Man's Chief Business, Etc. Proverbs 19:0 It might be supposed that by the term "wisdom" some form of intellectual life and energy was signified; then the passage would read, He that is of capacious and brilliant mind, equal to the handling of any difficult mental question, is one who loveth his own soul. That, however, is not the meaning of the word "wisdom." In this connection we are to understand by "wisdom" the heart or the moral nature, and then the passage will read, He that keepeth his... read more
Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and... read more
Fretteth. Literally, "burneth." Septuagint, "blameth." Hebrew, "his heart rageth against the Lord." (Haydock) --- Thus Adam tacitly laid the blame on him, as all those who excuse themselves on account of their temper, habits, stars, the violence of temptation, &c. (Calmet) read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 19:3
3. perverteth . . . way—turns him back from right (Proverbs 13:6; James 1:13); and he blames God for his failures. read more