21. Praise tests character. a man to his praise—according to his praise, as he bears it. Thus vain men seek it, weak men are inflated by it, wise men disregard it, &c. read more
3. Virtues and vices 27:1-22Many of the analogies in this pericope deal with virtues and vices that are characteristic of the wise and the foolish. read more
B. Instructive Analogies 25:2-27:22The emphasis in this section continues to be on wisdom and folly and their accompanying virtues and vices. read more
Sundry Observations. Agriculture4. Envy] a husband’s jealousy is meant (Song of Solomon 8:6). 5, 6. Men ’hide’ (RV) love when they refrain from telling a friend his faults. An enemy will be ’profuse’ (RV) in deceitful kisses: Judas kissed Jesus much (Matthew 26:49; RM). 7. The Spartan king told the tyrant Dionysius that the broth was nothing without the seasoning of fatigue and hunger. 8. ’East, West, hame’s best.’9. Sweetness of disposition is desirable when it arises, not from mere emotion,... read more
(21) So is a man to his praise—i.e., as the fining-pot and furnace test the metals put into them, so does that on which a man prides or boasts himself. Observe what this is—e.g., wealth, or show, or popularity, or duty—and you will see what sort of a man he is. Or it may mean, praise—i.e., popularity, is as great a trial to a man as the fining-pot to silver; he must be of good metal if he comes unhurt out of this. Or, again, it may signify, let a man test his praise—i.e., examine by whom and... read more
A Threefold Cord (for the First Sunday of the Year) Proverbs 27:1 This is not a commonplace. Nothing in God's Word is commonplace. Nothing inspired by the Holy Ghost could be commonplace. If you think it is a commonplace sentiment, I can tell you are commonplace. It is the deepest and truest philosophy of life. 'Thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.' And it is the very best philosophy by which to stimulate us Christians for the beginning of the new year. First of all, there is the... read more
CHAPTER 28LIVING DAY BY DAY"Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day will bring forth."- Proverbs 27:1"The grave and destruction are never satisfied; and the eyes of men are never satisfied"; and LXX adds, "An abomination to the Lord is he who sets his eye, and undisciplined men uncontrolled in tongue."- Proverbs 27:20"Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof, so he that waits on his Lord eats of the honor."- Proverbs 27:18HERE is a wholesome lesson for us.... read more
V. INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO SOLOMON In the three chapters which follow 27-29 we find the change we have noticed before. These proverbs are addressed to a person and the phrases “My son” and the personal address, “thou,” “thy” and “thyself,” are again used in these chapters. Like the previous sections, so here we find instructions which were given to Solomon. CHAPTER 27 Instructions and Warnings The opening proverb warns against procrastination. No one can be sure of what the next day may bring... read more
27:21 [As] the refining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so [is] a man to his {i} praise.(i) That is, he is either known to be ambitious and glorious, or humble and modest. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 27:21
Proverbs 27:21. So is a man to his praise— The LXX read, And a man is tried by the mouth of those who praise him; and so Houbigant renders it. The meaning is, "That the mind of man is as easily discovered and tried by praises and encomiums, as gold or silver is by fire." The poet says well, Cum quis te laudat, judex tuus esse memento. Plus aliis de te, quam tu tibi credere noli.* [* When others praise thee, remember thou art the best judge of thyself. Be on thy guard, not to believe more in... read more