Proverbs 27:3-6 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:2-21

The praise of man How far we should go in praising others, and in what spirit we should accept their praise, is a matter of no small importance in the conduct of life. I. THE DUTY OF PRAISING OTHERS . "Let another man praise thee" can hardly be said to be imperative so far as he is concerned. But it suggests the propriety of another man speaking in words of commendation. And the duty of praising those who have done well is a much-forgotten and neglected virtue. I. It is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:3

A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; literally, heaviness of a stone , weight of the sand . The substantives are more forcible than the corresponding adjectives would be: the versions rather weaken the form of the expression by rendering, Grave est saxum , etc. The quality in the things mentioned is weight, heaviness, ponderosity; that is what we are bidden regard. A fool's wrath is heavier than them both. The ill temper and anger of a headstrong fool, which he vents on those... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:4

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous. Again substantives are used, as in Proverbs 27:3 , "Cruelty of wrath, and overflowing of anger." Figure to yourself the fierceness and cruelty of a sudden excitement of anger, or the bursting forth of passion which, like a flood, carries all before it; these may be violent for a time, yet they will subside when they have spent themselves. But who is able to stand before envy? or rather, jealousy . The reference is not so much to the general... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:5

Open rebuke is better than secret love. Love that is hidden and never discloses itself in acts of self-denial or generosity, especially that which from fear of offending does not rebuke a friend, nor speak the truth in love ( Ephesians 4:15 ), when there is good reason for such openness—such disguised love is worse, more objectionable, less beneficial, than the plain speaking which bravely censures a fault, and dares to correct what is wrong by well-timed blame. To hold back blame, it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:5-19

Four services of friendship (And see homily on "Friendship," Proverbs 13:20 .) We have suggested in the nineteenth verse two conditions of friendship: There can be no true friendship where one heart does not answer to another as the face reflected from a mirror answers to that which is before it. Men must be like minded in their principles and sympathies; and they must be sensitive enough to feel with one another and to give back the thoughts which are expressed by one or the other,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:6

Faithful are the wounds of friend . This and the next verse afford examples of the antithetic form of proverb, where the second line gives, as it were, the reverse side of the picture presented by the first. The wounds which a real friend inflicts by his just rebukes are directed by truth and discriminating affection (see Psalms 141:5 ). But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. So St. Jerome, Fraudulenta oscula odientis . But the verb here used ( עתר ) has the meaning, among... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:6

The wounds of a friend. The principle implied in this verse is apparent at a glance. It is better that one who loves and truly considers the interests of another should wound him for his good than that a superficial flatterer should refrain from doing so for the sake of pleasing and winning continuous favour. The only difficulties lie in the practical application of the principle. I. TRUE FRIENDSHIP WILL DARE TO WOUND . It is painful and difficult to do that which we know... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 27:3

Proverbs 27:3. A stone is heavy, &c., but a fool’s wrath is heavier More grievous and intolerable, as being without cause, without measure, and without end. “Fools and unskilful people,” says Melancthon, “are more apt to be angry than others, because they consider not the infirmity of mankind, and that there are many errors of others which ought to be borne withal, and cured after a gentle manner. For, as goodness is most eminent in God, who himself bears with many evils in us, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 27:4

Proverbs 27:4. Wrath is cruel And doth many barbarous things; and anger is outrageous Often depriving a man of the proper use of his reason, and hurrying him into many mischiefs and miseries; but who is able to stand before envy? Envy is worse than both of them, 1st, Because it is more unjust and unreasonable, as not being caused by any provocation, as wrath and anger are; but proceeding from mere malignity of mind, whereby a man is grieved for another man’s happiness, in which he ought... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 27:5-6

Proverbs 27:5-6. Open rebuke is better than secret love “He that takes an ingenuous liberty to tell others of their faults, and rebukes them freely, when need requires, to their face, is a better friend, a more valuable, though, perhaps, he may please less, than he who hath more of the passion of love in his heart, but makes it not known by such good effects. The parable, says Lord Bacon, reprehends the soft nature of such friends as will not use the privilege which friendship gives them,... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:2-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:5-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 27:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 27:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 27:5-6

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