Proverbs 18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:7

A fool's mouth is his destruction ,.... The cause of it; for his contentions, and quarrels, and evil speaking, lawsuits are commenced against him, which bring ruin upon himself and his family now; as well as for his idle and wicked words he will be condemned hereafter, Matthew 12:35 ; there is a world of iniquity in the mouth and tongue of a wicked man, which bring destruction upon himself and others, James 3:6 ; and his lips are the snare of his soul ; from speaking in his own... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:8

The words of a talebearer are as wounds ,.... Or rather they are wounds; they wound the credit and reputation of the person of whom the tale is told; they wound the person to whom it is told, and destroy his love and affection to his friend; and in the issue they wound, hurt, and ruin the talebearer himself. Or, they are "as of those that are wounded" F13 כמתלהמים "similia sunt verbis eorum, qui saepenumero contusi sunt", Junius & Tremellius; "ut contusorum", Cocceius. ; they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:9

He also that is slothful in his work ,.... Remiss in it; hangs down his hands, and does not care to make use of them, but neglects his business: is brother to him that is a great waster : a prodigal man, who spends his substance in riotous living: the sluggard and the prodigal are brethren in iniquity; for, though they take different courses, they are both sinful, and issue in the same manner; both bring to poverty and want. Or, "brother to a master that wastes" F16 לבעל משחית ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower ,.... By "the name of the Lord" may be meant, either the attributes and perfections of God, by which he is made known, and which are the strength and security of his people; his goodness, grace, and mercy, are their defence; his favour encompasses them about, as a shield; his justice protects them from all injuries and insults; his truth and faithfulness preserve them; they are kept by his power, as in a garrison; and his unchangeableness is a reason... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:11

The rich man's wealth is his strong city ,.... In which he dwells, over which he presides; in which he places his trust and confidence, and thinks himself safe from every enemy and from all trouble: as one F19 Jermin its loc. observes, "the abundance of a rich man's wealth he conceives to be as it were the abundance of people in a "city"; the telling of his money he imagines to be the walking of people up and down the streets; his bags standing thick together to be so many houses... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:12

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty ,.... Lifted up with his riches. Rich men are apt to be highminded, and therefore are to be charged and cautioned against it; they are apt to look above their poor neighbours, and with contempt upon them; and very often this haughtiness of theirs is a presage of their ruin and destruction: and those haughty airs are put on from the pride of their hearts, when a "breach" is near, as the word F21 לפני שבר "ante confractionem", Junius &... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:13

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it ,.... Who is impatient, and cannot wait to hear it out, but breaks in upon the speaker before he has finished what he has to say; or is rash and precipitate, and returns an answer at once, without weighing and considering, and thoroughly understanding, what is said: it is folly and shame unto him ; his answer must be a foolish one, and bring shame and confusion upon him; men should be "swift to hear", and "slow to speak", James 1:9 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:14

The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity ,.... The spirit of a mighty man, as Jarchi; a man of spirit, that has a spirit of fortitude, even of natural fortitude, and especially of Christian fortitude; that has a spirit of might upon him, of power, and sound mind; a man of a Christian spirit, that is renewed in the spirit of his mind; who is a spiritual man, and has the Spirit of God in him, as well as a rational soul, an immaterial, immortal, and never dying substance. Such a man will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:15

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge ,.... More knowledge; for he must have some, and a considerable share, to be denominated "prudent", whether in things natural, civil, or spiritual: and such will be heartily desirous of more, and make use of all means to attain it, by which they do come at a large share of it; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge ; a wise man seeks to get it by hearing; he listens to what others say, and especially such that are wiser and more knowing than... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:16

A man's gift maketh room for him ,.... Or "enlarges him" F25 ירחיב . ; brings him out of prison, or, or out of straits and difficulties with which he, has, been pressed; or it makes way for him to a judge, and for a favourable hearing of his cause; or it enlarges his acquaintance, and gains him respect among men; and bringeth him before great men ; it opens a way for him into the presence and company of great men, being a fee to their servants; or with it he procures a place to... read more

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