Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:15

The lips of knowledge (a good understanding to guide the lips and a good elocution to diffuse the knowledge) are to be preferred far before gold, and pearl, and rubies; for, 1. They are more rare in themselves, more scarce and hard to be got. There is gold in many a man's pocket that has no grace in his heart. In Solomon's time there was plenty of gold (1 Kgs. 10:21) and abundance of rubies; every body wore them; they were to be bought in every town. But wisdom is a rare thing, a precious... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:16

Two sorts of persons are here spoken of that are ruining their own estates, and will be beggars shortly, and therefore are not to be trusted with any good security:?1. Those that will be bound for any body that will ask them, that entangle themselves in rash suretiship to oblige their idle companions; they will break at last, nay, they cannot hold out long; these waste by wholesale. 2. Those that are in league with abandoned women, that treat them, and court them, and keep company with them.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:15

There is gold, and a multitude of rubies ,.... A man may have a large quantity of either, or of both of thorn, as some men have; for there is much of them in the world, not only in mines and quarries, but in the houses and cabinets of men; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel ; knowledge even of things natural, and a gift of elocution to express it by, are a rare jewel, and much more precious than gold and rubies, than a multitude of them; these are not to be mentioned with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:16

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger ,.... Which a man is cautioned against, Proverbs 6:1 ; but if a man will be so weak and foolish, others ought to take care of him, and be cautious how they trust him; for he is in danger of being ruined by his suretyship, and therefore nothing should be lent him without a pledge, without a proper security; for though it was not lawful to take the garment of a poor man for a pledge, at least it was not to be kept after sunset, Exodus 22:26 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:15

There is gold - Gold is valuable, silver is valuable, and so are jewels; but the teachings of sound knowledge are more valuable than all. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:16

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger - I suppose the meaning to be, If a stranger or unknown person become surety in a case, greater caution should be used, and such security taken from this stranger as would prevent him from running away from his engagements. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:12-19

Religion, industry, prudence, and honesty I. GOD THE SOURCE OF ALL GOOD . 1 . Of all bodily good. The eye, the ear, with all their wondrous mechanism, with all their rich instrumentality of enjoyment, are from him. 2 . Of all spiritual faculty and endowment, the analogues of the former, and "every good and perfect gift" ( James 1:16 ). The new heart, the right mind, should, above all, be recognized as his gifts. 3 . In domestic and in public life. Good counsels of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:15

There is gold, and a multitude of rubies. For peninim, which is rendered "rubies," "pearls," or "coral," see on Proverbs 3:15 . There is gold which is precious, and there is abundance of pearls which are still more valuable. But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel, and worth more than all. We had the expression, "lips of knowledge," in Proverbs 14:7 ; it means lips that utter wisdom. Keli, often translated "jewel" in the Authorized Version, also boars the meaning of "vessel,"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:16

Take his garment that is surety for a stranger. The maxim is repeated in Proverbs 27:13 ; and warnings against suretyship are found in Proverbs 6:1 , etc.; Proverbs 11:15 ; Proverbs 17:18 ; Proverbs 22:26 , etc. The second portion of the clause is translated also, "For he is surety for another." If a man is so weak and foolish as to become security for any one, and is unable to make good his engaged payment, let him lose his garment which the creditor would seize; his imprudence... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:15

Proverbs 20:15 . There is gold, &c. Namely, in the world, in divers persons’ hands, by whom it is much prized; but the lips of knowledge Wise speeches, proceeding from a well-informed and upright mind, are a precious jewel Are of far greater worth, both to him that utters them, and to those that receive and improve them to their own benefit. read more

Group of Brands