Proverbs 10:18-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:18

Observe here, Malice is folly and wickedness. 1. It is so when it is concealed by flattery and dissimulation: He is a fool, though he may think himself a politician, that hides hatred with lying lips, lest, if it break out, he should be ashamed before men and should lose the opportunity of gratifying his malice. Lying lips are bad enough of themselves, but have a peculiar malignity in them when they are made a cloak of maliciousness. But he is a fool who thinks to hide any thing from God. 2.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:19

We are here admonished concerning the government of the tongue, that necessary duty of a Christian. 1. It is good to say little, because in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, or sin doth not cease. Usually, those that speak much speak much amiss, and among many words there cannot but be many idle words, which they must shortly give an account of. Those that love to hear themselves talk do not consider what work they are making for repentance; for that will be wanted, and first or... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:20-21

We are here taught how to value men, not by their wealth and preferment in the world, but by their virtue. I. Good men are good for something. Though they may be poor and low in the world, and may not have power and riches to do good with, yet, as long as they have a mouth to speak, that will make them valuable and useful, and upon that account we must honour those that fear the Lord, because out of the good treasure of their heart they bring forth good things. 1. This makes them valuable: The... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:22

Worldly wealth is that which most men have their hearts very much upon, but they generally mistake both in the nature of the thing they desire and in the way by which they hope to obtain it; we are therefore told here, 1. What that wealth is which is indeed desirable, not having abundance only, but having it and no sorrow with it, no disquieting care to get and keep it, no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment of it, no tormenting grief for the loss of it, no guilt contracted by the abuse of... read more

John Gill

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

He that hideth hatred with lying lips ,.... Or he whose "lying lips hide hatred", which is much the same; who pretends to be a friend, and outwardly behaves as one, but inwardly nourishes and cherishes hatred in his heart, which he covers and conceals, till he has a proper opportunity of showing it; as Absalom to Ammon, Joab to Amasa, the men of Anathoth to Jeremiah, and Judas to Christ; see Proverbs 26:24 . Or, "he that hideth hatred is a man of lying lips" F13 "Est vir laborium... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:19

In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin ,.... Where a great deal is said, without care and forethought, there will not only be many weak things uttered, but much falsehood, and at least many idle things, which cannot be excused from sin; not but that much and long speaking may be to great profit and advantage, when it is with care and judgment, and founded on close meditation and study. Or, "sin ceaseth not" F14 לא יחדל "non cessabit", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:20

The tongue of the just is as choice silver ,.... Which utters things precious, pure, pleasant, and profitable; things for worth and value as choice silver; the doctrines of the Gospel, the power of which he has felt upon his heart; the precious promises of it, which have been applied unto him; and the rich experience of grace he has been favoured with: things pure and incorrupt, like silver free from dross; as the doctrines of grace, fetched out of the mines of the sacred Scripture, free... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the righteous feed many ,.... Not their bodies; words are but wind, and will not feed; it is not enough to say to the distressed, "be ye warmed and filled", and give nothing; unless this can be understood of obtaining food for others by their prayers, as Jarchi interprets it: but the souls of many; these the righteous feed, by communicating the spiritual knowledge and understanding of divine things they are partakers of; by setting before them the bread of life, the honey and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich ,.... In the diligent use of means; see Proverbs 10:4 ; riches are from the Lord, and should be acknowledged as such, and not attributed to the industry, diligence, sagacity, and merit of men; but should be looked upon as had through the blessing of the Lord upon the labours of men; and when they come this way they come as a blessing, and with one: it may be understood of being made rich in a spiritual sense; it is the blessing, good will, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 10:18

He that hideth - This is a common case. How many, when full of resentment, and deadly hatred, meditating revenge and cruelty, and sometimes even murder, have pretended that they thought nothing of the injury they had sustained; had passed by the insult, etc.! Thus lying lips covered the malevolence of a wicked heart. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:20-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:22

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 10:18

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