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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:18

Note, 1. Sinners put a most fatal cheat upon themselves: The wicked works a deceitful work, builds himself a house upon the sand, which will deceive him when the storm comes, promises himself that by his sin which he will never gain; nay, it is cutting his throat when it smiles upon him. Sin deceived me, and by it slew me. 2. Saints lay up the best securities for themselves: He that sows righteousness, that is good, and makes it his business to do good, with an eye to a future recompence, he... read more

John Gill

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

The wicked worketh a deceitful work ,.... Such a wicked man as before described; that neither enjoys the good things of life he has, nor suffers others to enjoy them; and all to accumulate riches, which are deceitful and perishing; and who abstains from meats, which God has created for use, under a pretence of religion, and so deceives his own soul; and indeed every sin which a wicked man commits is a deceitful work; it promises him that pleasure, or profit, or liberty, which it does not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 11:18

Worketh a deceitful work - An unstable work; nothing is durable that he does, except his crimes. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:3-31

The pricelessness of integrity We have here a view of the exceeding worth of moral integrity, or of righteousness; we see what, in the judgment of the wise, it will do for its possessor. It will— I. DIRECT HIS WAY . "The integrity of the upright shall guide them; …the righteousness of the perfect [ i.e. the upright] shall direct his way" ( Proverbs 11:3-5 ). And we read. ( Proverbs 10:9 ) that "he that walketh uprightly walketh surely." The man who honestly and earnestly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:18

A deceitful work; work that brings no reward or profit, belying hope, like "fundus mendax" of Horace, 'Od.,' 3.1, 30. The Septuagint has, "unrighteous works," which seems a jejune rendering, and does not bring out the contrast of the sure reward in the second member (comp. Proverbs 10:2 , Proverbs 10:16 ). To him that soweth righteousness ( Hosea 10:12 ; Galatians 6:8 , Galatians 6:9 ). To "sow righteousness" is to act righteously, to live in such a way that the result is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:18

The principle of recompense I. EVERY ACTION IS A SECONDARY CAUSE AND IS FOLLOWED BY ITS CORRESPONDING EFFECT . II. THE EFFECT CORRESPONDS IN KIND AND IN DEGREE TO THE CAUSE . III. HUMAN CONDUCT MAY THUS BE VIEWED AS A SOWING FOLLOWED BY REAPING WORK BY WAGES , ACTION BY REACTION . IV. THE GAIN OF THE WICKED IS DECEPTION ILLUSORY . Illustrations: Pharaoh's attempt to decrease Israel... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 11:18-19

Proverbs 11:18-19. The wicked worketh a deceitful work A work which will deceive his expectation of that good for which he works. But to him that soweth righteousness That worketh righteousness with constancy, diligence, and hope of a recompense, resembling the labour and hope of those who sow in seed-time; shall be a sure reward For, he that sows to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting; so he that pursueth evil That lives in known sin, that sows to the flesh;... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:1-31

Prosperity; uprightness; generosity (11:1-31)People are foolish to try to get rich by dishonest methods, because dishonesty brings judgment from which riches cannot save (11:1-4). By their blameless conduct, people ensure their ultimate victory; by crookedness they ensure their downfall (5-8). When good people have influence in a city, the citizens live in peace and happiness. But each city also has its troublemakers, who are a nuisance to their neighbours and create unrest in the community... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 11:18

worketh, &c. Pharaoh (Exodus 1:20 . Acts 7:19 ). Caiaphas(John 11:49 , John 11:50 ). Compare Acts 8:1 , Acts 8:4 . deceitful = lie. Hebrew. sheker. The verb, adjective, and noun are the renderings of eight words in Proverbs: (1) sheker = a lie (Proverbs 11:18 ; Proverbs 20:17 ; Proverbs 31:30 ); (2) ramah = cheating (Proverbs 12:5 , Proverbs 12:17 , Proverbs 12:20 ; Proverbs 14:8 , Proverbs 14:25 ; Proverbs 26:19 , Proverbs 26:24 ); (3) shagah = wander, go astray (Proverbs 20:1 ); (4)... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 11:18

"The wicked earneth deceitful wages; But he that soweth righteousness hath a sure reward.""It is not real, what a bad man gains; but goodness yields a lasting profit."[21] A wicked man's deceptive wages will not provide for him what he expected. read more

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