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William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Proverbs 18:1-24

The Deepest Stage of Calamity Proverbs 18:14 The idea is that a calamity affects us, not according to the weight of the stroke, but according to the state of our thoughts. The spirit of a man is his mental state as distinguished from his outward circumstances. I. The proverb says that an outward misfortune influences the life, not in proportion to its actual severity, but in proportion to the resources of the mind. I am profoundly convinced that this is true. Two men take a fever at the same... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:1-24

CHAPTER 19THE EVIL OF ISOLATION"He that separates himself follows after his own desire, but against all sound wisdom he shows his teeth."- Proverbs 18:1FROM the value of friendship there is a natural and easy transition to the evil of isolation. We must try to fathom the profound meaning which is hidden under this simple but striking proverb. To begin with, what are we to understand by "one that separates himself"? This same word occurs in 2 Samuel 1:23 concerning Saul and Jonathan, that "in... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Proverbs 18:1-24

CHAPTER 18 Proverbs of Personal Instruction There is first a warning against separation produced by desire, that is for gratification and pleasure, and not for a righteous purpose. Such a one becomes an enemy of true wisdom and one who intermeddleth with all wisdom. This proverb finds a New Testament illustration in Alexander the coppersmith, as well as Hymenaeus and Philetus, and Diotrephes of whom John writes in his epistle. A fool foams out his own folly. This proverb in Proverbs 18:2 is... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:1-24

In these chapters we have a series of exhortations to a life of godliness expressed in general terms about as follows: 1. Confidence in God as a wise ruler (chap. 16) 2. A disposition of peacefulness and contentment (chap. 17) 3. The virtues of affability, fidelity, and others of a social nature (chap. 18) 4. Humility and meekness (chap. 19) 5. Sobriety, diligence and kindness (chap. 21) 6. Justice, patience, submission (chap. 21) 7. The attainment and preservation of a good name (chap. 22) 8.... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Proverbs 18:1-24

The Evils of Narrow-Mindedness, Etc. Proverbs 18:0 In connection with this thought we have always turned our attention to student life, fancying a man so burning with an unquenchable desire for wisdom as to betake himself from public highways and tumults that he might study in solitude and silence. Another rendering of the text, however, will show its true meaning: "The separatist seeketh after his own desire, and against all improvement he shows his teeth." We have here, then, a picture of... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Proverbs 18:11-16

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. If a man's gift... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Proverbs 18:15

v. 15. The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge, working for its possession, ready for its reception, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge, eager to serve the heart and the inner life in the acquisition of true wisdom. read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Proverbs 18:1-24

γ) Admonition to affability, fidelity in friendship, and the other virtues of social lifeChap. 181     He that separateth himself seeketh his own pleasure;against all counsel doth he rush on.2     A fool hath no delight in understanding,but that his heart may reveal itself.3     When wickedness cometh then cometh contempt,and with shameful deeds reproach.4     Deep waters are the words of man’s mouth;the fountain of wisdom is a flowing brook.5     To have regard to the wicked is not good,(nor)... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 18:1-24

Verse Proverbs 18:1. The protest of this proverb is against the self-satisfaction which makes a man separate himself from the thoughts and opinions of others. Such a one finally "rages against," or "quarrels with all sound wisdom." Verse Proverbs 18:9. This plainly teaches that there can be no middle course between construction and destruction. Every man is contributing something to the commonwealth, or is a wastrel. Verses Proverbs 18:10-11. Each of these verses taken separately constitutes... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 18:1-24

Proverbs Of Solomon Part 2 (Proverbs 15:22 to Proverbs 22:16 ). At this point there is a sudden switch from proverbs which contrast one thing with another, which have been predominant since Proverbs 10:1, to proverbs where the second clause adds something to the first. Whilst we still find some contrasting proverbs, especially at the beginning, they are not so common. This may suggest a deliberate intention by Solomon to separate his proverbs into two parts. Furthermore such a change at this... read more

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