Proverbs 19:18-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:18

Parents are here cautioned against a foolish indulgence of their children that are untoward and viciously inclined, and that discover such an ill temper of mind as is not likely to be cured but by severity. 1. Do not say that it is all in good time to correct them; no, as soon as ever there appears a corrupt disposition in them check it immediately, before it gets head, and takes root, and is hardened into a habit: Chasten thy son while there is hope, for perhaps, if he be let alone awhile, he... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:19

1. As we read this, it intimates, in short, that angry men never want woe. Those that are of strong, or rather headstrong, passions, commonly bring themselves and their families into trouble by vexatious suits and quarrels and the provocations they give; they are still smarting, in one instance or other, for their ungoverned heats; and, if their friends deliver them out of one trouble, they will quickly involve themselves in another, and they must do it again, all which troubles to themselves... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:20

Note, 1. It is well with those that are wise in their latter end, wise for their latter end, for their future state, wise for another world, that are found wise when their latter end comes, wise virgins, wise builders, wise stewards, that are wise at length, and understand the things that belong to their peace, before they be hidden from their eyes. A carnal worldling at his end shall be a fool (Jer. 17:11), but godliness will prove wisdom at last. 2. Those that would be wise in their latter... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 19:18

Chasten thy son while there is hope ,.... Of guiding and keeping him in the right way, as long as corrections are or can be hoped to be of use; while in a state of infancy, childhood, and youth; while under parental government; and before habits in sin are grown strong, and the case become desperate, and he is hardened, and proof against all instruction and discipline; and let not thy soul spare for his crying ; the noise he makes, the tears he sheds, the entreaties he uses to keep off... read more

John Gill

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

A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment ,.... Either a child that is of a wrathful disposition, and provokes his parent to wrath; or a parent that chastises his child in wrath; each shall suffer for it; or any man that gives way to wrath and anger and is continually quarrelling, he involves himself in trouble; and is punished, as his offence requires, according to law, either in his person or estate; for if thou deliver him , yet thou must do it again ; if he is got out of one... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 19:20

Hear counsel, and receive instruction ,.... Of parents, masters, and ministers; especially the counsel and instruction of Wisdom, of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor; and of his Gospel and of the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation; that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end ; in the latter end of life, at death; that then it may appear a man has been so wise as to be concerned for a future state, for the good of his soul in another... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 19:18

Let not thy soul spare for his crying - This is a hard precept for a parent. Nothing affects the heart of a parent so much as a child's cries and tears. But it is better that the child may be caused to cry, when the correction may be healthful to his soul, than that the parent should cry afterwards, when the child is grown to man's estate, and his evil habits are sealed for life. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 19:19

A man of great wrath - He who is of an irritable, fiery disposition, will necessarily get himself into many broils; and he that is surety for him once is likely to be called on again and again for the same friendly office. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 19:18

Chasten thy son while there is hope; or. seeing that there is hope. Being still young and impressionable, and not confirmed in bad habits, he may be reformed by judicious chastisement. The same expression occurs in Job 11:18 ; Jeremiah 31:16 . "For so he shall be well hoped of" ( εὔελπις ), Septuagint (comp. Proverbs 23:13 ). And let not thy soul spare for his crying. "It is better," says a German apothegm, "that the child weep than the father." But the rendering of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 19:18

Timely chastisement I. CHASTISEMENT SHOULD BE TIMELY . "Prevention is better than cure." It we wait till the weeds run to seed it is in vain for us to pull them up—they will have sown another and larger crop. The lion's cub may be caught and caged; the full-grown beast is dangerous to approach, and out of our power. Consider some practical applications of these truths. 1 . They show us the importance of early home training. The first seeds are sown at home. If an evil... read more

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