Proverbs 25:21-28

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:21-22

By this it appears that, however the scribes and Pharisees had corrupted the law, not only the commandment of loving our brethren, but even that of loving our enemies, was not only a new, but also an old commandment, an Old-Testament commandment, though our Saviour has given it to us with the new enforcement of his own great example in loving us when we were enemies. Observe, 1. How we must express our love to our enemies by the real offices of kindness, even those that are expensive to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:23

Here see, 1. How we must discourage sin and witness against it, and particularly the sin of slandering and backbiting; we must frown upon it, and, by giving it an angry countenance, endeavour to put it out of countenance. Slanders would not be so readily spoken as they are if they were not readily heard; but good manners would silence the slanderer if he saw that his tales displeased the company. We should show ourselves uneasy if we heard a dear friend, whom we value, evil-spoken of; the same... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:24

This is the same with what he had said, Prov. 21:9. Observe, 1. How those are to be pitied that are unequally yoked, especially with such as are brawling and contentious, whether husband or wife; for it is equally true of both. It is better to be alone than to be joined to one who, instead of being a meet-help, is a great hindrance to the comfort of life. 2. How those may sometimes be envied that live in solit 1bf3 ude; as they want the comfort of society, so they are free from the vexation of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:25

See here, 1. How natural it is to us to desire to hear good news from our friends, and concerning our affairs at a distance. It is sometimes with impatience that we expect to hear from abroad; our souls thirst after it. But we should check the inordinateness of that desire; if it be bad news, it will come too soon, if good, it will be welcome at any time. 2. How acceptable such good news will be when it does come, as refreshing as cold water to one that is thirsty. Solomon himself had much... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:26

It is here represented as a very lamentable thing, and a public grievance, and of ill consequence to many, like the troubling of a fountain and the corrupting of a spring, for the righteous to fall down before the wicked, that is, 1. For the righteous to fall into sin in the sight of the wicked?for them to do any thing unbecoming their profession, which is told in Gath, and published in the streets of Ashkelon, and in which the daughters of the Philistines rejoice. For those that have been in... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:27

I. Two things we must be graciously dead to:?1. To the pleasures of sense, for it is not good to eat much honey; though it pleases the taste, and, if eaten with moderation, is very wholesome, yet, if eaten to excess, it becomes nauseous, creates bile, and is the occasion of many diseases. It is true of all the delights of the children of men that they will surfeit, but never satisfy, and they are dangerous to those that allow themselves the liberal use of them. 2. To the praise of man. We must... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 25:28

Here is, 1. The good character of a wise and virtuous man implied. He is one that has rule over his own spirit; he maintains the government of himself, and of his own appetites and passions, and does not suffer them to rebel against reason and conscience. He has the rule of his own thoughts, his desires, his inclinations, his resentments, and keeps them all in good order. 2. The bad case of a vicious man, who has not this rule over his own spirit, who, when temptations to excess in eating or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:21

If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat ,.... Which includes all manner of food; whatever persons may have in their houses, that they should bring out and feed the hungry with, even though an enemy; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink ; which was what was usually and in common drank in those countries. These two, bread and water, take in all the necessaries of life; and giving them is expressive of all acts of beneficence and humanity to be performed to enemies; see 2... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:22

For thou shall heap coals of fire upon his head ,.... Not to increase his punishment and damnation, the more aggravated by kindness shown him; but to bring him by such means to a sense of former injuries, and to shame for them, repentance of them, and love of the person injured, and carefulness for the future of doing him any further wrong; and the Lord shall reward thee : with good things, for all the good done to thine enemy, whether it has the desired effect on him or not; or whether... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 25:23

The north wind driveth away rain ,.... So the geographer F23 Dionysii Perieg. v. 532. says, the swift north wind drives away the moist clouds; which usually come from the opposite quarter, the south. The word used has the signification of conceiving, and begetting, and bringing forth; hence some F24 תחולל "parturiet", Montanus; "gignit", Junius & Tremellius; "parturit", Schultens. render it to a different sense, and so the Targum, "the north wind bringeth forth rain;' ... read more

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