Proverbs 25:22 NIV

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:22

Thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head - Not to consume, but to melt him into kindness; a metaphor taken from smelting metallic ores: - So artists melt the sullen ore of lead, By heaping coals of fire upon its head: In the kind warmth the metal learns to glow, And pure from dross the silver runs below. S. Wesley. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:16-27

The wisdom of moderation We can only eat a small quantity of honey; it we go beyond the limit we find out our mistake. Of this, as of all very sweet things, the words of the great dramatist are true, that "a little more than enough is by much too much." This is particularly applicable to that to which it is here referred. I. SELF - PRAISE . We may go a little way in that direction, but not far. If we transgress the narrow bounds allowed, we shall soon find that we have done... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:20-25

The inopportune and the acceptable "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly" ( Proverbs 18:24 ). And if we would do this we must be careful to choose our time for speaking the truth to our friends, and must study to do not only the right but the appropriate thing. We must— I. ABSTAIN FROM THE INOPPORTUNE . ( Proverbs 25:20 .) It should require but a very humble share of delicacy to understand that what is very valuable at one time is altogether misplaced and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:21-22

This famous tetrastrich is reproduced (with the exception of the fourth line) from the Septuagint by St. Paul ( Romans 12:20 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:21-22

Coals of fire. I. THE CHRIST - LIKE DUTY . 1 . It is positive . It is more than turning the other cheek to the smiter, or letting the thief of the cloak carry off the coat also. Passive non-resistance is to be surpassed by active kindness. The command is not merely to refrain from acts of vengeance; it is to bestir one's self in active benevolence for the good of an enemy—to return good for evil. 2 . It is difficult . Perhaps this is not so exceedingly difficult as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:21-22

Love to our enemy I. LOVE DELIGHTS IN ITS OPPORTUNITY . ( Proverbs 25:21 .) And to true Christian love there is no opportunity sweeter than the distress of a foe. II. LOVE DELIGHTS IN SUPPLYING NEED . It is the opposite of egotism, which clamours for personal satisfaction, and closes the avenues of pity to the distressed. III. LOVE IS VICTORIOUS OVER EVIL . ( Proverbs 25:22 .) A wholesome pain is excited in the mind of the enemy. He begins to feel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:22

For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. This expression has been taken in various senses. It has been thought to mean that the forgiveness of the injured person brings to the cheek of the offender the burning blush of shame. But heaping coals on the head cannot naturally be taken to express such an idea. St. Chrysostom and other Fathers consider that Divine vengeance is implied, as in Psalms 11:6 , "Upon the wicked he shall rain snares; fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 25:21-22

Proverbs 25:21-22 . If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread, &c. By bread and water he intends all things necessary for his subsistence; for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head If he have the least spark of goodness in him, such conduct in thee toward him will work a change in his mind, and make him throw off all his enmities; thou shalt melt him into repentance, and inflame him with love and kindness to thee for so unexpected and undeserved a favour; or, as Dr. Doddridge... read more

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

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 25:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:16-27

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:20-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:21-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:21-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:21-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 25:22

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 25:21-22

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