Proverbs 27:3-6 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:3-4

These two verses show the intolerable mischief, 1. Of ungoverned passion. The wrath of a fool, who when he is provoked cares not what he says and does, is more grievous than a great stone or a load of sand. It lies heavily upon himself. Those who have no command of their passions do themselves even sink under the load of them. The wrath of a fool lies heavily upon those he is enraged at, to whom, in his fury, he will be in danger of doing some mischief. It is therefore our wisdom not to give... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:5-6

Note, 1. It is good for us to be reproved, and told of our faults, by our friends. If true love in the heart has but zeal and courage enough to show itself in dealing plainly with our friends, and reproving them for what they say and do amiss, this is really better, not only than secret hatred (as Lev. 19:17), but than secret love, that love to our neighbours which does not show itself in this good fruit, which compliments them in their sins, to the prejudice of their souls. Faithful are the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:3

A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty ,.... As was the stone which was at the well's mouth, where Laban's flocks were watered, which could not be rolled away till all the shepherds were gathered together, Genesis 29:2 ; and like the burdensome stone Jerusalem is compared to Zechariah 12:3 ; and as that at the sepulchre of Christ, rolled away by the angel, Matthew 28:2 . And sand is a very ponderous thing; difficult to be carried, as the Septuagint render it, as a bag of it is; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:4

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous ,.... Or "an inundation" F24 שטף "inundatio", Michaelis, so Montanus, Vatablus, Tigurine version, "exundatio", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "inundatio salcans", Schultens. ; it is like the breaking in of the sea, or a flood of mighty waters, which know no bounds, and there is no stopping them: so cruel and outrageous were the wrath and anger of Simeon and Levi, in destroying the Shechemites; of Pharaoh, in making the Israelites to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:5

Open rebuke is better than secret love. This is to be understood, not of rebuke publicly given; though Aben Ezra thinks public reproof is meant, which, arising from love, is better than that which is done in secret, though in love, as being more effectual; for rebuke among friends should be given privately, according to our Lord's direction, Matthew 18:15 ; but it signifies reproof given faithfully and plainly, with openness of heart, and without mincing the matter, and palliating the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:6

Faithful are the wounds of a friend ,.... That is, friendly reproofs; which, though they may be severe, at least thought so, and may grieve and wound, and cause pain and uneasiness for the present, yet, proceeding from a spirit of love, faithfulness, and integrity, and designed for the good of the person reproved, ought to be kindly received; see Psalm 141:5 ; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful ; flow from a deceitful heart, and not to be confided in, as the kisses of Joab... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:4

Who is able to stand before envy? - The rabbins have a curious story on this subject, and it has been formed by the moderns into a fable. There were two persons, one covetous and the other envious, to whom a certain person promised to grant whatever they should ask; but double to him who should ask last. The covetous man would not ask first, because he wished to get the double portion, and the envious man would not make the first request because he could not bear the thoughts of thus... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:5

Open rebuke is better than secret love - Plutarch gives an account of a man who, aiming a blow at his enemy's life, cut open an imposthume, which by a salutary discharge saved his life, that was sinking under a disease for which a remedy could not be found. Partial friendship covers faults; envy, malice, and revenge, will exhibit, heighten, and even multiply them. The former conceals us from ourselves; the latter shows us the worst part of our character. Thus we are taught the necessity of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:1-6

These verses are grouped in pairs, each two being connected in subject. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:1-6

Beastliness, jealousy, and hypocrisy I. OVER CONFIDENCE REBUKED . ( Proverbs 27:1 .) 1 . On the ground of our limited knowledge. The homely proverb says, "Do not count your chickens before they are hatched." The future exists for us only in imagination. "Who knows," asks Horace, "whether the gods above will add tomorrow's time to the sum of today?" ('Od.,' Proverbs 4:7 . 17); and Seneca, "None hath gods so favourable as that he may promise himself tomorrow's good." 2 . On... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:3-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:5-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:1-6

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