Proverbs 28:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 28:1-2

See here, 1. What continual frights those are subject to that go on in wicked ways. Guilt in the conscience makes men a terror to themselves, so that they are ready to flee when none pursues; like one that absconds for debt, who thinks every one he meets a bailiff. Though they pretend to be easy, there are secret fears which haunt them wherever they go, so that they fear where no present or imminent danger is, Ps. 53:5. Those that have made God their enemy, and know it, cannot but see the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 28:1

The wicked flee when no man pursueth ,.... Through the terrors of a guilty conscience, as in Cain and others; who fear where no immediate cause of fear is, are frightened with their own shadows; and as Gaal was with the shadow of the mountains, he took for an army of men, as his friend told him, Judges 9:36 ; they are chased with the sound of a shaken leaf, and fancy men are at their heels to destroy them, and therefore with all haste flee to some place of safety; see Leviticus 26:17 ; ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 28:1

The wicked flee - Every wicked man, however bold he may appear, is full of dreary apprehensions relative to both worlds. But the righteous has true courage, being conscious of his own innocence, and the approbation of his God. The unpitious fleeith - Old MS. Bible. This word is often used for impious, wicked, ungodly; hence it appears that our word pity anciently meant piety or godliness. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 28:1

The wicked flee when no man pursueth. The unreasoning terror of the sinner arises partly from his uneasy conscience, which will not permit him to transgress without warning of consequences, and partly from the judgment of God, according to the threats denounced in Le 26:36, 37. A terrible picture of this instinctive fear is drawn in Job 15:20 , etc; and Wis. 17:9, etc. There are numerous proverbs about unreasonable timidity, such as being afraid of one's own shadow (see Erasmus, 'Adag.,' ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 28:1

The cowardice of guilt and the courage of righteousness I. THE COWARDICE OF GUILT . "The wicked flee when no man pursueth." 1 . This cowardice springs from a natural feeling of ill desert . "Conscience doth make cowards of us all." Apart from all authoritative revelation, when no prophet of God is charging a man with his sin, an awful voice within clamours against his guilt and shakes the very foundations of his confidence. Though he has never breathed a word of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 28:1-5

Canons of moral truth I. WICKEDNESS IS FEARFUL , GOODNESS IS COURAGEOUS . ( Proverbs 28:1 .) A good conscience is better than a thousand witnesses; an evil conscience unmans ( Job 15:21 ). What passes by the name of courage is often the effect of fear of men; and that which is discountenanced as want of spirit may proceed from the profoundest reverence for God. We shall never find anything in the world more to be feared than the warring presence within our own breast.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 28:1-25

(latter part) The source of disturbance and the secret of security We hardly need the pen of the wise man to assure us that— I. SIN MEANS DISTURBANCE TO OUR SOUL . 1 . It is bad enough to be unfortunate ; to suffer from privation or loss. 2 . It is far worse to be guilty . We soon accommodate ourselves to our misfortunes; we readily adjust ourselves to our circumstances, even though these may be very narrow. But sin strikes deep, and its wound lasts long.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 28:1-28

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 28:1

Proverbs 28:1. The wicked flee when no man pursueth Because a consciousness of their guilt excites in them a continual expectation and dread of God’s judgments; but the righteous are bold as a lion Are courageous and resolute, having the testimony of a good conscience, and assurance of the divine favour and protection, and the supports and consolations of the Holy Ghost. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 28:1-28

Selfish ambition (28:1-28)A bad conscience makes a person a coward, but a clear conscience gives a person courage (28:1). Some characteristics of a corrupt society are instability in the government, exploitation of fellow citizens (even among the poorer classes), lawlessness, reversal of moral standards, injustice and greed. In spite of this, some will always remain true to God (2-7).Even those who are religious may be guilty of exploiting the poor and misleading the upright, but their... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 28:1-2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 28:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 28:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 28:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 28:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 28:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 28:1-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 28:1-28

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 28:1

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 28:1-28

Group of Brands