Proverbs 3:31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 3:27-35

True wisdom consists in the due discharge of our duty towards man, as well as towards God, in honesty as well as piety, and therefore we have here divers excellent precepts of wisdom which relate to our neighbour. I. We must render to all their due, both in justice and charity, and not delay to do it (Prov. 3:27, 28): ?Withhold not good from those to whom it is due (either for want of love to them or through too much love to thy money) when it is in the power of thy hand to do it, for, if it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 3:31

Envy thou not the oppressor ,.... The man that gets wealth and riches by acts of injustice, by oppressing the poor, by rapine and violence; do not envy his prosperity, and the substance he is possessed of; do not wish to be in his place and circumstances, to enjoy his affluence and ease; do not look upon his happiness with an envious eye and a fretting heart; he is far from being a happy man; his end will be bad; see Psalm 37:1 ; and choose none of his ways ; which he has used to get... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 3:31

Envy thou not the oppressor - O how bewitching is power! Every man desires it; and yet all hate tyrants. But query, if all had power, would not the major part be tyrants? read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:27-32

Four valuable virtues There are some graces which, though not of the first importance, are yet far from being unimportant. Many men so fashion their lives that while, upon the whole, they are rightly reckoned among the wise and good, they are much less happy, less honoured, and less useful than they might become if they heeded a few small things. If we had regard to some of the minor moralities which we are apt to neglect, there would be less friction and more beauty in our lives than is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:27-35

6. Sixth admonitory discourse. In this discourse the teacher still carries on his object, which is to demonstrate the conditions upon which true wisdom and happiness are to be attained. The discourse differs from the preceding in consisting of detached proverbs, and may be divided into two main sections—the first ( Proverbs 3:27-30 ) enjoining benevolence, that love to one's neighbour which is the fulfilling of the Law; the second warning against emulating the oppressor and associating... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:29-31

Odious passions Let them he held up in the clear exposure of Wisdom, that their very mention may suggest their hideousness. I. MALICE AND ITS DEVICES . ( Proverbs 3:29 .) Literally, "Forge not ill against thy neighbour." 1 . Malice, like love, is all-inventive. But as the devices of the latter are the very instruments of progress and good, so those of the former are pernicious—burglar's tools, cunning instruments of torture. 2 . Directed against unsuspecting objects,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 3:31

Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. The thought of strife in the preceding verse leads to that of oppression, and the precept is directed against fellowship with those who outrage the general law of benevolence and justice, Envy not ; i.e. as Stuart, "Do not anxiously covet the booty which men of violence acquire." Success and wealth may follow from severity and extortion, but the man who acquires prosperity by these means is not to be envied even by the victim of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 3:30-32

Proverbs 3:30-32. Strive not Either by words before the magistrate, or otherwise by thine actions; with a man without cause Without just and necessary cause; if he have done thee no harm Whereby it is clearly implied, that, in case of injury, a man may, by all lawful means, defend himself. Envy thou not the oppressor For his impunity and success in his wicked designs, and the wealth which he gains by unrighteous practices; and choose none of his ways For what men envy in others they... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 3:1-35

The whole life for God (3:1-35)Obedience and loyalty to God, in addition to guaranteeing his favour, produce the kind of life that most people acknowledge as honourable (3:1-4). If, instead of trusting in their own wisdom and ability, people live in an attitude of reverential trust in God, they can be assured that God will direct them in all their affairs. God will remove obstacles and lead them to their desired goals (5-8).Personal income is one part of everyday life where people must honour... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 3:31

Envy thou not, &c. = Do not become excited against, &c. Illustrations: Moses (Hebrews 11:25 , Hebrews 11:26 ); Jezebel (1 Kings 21:7-13 . Compare 2 Kings 9:30-37 ). Psalms 34:21 . the oppressor = the man (Hebrew. 'ish) of violence. App-14 . read more

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