Proverbs 5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 5

The scope of this chapter is much the same with that of Prov. 2:1-22. To write the same things, in other words, ought not to be grievous, for it is safe, Phil. 3:1. Here is, I. An exhortation to get acquaintance with and submit to the laws of wisdom in general, Prov. 5:2. II. A particular caution against the sin of whoredom, Prov. 5:3-14. III. Remedies prescribed against that sin. 1. Conjugal love, Prov. 5:15-20. 2. A regard to God's omniscience, Prov. 5:21. 3. A dread of the miserable end of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 5:1-14

Here we have, I. A solemn preface, to introduce the caution which follows, Prov. 5:1, 2. Solomon here addresses himself to his son, that is, to all young men, as unto his children, whom he has an affection for and some influence upon. In God's name, he demands attention; for he writes by divine inspiration, and is a prophet, though he begins not with, Thus saith the Lord. ?Attend, and bow thy ear; not only hear what is said, and read what is written, but apply thy mind to it and consider it... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 5:15-23

Solomon, having shown the great evil that there is in adultery and fornication, and all such lewd and filthy courses, here prescribes remedies against them. I. Enjoy with satisfaction the comforts of lawful marriage, which was ordained for the prevention of uncleanness, and therefore ought to be made use of in time, lest it should not prove effectual for the cure of that which it might have prevented. Let none complain that God has dealt unkindly with them in forbidding them those pleasures... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 5 The general instruction of this chapter is to avoid whoredom, and make use of lawful marriage, and keep to that. It is introduced with an exhortation to attend to wisdom and understanding, Proverbs 5:1 ; one part of which lies in shunning an adulterous woman; who is described by her flattery, with which she deceives; by the end she brings men to, which is destruction and death; and by the uncertainty of her ways, which cannot be known, Proverbs 5:3 .... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:1

My son, attend unto my wisdom ,.... Not the wisdom of the world or of the flesh, worldly wisdom and carnal policy; but spiritual and evangelical wisdom; such as one that is greater than Solomon has in him, even Christ; "for in him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge", Colossians 2:3 ; and which he teaches and communicates to others, even all proper instructions for conduct in life: the Gospel, and each of the doctrines of it, which are "the wisdom of God in a mystery", 1... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:2

That thou mayest regard discretion ,.... Observe it; retain it in thine heart, as Aben Ezra adds, and use it; think, speak, and act discreetly, and so avoid the bad woman afterwards described: the Vulgate Latin version is, "that thou mayest keep the thoughts"; and so Gersom interprets the word; "good thoughts", according to the Septuagint version; the thoughts of the heart are to be observed. A man of spiritual wisdom will take notice of them; evil thoughts, which lead to uncleanness, are to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:3

For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb ,.... "Mulsa dicta", "honey words", as is Plautus's F5 Rudens, Act. 2. Sc. 3. v. 84. Poenulus, 1, 2. v. 112. expression. The Septuagint and Arabic versions premise something here which is not in the Hebrew text, "do not give heed to a wicked woman;' and the Vulgate Latin version, "to the fallacy of a woman:' but there is no need to connect the words by such a supplement; since, as they lie, they give a reason why it was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:4

But her end is bitter as wormwood ,.... Which is opposed to the honeycomb her lips are said to drop; so that, as Juvenal says F7 Satyr. 6. v. 180. "Lingua dicta dulcia dabis, corde amara facilis", Plauti Truculentus, Act. 1. Sc. 1. v. 77. Cistellaria, Act. 1. Sc. 1. v. 70, 71, 72. , "plus aloes quam mellis habet": the end which she brings persons to, or the issue of complying with her, is bitterness; such as loss of credit, substance, and health, remorse of conscience, and fear of... read more

John Gill

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

Her feet go down to death ,.... The ways in which she walks, and in which she leads others, issue oftentimes in corporeal death; and always in eternal death, if grace prevent not; and unless men are brought to a sense of sin, to repent of it and leave it. The Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, "the feet of imprudence" or "folly", in opposition to wisdom; that is, the feet of the foolish woman, such an one the harlot is; and such is the whore of Rome, notwithstanding all her boasted... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 5:6

Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life ,.... Consider and meditate which is the way to get out of her hands and ways, and escape death, and obtain eternal life; lest those she has drawn into her wicked course of life should be religiously inclined, and think of quitting such a course, and inquire after the way of life and salvation; and be weighing in their minds which is most eligible, to continue with her whose feet lead to death, or to take the path of life: to prevent all this, if... read more

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