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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 8:1-11

The will of God revealed to us for our salvation is here largely represented to us as easy to be known and understood, that none may have an excuse for their ignorance or error, and as worthy to be embraced, that none may have an excuse for their carelessness and unbelief. I. The things revealed are easy to be known, for they belong to us and to our children (Deut. 29:29), and we need not soar up to heaven, or dive into the depths, to get the knowledge of them (Deut. 30:11), for they are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 8:5

O ye simple, understand wisdom ,.... The Gospel, the wisdom of God in a mystery, particularly the doctrine of salvation by Christ; it is the highest wisdom to know Christ and him crucified: and they are "the simple" who are weak and easy to be imposed upon, who are here called unto; and generally speaking such are they to whom the mysteries of grace are made known, while they are hid from the wise and prudent; and ye fools, be of an understanding heart ; or "cause the heart to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 8:5

O ye simple - פתאים pethaim , ye that are deceived, and with flattering words and fair speeches deluded and drawn away. Ye fools - כסילים kesilim , ye stupid, stiffnecked, senseless people. That preaching is never likely to do much good, that is not pointed; specifying and describing vices, and charging them home on the consciences of transgressors. Where this is not done, the congregation is unconcerned; no man supposes he has any thing to do in the business, especially if the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:1-9

Wisdom's proclamation Again it is a poetical personification of truth, of God's Word, of religion, morality, sense, prudence; for all these are included in the comprehensive conception of wisdom that is placed before us. I. THE PROCLAMATION OF TRUTH HAS NEVER FAILED IN THE WORLD . The cry is coeval with the world, with the conscience of man. The preacher has an institution second to none in antiquity and in honour. II. THE PREACHER MUST RE CONSPICUOUS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:1-21

The excellency of Divine wisdom: No. 1 In these verses we have portrayed to us the surpassing excellency of the wisdom of God. I. IT IS AUDIBLE TO EVERY ONE . "Doth not Wisdom cry," etc.? ( Proverbs 8:1 ; see homily on Proverbs 1:20-23 ). II. IT IS URGENT AND IMPORTUNATE . ( Proverbs 8:2-4 ; see homily on Proverbs 1:20-23 .) III. IT MAKES ITS APPEAL TO UNIVERSAL MAN . ( Proverbs 8:4 , Proverbs 8:5 .) "Unto you, O men, I call,"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:1-21

Christ the Wisdom of God: No. 1 Though it is not to be supposed that Jesus Christ was in the mind of the writer of this passage, yet as he does personify wisdom, and as wisdom was incarnated in that Son of man who was the Son of God, we should expect to find that the words of the wise man in the text would apply, in large measure, to the Lord Jesus Christ. They do so, and suggest to us— I. THE MANNER OF HIS TEACHING . ( Proverbs 8:1-3 ) He "spake openly to the world, …... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:1-36

14. Fourteenth admonitory discourse concerning Wisdom—her excellence, her origin, her gifts. She is contrasted with the strange woman of Proverbs 7:1-27 ; and the exceeding greatness of the blessings which she offers exhibits in the most marked manner the nothingness of the deceiver's gifts. One is reminded of the celebrated episode of the choice of Hercules, delineated by Xenophon, 'Memorab.,' 2.1. 21, etc. The chapter divides itself into four sections. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:4-11

She summons various classes of persons to attend to her, showing how trustworthy she is, and how precious her instruction. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:5

O ye simple, understand wisdom. "The simple," those not yet perverted, but easily influenced for good or evil. See on Proverbs 1:4 , where also is explained the word ormah , used here for "wisdom;" equivalent to calliditas in a good sense, or πανουργία , as sometimes employed in the Septuagint; so here: νοήσατε ἄκακοι πανουργίαν , "subtlety." Ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. For "fools" ( khesilim ) , the intellectually heavy and dull, see on Proverbs 1:22... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 8:5

Wisdom for the simple We may divide the simple into three classes. 1 . There are those who think themselves wise while they are but fools: there is no hope for such. 2 . There are people who make no pretence to wisdom, but who have chosen folly, and are quite indifferent to the claims and charms of wisdom. 3 . There are anxious seekers after wisdom, who feel their present ignorance and incompetence with acute distress, and long to be among the wise, but despair of reaching the... read more

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