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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:20-21

We are here taught how to value men, not by their wealth and preferment in the world, but by their virtue. I. Good men are good for something. Though they may be poor and low in the world, and may not have power and riches to do good with, yet, as long as they have a mouth to speak, that will make them valuable and useful, and upon that account we must honour those that fear the Lord, because out of the good treasure of their heart they bring forth good things. 1. This makes them valuable: The... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 10:22

Worldly wealth is that which most men have their hearts very much upon, but they generally mistake both in the nature of the thing they desire and in the way by which they hope to obtain it; we are therefore told here, 1. What that wealth is which is indeed desirable, not having abundance only, but having it and no sorrow with it, no disquieting care to get and keep it, no vexation of spirit in the enjoyment of it, no tormenting grief for the loss of it, no guilt contracted by the abuse of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the righteous feed many ,.... Not their bodies; words are but wind, and will not feed; it is not enough to say to the distressed, "be ye warmed and filled", and give nothing; unless this can be understood of obtaining food for others by their prayers, as Jarchi interprets it: but the souls of many; these the righteous feed, by communicating the spiritual knowledge and understanding of divine things they are partakers of; by setting before them the bread of life, the honey and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich ,.... In the diligent use of means; see Proverbs 10:4 ; riches are from the Lord, and should be acknowledged as such, and not attributed to the industry, diligence, sagacity, and merit of men; but should be looked upon as had through the blessing of the Lord upon the labours of men; and when they come this way they come as a blessing, and with one: it may be understood of being made rich in a spiritual sense; it is the blessing, good will, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich - Whatever we receive in the way of providence, has God's blessing in it, and will do us good. Cares, troubles, and difficulties come with all property not acquired in this way; but God's blessing gives simple enjoyment, and levies no tax upon the comfort. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:1-32

The service of speech, etc "Man is a talking animal," we say. But if we are distinguished from the brute creation by the mere fact of speech, how truly are we divided from one another by the use we make of that human faculty! To what height of worthiness one man may rise, and what inestimable service he may render, but to what depth of wrong another man may fall, and what mischief he may work, by the use of his tongue! I. THE SERVICE OF SPEECH . "By our words" we may do great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:15-21

A sevenfold strain of experience For the most part these sayings relate to earthly goods—their value, and the means for their acquisition. Godliness has the promise of both lives. Equally incredible would a religion which ignored the future be with one which ignored the present. Equally one-sided is the expectation only of earthly good from wisdom, and the expectation only of heavenly good. We must beware of a false materializing and of a false spiritualizing of religion. I. THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:21

Feed many. The righteous by wise counsel teach, support, and guide others ( Ecclesiastes 12:11 ; Jeremiah 3:15 ). So the clergy are the shepherds of their flocks ( John 21:15 ; Acts 20:28 ; 1 Peter 5:2 ). The LXX . has a different reading, "know high things." Fools die for want of wisdom. Far from "feeding" others, they bring ruin on themselves ( Proverbs 5:23 ). Others translate, "die through one who wanteth understanding;" but if the Hebrew will bear this rendering, it is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the Lord. The Septuagint adds, "upon the head of the righteous," as in Proverbs 10:6 . Not chance and luck, not even industry and labour, but God giveth the increase ( Ecclesiastes 5:18 , Ecclesiastes 5:19 ). He addeth no sorrow with it; i.e. with the Blessing. In acquiring and in using wealth thus blessed, the good man is contented and happy, while unsanctified fiches bring only trouble and vexation. But this seems rather feeble, and it is better to render, "And a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 10:22

Divine enrichment There is no inconsistency in the teaching of the text with that of Proverbs 10:4 . For God blesses us by means of our own efforts and energy; indeed, we are more truly and fully enriched of God when his blessing comes to us as the consequence of our faith and labour. I. THE OBJECTS AT WHICH WE AIM . Those without which we are apt to consider ourselves poor. They are these: 1 . Material substance, or (as we commonly put it to ourselves) money. 2 ... read more

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