Proverbs 11:17-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:17

It is a common principle, Every one for himself. Proximus egomet mihi?None so near to me as myself. Now, if this be rightly understood, it will be a reason for the cherishing of gracious dispositions in ourselves and the crucifying of corrupt ones. We are friends or enemies to ourselves, even in respect of present comfort, according as we are or are not governed by religious principles. 1. A merciful, tender, good humoured man, does good to his own soul, makes and keeps himself easy. He has... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:18

Note, 1. Sinners put a most fatal cheat upon themselves: The wicked works a deceitful work, builds himself a house upon the sand, which will deceive him when the storm comes, promises himself that by his sin which he will never gain; nay, it is cutting his throat when it smiles upon him. Sin deceived me, and by it slew me. 2. Saints lay up the best securities for themselves: He that sows righteousness, that is good, and makes it his business to do good, with an eye to a future recompence, he... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:19

It is here shown that righteousness, not only by the divine judgment, will end in life, and wickedness in death, but that righteousness, in its own nature, has a direct tendency to life and wickedness to death. 1. True holiness is true happiness; it is a preparative for it, a pledge and earnest of it. Righteousness inclines, disposes, and leads, the soul to life. 2. In like manner, those that indulge themselves in sin are fitting themselves for destruction. The more violent a man is in sinful... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:20

It concerns us to know what God hates and what he loves, that we may govern ourselves accordingly, may avoid his displeasure and recommend ourselves to his favour. Now here we are told, 1. That nothing is more offensive to God than hypocrisy and double-dealing, for these are signified by the word which we translate frowardness, pretending justice, but intending wrong, walking in crooked ways, to avoid discovery. Those are of a froward heart who act in contradiction to that which is good, under... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:21

Observe, 1. That confederacies in sin shall certainly be broken, and shall not avail to protect the sinners: Though hand join in hand, though there are many that concur by their practice to keep wickedness in countenance, and engage to stand by one another in defending it against all the attacks of virtue and justice,?though they are in league for the support and propagation of it,?though wicked children tread in the steps of their wicked parents, and resolve to keep up the trade, in defiance... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:17

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul ,.... Or "to himself": a man of mercy or grace, a liberal bountiful man, he comfortably enjoys what God has given him, Ecclesiastes 5:18 ; and he does good to others with it, and thereby does good to himself also; as well as he is solicitous in a spiritual sense for the good and welfare of his immortal soul; but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh ; a sordid avaricious man withholds from himself that which is meet, will not allow... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:18

The wicked worketh a deceitful work ,.... Such a wicked man as before described; that neither enjoys the good things of life he has, nor suffers others to enjoy them; and all to accumulate riches, which are deceitful and perishing; and who abstains from meats, which God has created for use, under a pretence of religion, and so deceives his own soul; and indeed every sin which a wicked man commits is a deceitful work; it promises him that pleasure, or profit, or liberty, which it does not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:19

As righteousness tendeth to life ,.... Or, is unto life: not mere outward acts of moral righteousness; these may be done where there is no principle of spiritual life, and are no other than dead works, and will never bring to everlasting life; indeed the best righteousness of man's is no justification of life, nor can it entitle to it, nor is meritorious of it. Godliness, or true holiness, has the promise of this life and that to come, 1 Timothy 4:8 ; and so here in the Hebrew text it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:20

They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord ,.... Such as are men of perverse dispositions and principles; that are contrary to the light of nature, the law of God, and Gospel of Christ; who, like the Jews of old, please not God, and are contrary to all men, to all good men; as antichrist and his followers, these work abomination, and make a lie, and speak lies in hypocrisy; are double hearted men, hypocrites, that say one thing and mean another; and, under the pretence of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:21

Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished ,.... Though they give the hand to one another, unite in their counsels, enter into combinations, confederacies, and strict alliances, and join all their force and strength together; or though with both hands, with all their might and main, endeavour to secure themselves, yet they shall not go unpunished. This may be exemplified in the kings of the earth, that will join each other, and gather their armies together, to make war... read more

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