Proverbs 14:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:9

See here, 1. How wicked people are hardened in their wickedness: they make a mock at sin. They make a laughing matter of the sins of others, making themselves and their companions merry with that for which they should mourn, and they make a light matter of their own sins, both when they are tempted to sin and when they have committed it; they call evil good and good evil (Isa. 5:20), turn it off with a jest, rush into sin (Jer. 8:6) and say they shall have peace though they go on. They care... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:9

Fools make a mock at sin ,.... At sinful actions, their own or others; they make light of them, a jest of them, call evil good, and good evil; take pleasure in doing them themselves, and in those that do them; yea, sport themselves with the mischief that arises from them unto others; they make a mock at reproofs for them, and scoff at those that instruct and rebuke them; and laugh at a future state, and an awful judgment they are warned of, and in a scoffing manner say, "where is the promise... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 14:9

Fools make a mock at sin - And only fools would do so. But he that makes a sport of sinning, will find it no sport to suffer the vengeance of an eternal fire. Some learned men by their criticisms have brought this verse into embarrassments, out of which they were not able to extricate it. I believe we shall not come much nearer the sense than our present version does. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:8-19

The understanding of one's way I. THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE . ( Proverbs 14:8 .) To note, to observe, to take heed to one's way, is the characteristic of the man who is prudent for time and wise for eternity. And, on the contrary, the very principle of folly is self-deception—to be followed in turn by a terrible awakening to sobriety and recognition of the truth (comp. Psalms 7:15 ; Job 4:8 ). The right way is illustrated both positively and negatively. II. SOME PARTICULAR ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:9

Fools make a mock at sin. So the Vulgate (comp. Proverbs 10:23 ). Fools, wicked men, commit sin lightly and cheerfully, give specious names to grievous transgressions, pass over rebuke with a joke, encourage others in crime by their easy way of viewing it. But in the original the verb is in the singular number, while the noun is plural, and the clause could be translated as in the Authorized Version only with the notion that the number of the verb is altered in order to individualize the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:9

The sadness of sin It is foolish enough to use the words "sin" and "sinner" in the light and flippant way in which they are frequently employed. But to "make a mock at sin" itself, to treat otherwise than seriously the fact and forces of sin, is folly indeed. For sin is— I. THE SADDEST AND STERNEST FACT IN ALL THE UNIVERSE OF GOD . It is the ultimate cause of all the disorder, misery, ruin, and death that are to be found beneath any sky. There is no curse or... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 14:9

Proverbs 14:9. Fools make a mock at sin Wicked men, here meant by fools, please and divert themselves with their own and other men’s sins, which is a high offence to God and all good men. Or, as others render the clause, excuse, or cover sin; they sin against God or men, and then justify or extenuate their sins, which is to double the iniquity. Possibly the Hebrew of this clause, אולים יליצ אשׁם , may be rendered, Sin deludes, or makes a mock of, fools, or sinners; that is, exposes... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:1-35

Hidden feelings and motives (14:1-35)Wisdom builds, but folly destroys. People’s actions reveal their attitude to God (14:1-2). The wisdom of their speech and their commitment to hard work are among the things that determine whether they progress or come to ruin (3-5). Those who think they know everything can never become truly wise and therefore can never have right discernment in the moral issues of life (6-8).Good people may prosper and evil people may suffer loss, but outward appearances do... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 14:9

make a mock. The verb is singular, and probably the plural "fools" means "A great fool makes a mock", &c. sin = guilt. The proper name for the trespass offering. Hebrew. 'asham ( App-44 .) Illustrations: the antediluvians (Luke 17:26 , Luke 17:27 ; 1 Peter 3:20 ); Abner (2 Samuel 2:14-17 ); Haman (Esther 3:13-15 . Est 29:2 ); the Jews (Isaiah 22:13 ). the righteous = upright ones. favour. Those who offer the trespass offering, experience the Divine favour. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 14:9

"A trespass-offering mocketh fools; But among the upright there is good will.""A trespass-offering (or any kind of worship) mocks all worshippers who are willfully wicked. Expecting God's favor, they do not get it."[11] In the second clause, the American Standard Version marginal reference changes `there is good will' to `there is favor of God.' read more

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