Proverbs 18:19 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:19

Note, 1. Great care must be taken to prevent quarrels among relations, and those that are under special obligation to each other, not only because they are most unnatural and unbecoming, but because between such things are commonly taken most unkindly, and resentments are apt to be carried too far. Wisdom and grace would indeed make it most easy to us to forgive our relations and friends if they offend us, but corruption makes it most difficult to forgive them; let us therefore take heed of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:19

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city ,.... A fortified city may sooner be taken by an enemy, than one brother offended can be reconciled to another; their resentments against each other are keener than against another person that has offended them; and their love being turned into hatred, it is more bitter; and it is more difficult to compose differences between brethren than between enemies; wherefore such should take care that they fall not out by the way: this is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 18:19

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city - Almost all the versions agree in the following reading: "A brother assisted by a brother, is like a fortified city; and their decisions are like the bars of a city." Coverdale is both plain and terse: "The unitie of brethren is stronger then a castell, and they that holde together are like the barre of a palace." The fable of the dying father, his sons, and the bundle of faggots, illustrates this proverb. Unity among brethren makes... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:17-21

Evils of the tongue and of contention I. THE FOLLY OF HASTE IN DEBATE . ( Proverbs 18:17 .) "One tale is good till another be told." This saw holds good of private life, of lawsuits, of controversies in philosophy and theology. Audi alteram, partem, " Listen to both sides." This is the duty of the judge, or of him who for the time being plays the judicial part. If we are parties in a debate or a suit, then nothing will hold good except to have the "conscience void of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:19

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city. Something must be supplied on which the comparative notion min, "than," depends. So we may understand "resists more," or something similar. A brother or a once close friend, when injured or deceived, becomes a potent and irreconcilable enemy. The idea of the preceding verses is carried on, and the primary thought is still concerning lawsuits and matters brought before a judge. This is shown in the second clause by the use of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:19

Brethren at strife The reference in the text is to— I. A DIFFICULTY EVERYWHERE ACKNOWLEDGED . It seems to have been universally felt that a "brother offended" is very hard indeed "to be won." It is more easy to effect a reconciliation between strangers than between those united by ties of blood. Hence a family feud is usually a very long as well as a very sad one. This does not seem to be a local or a national peculiarity. What Solomon wrote in his land and age might be written... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 18:19

Proverbs 18:19 . A brother offended Namely, by his brother’s unkindness or injury; is harder to be won Or, is stronger and more impregnable; than a strong city Which is hardly to be conquered. And their contentions are like the bars of a castle Which are very strong, and not to be broken, as being made of iron or brass: see 1 Kings 4:13; Isaiah 45:2. The truth of this assertion is confirmed by the testimony of several learned men who affirm the same thing; and the reason of it is... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:1-24

Real strength (18:1-24)When people become too confident in their own opinions, they are liable to break away from former friends. They become unreasonable in discussion and blind to the viewpoints of others. Those who despise others will themselves be disgraced (18:1-3). The words of the wise bring refreshment, but those of a fool or a gossip bring destruction (4-8).Those who leave work undone are almost as bad as those who wreck what already has been done (9). Those who trust in God know they... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 18:19

offended = dealt falsely with. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 18:19

"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; And such contentions are like the bars of a castle."The meaning here is uncertain. The underlined words are not in the Hebrew but were added by the translators. "A brother helped by a brother is like a fortified city; he holds firm as the bars of a castle."[21] "Help your brother, and he will protect you like a strong city wall; but, if you quarrel with him, he will close his doors to you."[22] In the three versions cited here there is... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 18:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:17-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:19

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 18:19

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:1-24

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 18:19

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 18:19

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