Proverbs 18:21-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:21

Note, 1. A man may do a great deal of good, or a great deal of hurt, both to others and to himself, according to the use he makes of his tongue. Many a one has been his own death by a foul tongue, or the death of others by a false tongue; and, on the contrary, many a one has saved his own life, or procured the comfort of it, by a prudent gentle tongue, and saved the lives of others by a seasonable testimony or intercession for them. And, if by our words we must be justified or condemned, death... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:22

Note, 1. A good wife is a great blessing to a man. He that finds a wife (that is, a wife indeed; a bad wife does not deserve to be called by a name of so much honour), that finds a help meet for him (that is a wife in the original acceptation of the word), that sought such a one with care and prayer and has found what he sought, he has found a good thing, a jewel of great value, a rare jewel; he has found that which will not only contribute more than any thing to his comfort in this life, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue ,.... Of witnesses, according to the testimony they bear; of judges, according to the sentence they pass; of teachers, according to the doctrine they preach; of all men, who, by their well or ill speaking, bring death or life to themselves and others. Some, by their tongues, by the too free use of them, or falsehood they utter, are the cause of death to themselves and others; and some, by their silence, or by their prudent speech and prevalent... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:22

Whoso findeth a wife ,.... A good one; so the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, supply it; and so the Targum, though it leaves out the word good in the last clause; and no other can be meant, even a good natured one, wise, prudent, careful, and industrious; a proper helpmeet, a virtuous woman, as in Proverbs 31:10 ; whoso seeks after such an one, and finds one, especially one that has the grace of God, which he should seek after among his friends, and by their... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue - This may apply to all men. Many have lost their lives by their tongue, and some have saved their lives by it: but it applies most forcibly to public pleaders; on many of their tongues hangs life or death. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 18:22

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing - Marriage, with all its troubles and embarrassments, is a blessing from God; and there are few cases where a wife of any sort is not better than none, because celibacy is an evil; for God himself hath said, "It is not good for man to be alone." None of the versions, except the Chaldee, are pleased with the naked simplicity of the Hebrew text, hence they all add good: "He that findeth a Good wife findeth a good thing;" and most people, who have not... 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 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; literally, in the hand of the tongue. The tongue, according as it is used, deals forth life or death; for speech is the picture of the mind (comp. Proverbs 12:18 ; Proverbs 26:28 ). The vast importance of our words may be learned from James 3:1-18 .; and our blessed Lord says expressly ( Matthew 12:36 , etc.), "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:22

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing. A good wife is meant, a virtuous, prudent helpmate, as in Proverbs 12:4 ; Proverbs 19:14 ; and 31. The epithet is omitted, because the moralist is thinking of the ideal wife, the one whoso union is blessed, who alone deserves the holy name of wife. Thus in Proverbs 19:4 we had the ideal man spoken of. Septuagint, εὖρε χάριτας , " findeth graces," viz. peace, union, plenty, ruder (see a different view, Ecclesiastes 7:26-28 ). And... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:22

The blessedness of true marriage The Bible does not regard marriage as "a failure," nor does it treat celibacy as a more saintly condition. Even St. Paul, who does not seem to have been a married man, and who is thought by some to undervalue marriage, gives to it a eulogium in describing the union of husband and wife as a copy of the mystical union of Christ and his Church ( Ephesians 5:22-32 ). I. THE BLESSEDNESS OF MARRIAGE . 1 . The companionship of love. The... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 18:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 18:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:17-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:22

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