Proverbs 19:20-29 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:20

Note, 1. It is well with those that are wise in their latter end, wise for their latter end, for their future state, wise for another world, that are found wise when their latter end comes, wise virgins, wise builders, wise stewards, that are wise at length, and understand the things that belong to their peace, before they be hidden from their eyes. A carnal worldling at his end shall be a fool (Jer. 17:11), but godliness will prove wisdom at last. 2. Those that would be wise in their latter... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:21

Here we have, 1. Men projecting. They keep their designs to themselves, but they cannot hide them from God; he knows the many devices that are in men's hearts,?devices against his counsels (as those, Ps. 2:1-3; Mic. 4:11),?devices without his counsel (no regard had to his providence, as those Jas. 4:13; this and the other they will do, and not take God along with them),?devices unlike God's counsels; men are wavering in their devices, and often absurd and unjust, but God's counsels are wise... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:22

Note, 2c6c 1. The honour of doing good is what we may laudably be ambitious of. It cannot but be the desire of man, if he have any spark of virtue in him, to be kind; one would not covet an estate for any thing so much as thereby to be put into a capacity of relieving the poor and obliging our friends. 2. It is far better to have a heart to do good and want ability for it than have ability for it and want a heart to it: The desire of a man to be kind, and charitable, and generous, is his... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:23

See what those that get by it that live in the fear of God, and always make conscience of their duty to him. 1. Safety: They shall not be visited with evil; they may be visited with sickness or other afflictions, but there shall be no evil in them, nothing to hurt them, because nothing to separate them from the love of God, or hurt to the soul. 2. Satisfaction: They shall abide satisfied; they shall have those comforts which are satisfying, and shall have a constant contentment and complacency... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:24

A sluggard is here exposed as a fool, for, 1. All his care is to save himself from labour and cold. See his posture: He hides his hand in his bosom, pretends he is lame and cannot work; his hands are cold, and he must warm them in his bosom; and, when they are warm there, he must keep them so. He hugs himself in his own ease and is resolved against labour and hardship. Let those work that love it; for his part he thinks there is no such fine life as sitting still and doing nothing. 2. He will... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:25

Note, 1. The punishment of scorners will be a means of good to others. When men are so hardened in wickedness that they will not themselves be wrought upon by the severe methods that are used to reclaim and reform them, yet such methods must be used for the sake of others, that they may hear and fear, Deut. 19:20. If the scorner will not be recovered from his sin, the disease being inveterate, yet the simple will beware of venturing upon the sin which exposes men thus. If it cure not the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:26

Here is, 1. The sin of a prodigal son. Besides the wrong he does to himself, he is injurious to his good parents, and basely ungrateful to those that were instruments of his being and have taken so much care and pains about him, which is a great aggravation of his sin and renders it exceedingly sinful in the eyes of God and man: He wastes is father, wastes his estate which he should have to support him in his old age, wastes his spirits, and breaks his heart, and brings his gray head with... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:27

This is a good caution to those that have had a good education to take heed of hearkening to those who, under pretence of instructing them, draw them off from those good principles under the influence of which they were trained up. Observe, 1. There is that which seems designed for instruction, but really tends to the destruction of young men. The factors for vice will undertake to teach them free thoughts and a fashionable conversation, how to palliate the sins they have a mind to and stop... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:28

Here is a description of the worst of sinners, whose hearts are fully set in them to do evil. 1. They set that at defiance which would deter and detain them from sin: An ungodly witness is one that bears false witness against his neighbour, and will forswear himself to do another a mischief, in which there is not only great injustice, but great impiety; this is one of the worst of men. Or an ungodly witness is one that profanely and atheistically witnesses against religion and godliness, whose... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:29

Note, 1. Scorners are fools. Those that ridicule things sacred and serious do but make themselves ridiculous. Their folly shall be manifest unto all men. 2. Those that scorn judgments cannot escape them, Prov. 19:28. The unbelief of man shall not make God's threatenings of no effect; those that devour iniquity swallow the hook with the bait. The civil magistrate has judgments prepared for scorners, for otherwise he would bear the sword in vain; but if he be remiss, and connive at sin, yet... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:28

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 19:29

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