Proverbs 21:21-23 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:21

See here, 1. What it is to make religion our business; it is to follow after righteousness and mercy, not to content ourselves with easy performances, but to do our duty with the utmost care and pains, as those that are pressing forward and in fear of coming short. We must both do justly and love mercy, and must proceed and persevere therein; and, though we cannot attain to perfection, yet it will be a comfort to us if we aim at it and follow after it. 2. What will be the advantage of doing... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:22

Note, 1. Those that have power are apt to promise themselves great things from their power. The city of the mighty thinks itself impregnable, and therefore its strength is the confidence thereof, what it boasts of and trust in, bidding defiance to danger. 2. Those that have wisdom, though they are so modest as not to promise much, often perform great things, even against those that are so confident of their strength, by their wisdom. Good conduct will go far even against great force; and a... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:23

Note, 1. It is our great concern to keep our souls from straits, being entangled in snares and perplexities, and disquieted with troubles, that we may preserve the possession and enjoyment of ourselves and that our souls may be in frame for the service of God. 2. Those that would keep their souls must keep a watch before the door of their lips, must keep the mouth by temperance, that no forbidden fruit go into it, no stolen waters, that nothing be eaten or drunk to excess; they must keep the... read more

John Gill

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

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy ,.... Is eager, diligent, and fervent in his pursuit of these things: "after righteousness"; not a legal righteousness, such as the Jews followed after, but did not attain to; because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law, Romans 9:31 ; by which there is no righteousness or justification before God; but an evangelical righteousness, the righteousness of Christ; see Isaiah 51:1 . To follow after it is to seek,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:22

A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty ,.... Which makes good what is elsewhere said, that "wisdom is better than strength", Ecclesiastes 9:16 ; and sometimes more is done by prudence and wisdom, by art and cunning, by schemes and stratagems, than by power and force; especially in military affairs, and particularly in besieging and taking fortified cities; when one wise man, by his wisdom, may so order and manage things, as to be able, with a few under his command, to mount the walls... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:23

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue ,.... Guards the one and bridles the other; is careful of what he says, that it is truth, and without dissimulation and guile; and is not injurious to the characters of men, and is not offensive and provoking; who abstains from ill and wrathful language, and which tends to stir up wrath and contention. Aben Ezra distinguishes between the mouth and tongue, and interprets it, that keeps his mouth from eating, that is, immoderately and intemperately; and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 21:22

A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty - Wisdom is in many respects preferable to strength, even in the case of defense. See what skill does in the fortification and reduction of strong places. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:21

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy. "Righteousness" ( tsedakah ) , in the first hemistich, signifies the virtue which renders to all, God and man, their due, which is the characteristic of the righteous man (see on Proverbs 15:9 ). "Mercy" ( chesed ) is the conduct towards others, animated by love and sympathy (see note on Proverbs 3:3 ). Findeth life, righteoushess, and honor. "Righteousness" here is the gift of God to his faithful servants, grace to live a holy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:21

The successful search What a lamentable history might be written of human lives that would be correctly described as unsuccessful searches! Who, save the Omniscient One, can tell how many have lived and toiled, have struggled and suffered, in search of a goal which they never reached?—it may have been in business, or in the domain of the affections, or in the pursuit of art or of science, or in politics, or in exploration on land or sea. It is a thought of relief and comfort that no human... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:21-23

The wise and the loving life I. IT IS AN ARDENT ENTHUSIASTIC LIFE . ( Proverbs 21:21 .) Literally, he who hunts after justice and love will find life, righteousness, and honour. So in other figures—of hungering and thirsting, of digging eagerly for hid treasures, etc.—the earnest enthusiasm of the true life is depicted. II. IT IS A LIFE OF PRESENT POSSESSION AND ENJOYMENT . So in the New Testament ( Romans 3:26 ; Galatians 3:21 ). III. THE ... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:23

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 21:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:21-23

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