Proverbs 24:23-25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 24:23-26

Here are lessons for wise men, that is, judges and princes. As subjects must do their duty, and be obedient to magistrates, so magistrates must do their duty in administering justice to their subjects, both in pleas of the crown and causes between party and party. These are lessons for them. 1. They must always weigh the merits of a cause, and not be swayed by any regard, one way or other, to the parties concerned: It is not good in itself, nor can it ever do well, to have respect of persons... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 24:23

These things also belong to the wise ,.... Both what is said before concerning fearing God and the king; these belong to the wise and unwise, rich and poor, great and small; particularly judges and civil magistrates, and all subordinate governors, who have, or ought to have, a competency of wisdom; these ought to fear God and the king, as well as private subjects; and also what follows after, especially in this verse and Proverbs 24:24 . Some render the words, "these things also are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 24:24

He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous ,.... Not in a private way, or as giving his opinion or character of a man that is wicked, whom either through ignorance or flattery another may call righteous; which may be done and not resented by people and nations; but in an open court of judicature pronounced by the judge, justifying the wicked for reward, and condemning the just, which is an abomination unto the Lord; see Proverbs 17:15 ; nor should the ministers of the Gospel... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 24:25

But to them that rebuke him shall be delight ,.... That is, such that rebuke in the gate, or openly, in a court of judicature; that reprove delinquents, such as are found guilty of malpractices, and punish them as they ought to be, according to the laws of God and man; they shall have delight in themselves, peace and pleasure in their own minds; or the people shall delight in them, and speak well of them, and think themselves happy under such a just administration; or the Lord shall... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 24:23

These things also belong to the wise - לחכמים אלה גם gam elleh lachachamim , "These also to wise." This appears to be a new section; and perhaps, what follows belongs to another collection. Probably fragments of sayings collected by wise men from the Proverbs of Solomon. It is not good to have respect - Judgment and justice should never be perverted. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 24:17-29

The ignobler and the nobler spirit (See homily on Proverbs 20:22 .) There can be no question at all, for the testimony of human history is everywhere and at all times the same, as to— I. OUR DISPOSITION UNDER SIN , IN VIEW OF OUR ENEMIES . These two passages indicate it. It is both passive and active. 1 . A disposition to rejoice at their discomfiture; to exult in the secret places of the soul when we hear of their failure, of their defeat, or even of their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 24:23

These things also belong to the wise; are the sayings of wise men. The following proverbs, as well as the preceding, are derived from wise men. Mistaking this superscription, the LXX . makes it a personal address: "This I say to you who are wise, so that ye may learn." The first line is not a proverb, but the introduction to the ensuing collection. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment (see Proverbs 18:5 , and note there; and Proverbs 28:21 , where the expression is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 24:23-25

Partiality and impartiality a hexastich. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 24:23-25

Partiality and equality in judgment I. RESPECT OF PERSONS . The literal translation is, "To distinguish persons in judgment is not good." The judge should be impartial as the pair of scales, the emblem of his office, and blind to the persons who appear before him, that is, to their rank and position, as the symbolical figure of Justice is represented to be. "One foul sentence doth more hurt than many foul examples; these do but corrupt the stream, the other corrupteth the fountain." ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 24:23-34

Part V . A SECOND COLLECTION , forming a second supplement to the first Solomonic book, and containing further "words of the wise." read more

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