Proverbs 27:5-8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:5-6

Note, 1. It is good for us to be reproved, and told of our faults, by our friends. If true love in the heart has but zeal and courage enough to show itself in dealing plainly with our friends, and reproving them for what they say and do amiss, this is really better, not only than secret hatred (as Lev. 19:17), but than secret love, that love to our neighbours which does not show itself in this good fruit, which compliments them in their sins, to the prejudice of their souls. Faithful are the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:7

Solomon here, as often in this book, shows that the poor have in some respects the advantage of the rich; for, 1. They have a better relish of their enjoyments than the rich have. Hunger is the best sauce. Coarse fare, with a good appetite to it has a sensible pleasantness in it, which those are strangers to whose hearts are overcharged with surfeiting. Those that fare sumptuously every day nauseate even delicate food, as the Israelites did the quails; whereas those that have no more than... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:8

Note, 1. There are many that do not know when they are well off, but are uneasy with their present condition, and given to change. God, in his providence, has appointed them a place fit for them and has made it comfortable to them; but they affect unsettledness; they love to wander; they are glad of a pretence to go abroad, and do not care for staying long at a place; they needlessly absent themselves from their own work and care, and meddle with that which belongs not to them. 2. Those that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:5

Open rebuke is better than secret love. This is to be understood, not of rebuke publicly given; though Aben Ezra thinks public reproof is meant, which, arising from love, is better than that which is done in secret, though in love, as being more effectual; for rebuke among friends should be given privately, according to our Lord's direction, Matthew 18:15 ; but it signifies reproof given faithfully and plainly, with openness of heart, and without mincing the matter, and palliating the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:6

Faithful are the wounds of a friend ,.... That is, friendly reproofs; which, though they may be severe, at least thought so, and may grieve and wound, and cause pain and uneasiness for the present, yet, proceeding from a spirit of love, faithfulness, and integrity, and designed for the good of the person reproved, ought to be kindly received; see Psalm 141:5 ; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful ; flow from a deceitful heart, and not to be confided in, as the kisses of Joab... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:7

The full soul loatheth an honeycomb ,.... Or "tramples upon" it F1 תבוס "calcabit", Pagninus, Montanus; "caleat", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Mercerus, Gejerus; "conculcat", Cocceius; "proculcat", Michaelis, Schultens. , as the word signifies, and most versions render it, expressive of contempt and abhorrence; and suits will the situation of the honeycomb, which was usually in trees and rocks in Palestine: and so might drop from thence, and be trampled upon by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:8

As a bird that wandereth from her nest ,.... To seek for food for herself and her young; or that leaves it without returning to it, and so her eggs or her young are exposed, and she herself liable to fall into the hands of birds of prey, or of the fowler, when she would be safe in her nest; as there was a law in Israel in her favour, Deuteronomy 22:6 ; or as one that is forced out and obliged to wander from place to place, Isaiah 16:2 ; so is a man that wandereth from his place ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:5

Open rebuke is better than secret love - Plutarch gives an account of a man who, aiming a blow at his enemy's life, cut open an imposthume, which by a salutary discharge saved his life, that was sinking under a disease for which a remedy could not be found. Partial friendship covers faults; envy, malice, and revenge, will exhibit, heighten, and even multiply them. The former conceals us from ourselves; the latter shows us the worst part of our character. Thus we are taught the necessity of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:8

Is a bird that wandereth from her nest - Leaving her own brood, places of retreat, and feeding-ground behind, and going into strange countries, where she is exposed to every kind of danger. So is the man who leaves his family connections and country, and goes into strange parts to find employment, better his circumstances, make a fortune, etc. I have seen multitudes of such wanderers from their place come to great misery and wretchedness. God's general advice is, "Do good, and dwell in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:1-6

These verses are grouped in pairs, each two being connected in subject. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:5-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 27:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 27:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 27:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 27:1-6

Group of Brands