Proverbs 9:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 9:1-12

Wisdom is here introduced as a magnificent and munificent queen, very great and very generous; that Word of God is this Wisdom in which God makes known his goodwill towards men; God the Word is this Wisdom, to whom the Father has committed all judgment. He who, in the chapter before, showed his grandeur and glory as the Creator of the world, here shows his grace and goodness as the Redeemer of it. The word is plural, Wisdoms; for in Christ are hid treasures of wisdom, and in his undertaking... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:9

Give instruction to a wise man ,.... In the Hebrew text it is only "give to a wise man"; give him reproof, correction, chastisement, doctrine, or instruction, be it what it will, he will be the better for it. The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, render it, "give occasion"; to him of showing his wisdom and of improving in it: and he will be yet wiser ; he will learn something by every him that is given him, whether it be by way of rebuke, or by way of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 9:9

Give instruction to a wise man - Literally give to the wise, and he will be wise. Whatever you give to such, they reap profit from it. They are like the bee, they extract honey from every flower. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:1-18

15. Fifteenth admonitory discourse, containing in a parabolic form an invitation of Wisdom ( Proverbs 9:1-12 ), and that of her rival Folly ( Proverbs 9:13-18 ). The chapter sums up in brief the warnings of the preceding part. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:4-12

Here follows the invitation of Wisdom, urging the attendance of guests at the sumptuous banquet which she has prepared (comp. Revelation 19:9 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:7-9

Warnings against refusal So, in connection with the preceding section, we may take these words. I. EVERY REFUSAL OF WISDOM IMPLIES THE PREFERENCE OF THE OPPOSITE . It implies that the associations of folly are more congenial than those of sound sense ( Proverbs 9:6 ), which is a preference of death to life, in its effect. II. THE SCOFFING HABIT IS AN INDICATION OF FOLLY . ( Proverbs 9:7 .) Under the general head of fools come scoffers and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:7-9

The penalty and promise of instruction It is not only the function of the minister of Christ to "reprove, rebuke, and exhort" ( 2 Timothy 4:2 ); the "man of God" is to be so furnished from Scripture as to be able to administer "reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness" ( 2 Timothy 3:16 .17). But instruction, especially when it takes the form of correction, has its penalty as well as its recompense. I. THE PENALTY OF INSTRUCTION . ( Proverbs 9:7 , Proverbs... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:7-10

These verses form a parenthesis, showing why Wisdom addresses only the simple and foolish. She giveth not that which is holy unto dogs, nor casteth pearls before swine ( Matthew 7:6 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:9

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser. The Hebrew is merely "give to the wise," with no object mentioned; but the context suggests "instruction," even though, as in Proverbs 9:8 , it takes the form of rebuke. Vulgate and Septuagint, "Give an opportunity to a wise man, and he will be wiser" (comp. Matthew 13:12 ; Matthew 25:29 ). To make the best use of all occasions of learning duty, whether they present themselves in a winning or a forbidden shape, is the part of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 9:9

An open mind There are two classes of minds that seem to be armour proof against the invasion of new light. One contains those people who, to use the phraseology of the Roman Catholic Church, are in a state of "invincible ignorance." The other contains the much more numerous people who know just enough to feel s pride of superiority to their fellows, and who wrap themselves up in the infallibility of self-conceit. To these persons Pope's often misapplied maxim may be fairly appropriated - ... read more

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