Proverbs 22:5-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:5

Note 1. The way of sin is vexatious and dangerous: In the way of the froward, that crooked way, which is contrary to the will and word of God, thorns and snares are found, thorns of grief for past sins and snares entangling them in further sin. He that makes no conscience of what he says and does will find himself hampered by that imaginary liberty, and tormented by his pleasures. Froward people, who are soon angry, expose themselves to trouble at every step. Every thing will fret and vex him... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 22:6

Here is, 1. A great duty enjoined, particularly to those that are the parents and instructors of children, in order to the propagating of wisdom, that it may not die with them: Train up children in that age of vanity, to keep them from the sins and snares of it, in that learning age, to prepare them for what they are designed for. Catechise them; initiate them; keep them under discipline. Train them as soldiers, who are taught to handle their arms, keep rank, and observe the word of command.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:5

Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward ,.... Who walks contrary to the will and law of God; such a man meets with troubles, which are as thorns, grieving and distressing to him; and is taken in snares, and brought into difficulties, out of which he is not easily extricated; the thorns of affliction, and the snares of Satan: by the one his way is hedged up, and in the other his feet are taken; he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them ; he that is concerned for the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go ,.... As Abraham trained up his children, and those born in his house, in the way of the Lord, in the paths of justice and judgment; which are the ways in which they should go, and which will be to their profit and advantage; see Genesis 14:14 ; and which is the duty of parents and masters in all ages, and under the present Gospel dispensation, even to bring such who are under their care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, Ephesians 6:4 ;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 22:5

Thorns and snares - Various difficulties, trials, and sufferings. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go - The Hebrew of this clause is curious: דרכו פי על לנער חנך chanoch lannaar al pi darco , "Initiate the child at the opening (the mouth) of his path." When he comes to the opening of the way of life, being able to walk alone, and to choose; stop at this entrance, and begin a series of instructions, how he is to conduct himself in every step he takes. Show him the duties, the dangers, and the blessings of the path; give him directions how to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:1-5

The general conditions of a good name I. WHAT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ITS FOUNDATION . 1 . Riches . ( Proverbs 22:1 .) Riches have their worth; reputation has its worth; but the latter is of an order altogether different from the former. The former gives a physical, the latter a moral, power. It is right that we should have regard to the opinion of good men. "An evil name shall inherit disgrace and reproach," says Sirach 6:1. And we have, as Christians, clearly to think... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:1-16

The theme of the earlier part of the chapter may be said to be the good name: the blessings in the possession of it, and the conditions for the acquirement of it—partly negatively, partly positively, described. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:5

Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward. The words are in the Hebrew without the conjunction (see note, Proverbs 22:4 ), though the versions generally add it. Thus the Septuagint, τρίβολοι καὶ παγίδες ; Vulgate, arma et gladiii but the Venetian, ἄκανθαι παγίδες . It is a question whether the thorns are what the perverse prepare for others, or what they themselves suffer. In Proverbs 15:19 the hedge of thorns represented the difficulties in the sluggard's path; but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 22:5

The path of the perverse By "the froward" we understand the spiritually perverse—those that will go on their own way, deaf to the commandments and the entreaties of their heavenly Father. I. THE PATH OF THE PERVERSE , This is: 1 . One of guilt. These froward souls who choose their own way, declining that to which God calls them, are most seriously guilty. Whether their disobedience be due to careless inattention or whether to deliberate recusancy, it is disloyal,... read more

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