Proverbs 26:21-25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:20-22

Contention is as a fire; it heats the spirit, burns up all that is good, and puts families and societies into a flame. Now here we are told how that fire is commonly kindled and kept burning, that we may avoid the occasions of strife and so prevent the mischievous consequences of it. If then we would keep the peace, 1. We must not give ear to talebearers, for they feed the fire of contention with fuel; nay, they spread it with combustible matter; the tales they carry are fireballs. Those who... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 26:23

This may be meant either, 1. Of a wicked heart showing itself in burning lips, furious, passionate, outrageous words, burning in malice, and persecuting those to whom, or of whom, they are spoken; ill words and ill-will agree as well together as a potsherd and the dross of silver, which, now that the pot is broken and the dross separated from the silver, are fit to be thrown together to the dunghill. 2. Or of a wicked heart disguising itself with burning lips, burning with the professions of... read more

Matthew Henry

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

There is cause to complain, not only of the want of sincerity in men's profession of friendship, and that they do not love so well as they pretend nor will serve their friends so much as they promise, but, which is much worse, of wicked designs in the profession of friendship, and the making of it subservient to the most malicious intentions. This is here spoken of as a common thing (Prov. 26:24): He that hates his neighbour, and is contriving to do him a mischief, yet dissembles with his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:21

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire ,.... As brands, wood half burnt, or dead coals put to live and burning ones, soon take fire and become like them, and fit and proper fuel for them, and add to their heat: so is a contentious man to kindle strife ; or "a man of contentions" F11 איש מדונים "vir contentionum", Montanus, Baynus, Piscator, Gejerus. ; who is given to it, is full of it; it is agreeable to his natural temper and disposition; he is in his element when... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:22

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. These expressions are the same with those in Proverbs 18:8 ; and are here repeated, as being found along with others by the men of Hezekiah, Proverbs 25:1 ; as some others likewise are; and also because of the importance of them; and to impress the minds of men with a sense of the evil of such a practice, that they may shun it, and avoid those that are given to it. See Gill on Proverbs... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:23

Burning lips, and a wicked heart ,.... Either burning with wrath and malice; breathing out threatenings and slaughter; pursuing men with reproaches and slanders, arising from a wicked heart: or rather, burning with profession of love to God, and affection to good men; with great pretensions of kindness, and promises of good things, when their hearts are wicked, and they design noticing less; say one thing with their lips, with the greatest show of affection and sincerity, and mean another in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:24

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips ,.... He that bears a grudge in his mind, and retains hatred in his heart against any person, hides it all he can, till he has an opportunity of showing it as he would; he pretends a great deal of friendship with his lips, that his hatred might not be known; he would be thought to be a friend, when he is really an enemy; he does not choose as yet to make himself known what he is. Some render it to a sense the reverse, "the enemy", or "he that hateth,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:25

When he speaketh fair, believe him not ,.... Gives good words, flatters with his lips, pretends great kindness and favour, expresses himself in a very gracious and amiable manner, in order to gain attention and respect; or when he delivers himself in a submissive and suppliant way, with great humility and deference; or in a mournful and pitiful strain, as if he had the most tender affection and concern; be not too credulous; do not suffer yourselves to be imposed upon by him; be upon your... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:22

The words of a tale-bearer - The same with Proverbs 18:8 ; (note), where see the note. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 26:23

Burning lips and a wicked heart - Splendid, shining, smooth lips; that is, lips which make great professions of friendship are like a vessel plated over with base metal to make it resemble silver; but it is only a vile pot, and even the outside is not pure. read more

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