New Living Translation
Proverbs 18:14
14The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?
Proverbs 18:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
- New International Version (NIV)The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
- English Standard Version (ESV)A man's spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?
- New King James Version (NKJV)The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?
Context of Proverbs 18:14
12Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. 13Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? 15Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. 16Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people!
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:14 word by word
רֽוּחַ־אִ֭ישׁ יְכַלְכֵּ֣ל מַחֲלֵ֑הוּ וְר֥וּחַ נְ֝כֵאָ֗ה מִ֣י יִשָּׂאֶֽנָּה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:14
- Job 1:20Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.
- Job 2:7So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.
- Psalms 147:3He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
- Romans 5:3We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
- Romans 8:35Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
- 2 Corinthians 1:12We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
- James 1:2Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
- 1 Peter 1:6So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.
- Proverbs 17:22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
- Job 6:4For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows. Their poison infects my spirit. God’s terrors are lined up against me.
- Job 7:14but then you shatter me with dreams and terrify me with visions.
- Job 10:15If I am guilty, too bad for me; and even if I’m innocent, I can’t hold my head high, because I am filled with shame and misery.
- Psalms 30:9“What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness?
- Psalms 32:3When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.
- Psalms 38:2Your arrows have struck deep, and your blows are crushing me.
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14The spirit of a man will sustain - A man sustains the ills of his body, and the trials of life, by the strength and energy of his mind. But if the mind be scoundrel, if this be cast down, if slow-consuming care and grief have shot the dagger into the soul, what can then sustain the man? Nothing but the unseen God. Therefore, let the afflicted pray. A man's own spirit has, in general, sufficient fortitude to bear up under the unavoidable trials of life…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14Infirmity - Bodily pain or trouble. “Spirit” in the Hebrew text is masculine in the first clause, feminine in the second, as though used in the latter as having lost its strength.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14Verse 14 Firmness of mind supports under many pains and trials. But when the conscience is tortured with remorse, no human fortitude can bear the misery; what then will hell be?Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14A spiritual or emotional problem, like a crushed spirit, can be more challenging than a physical illness.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. infirmity--bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:14
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
Commentaries