Jamieson–Fausset–Brown CommentaryProverbs 18

CHAPTER 18

Pr 18:1-24. 1. Through desire ... seeketh--that is, seeks selfish gratification. intermeddleth ... wisdom--or, "rushes on" (Pr 17:14) against all wisdom, or what is valuable (Pr 2:7).

2. that his heart ... itself--that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Pr 12:23; 15:2).

3. So surely are sin and punishment connected (Pr 16:4). wicked, for "wickedness," answers to ignominy, or the state of such; and contempt, the feeling of others to them; and to reproach, a manifestation of contempt.

4. Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.

5. accept the person--(Compare Psa 82:2). "It is not good" is to be supplied before "to overthrow."

6-7. The quarrelsome bring trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them (Pr 6:2).

8. (Compare Pr 16:28). as wounds--not sustained by the Hebrew; better, as "sweet morsels," which men gladly swallow. innermost ... belly--the mind, or heart (compare Pr 20:27-30; Psa 22:14).

9. One by failing to get, the other by wasting wealth, grows poor. waster--literally, "master of washing," a prodigal.

10. name of the Lord--manifested perfections (Psa 8:1; 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, &c., on which men rely. is safe--literally, "set on high, out of danger" (Psa 18:2; 91:4).

11. contrasts with Pr 18:10 (compare Pr 10:15). Such is a vain trust (compare Psa 73:6).

12. (Compare Pr 15:33; 16:18).

13. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Pr 26:12).

14. infirmity--bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.

15. (Compare Pr 1:5, 15, 31).

16. (Compare Pr 17:8, 23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.

17. One-sided statements are not reliable. searcheth--thoroughly (Pr 17:9, 19).

18. The lot--whose disposal is of God (Pr 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.

19. No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.

20. (Compare Pr 12:14; 13:2). Men's words are the fruit, or, increase of his lips, and when good, benefit them. satisfied with--(Compare Pr 1:31; 14:14).

21. Death and life--or, the greatest evil and good. that love it--that is, the tongue, or its use for good or evil. eat ... fruit--(Compare Pr 18:19; Jas 1:19).

22. The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Pr 19:14 imply (compare Pr 31:10).

23. the rich ... roughly--He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.

24. A man ... friendly--better, "A man ... (is) to, or, may triumph (Psa 108:9), or, shout for joy (Psa 5:11), that is, may congratulate himself." Indeed, there is a Friend who is better than a brother; such is the "Friend of sinners" [Mt 11:19; Lu 7:34], who may have been before the writer's mind.