Skip to main content

Proverbs Chapter 11 @ Commentary for Proverbs 11 (Proverbs 11:1-31)


Proverbs Chapter 11

1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Commentary for Proverbs 11

Click here to view
1 However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord. #2|. Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom. #3|. An honest man's principles are fixed, therefore his way is plain. #4|. Riches will stand men in no stead in the day of death. #5,6|. The ways of wickedness are dangerous. And sin will be its own punishment. #7|. When a godly man dies, all his fears vanish; but when a wicked man dies, his hopes vanish. #8|. The righteous are often wonderfully kept from going into dangerous situations, and the ungodly go in their stead. #9|. Hypocrites delude men into error and sin by artful objections against the truths of God's word. #10,11|. Nations prosper when wicked men are cast down. #12|. A man of understanding does not judge of others by their success. #13|. A faithful man will not disclose what he is trusted with, unless the honour of God and the real good of society require it. #14|. We shall often find it to our advantage to advise with others. #15|. The welfare of our families, our own peace, and our ability to pay just debts, must not be brought into danger. But here especially let us consider the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in becoming Surety even for enemies. #16|. A pious and discreet woman will keep esteem and respect, as strong men keep possession of wealth. #17|. A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, is vexatious to those that are, and should be to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself. #18|. He that makes it his business to do good, shall have a reward, as sure to him as eternal truth can make it. #19|. True holiness is true happiness. The more violent a man is in sinful pursuits, the more he hastens his own destruction. #20|. Nothing is more hateful to God, than hypocrisy and double dealing, which are here signified. God delights in such as aim and act with uprightness. #21|. Joining together in sin shall not protect the sinners. #22|. Beauty is abused by those who have not discretion or modesty with it. This is true of all bodily endowments. #23|. The wicked desire mischief to others, but it shall return upon themselves. #24|. A man may grow poor by not paying just debts, not relieving the poor, not allowing needful expenses. Let men be ever so saving of what they have, if God appoints, it comes to nothing. #25|. Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren. #26|. We must not hoard up the gifts of God's bounty, merely for our own advantage. #27|. Seeking mischief is here set against seeking good; for those that are not doing good are doing hurt, even to themselves. 28|. The true believer is a branch of the living Vine. When those that take root in the world wither, those who are grafted into Christ shall be fruitful. #29|. He that brings trouble upon himself and his family, by carelessness, or by wickedness, shall be unable to keep and enjoy what he gets, as a man is unable to hold the wind, or to satisfy himself with it. #30|. The righteous are as trees of life; and their influence upon earth, like the fruits of that tree, support and nourish the spiritual life in many. #31|. Even the righteous, when they offend on earth, shall meet with sharp corrections; much more will the wicked meet the due reward of their sins. Let us then seek those blessings which our Surety purchased by his sufferings and death; let us seek to copy his example, and to keep his commandments.

Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Book of Proverbs

The subject of this book may be thus stated by an enlargement on the opening verses. 1. The Proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel. The author who wrote the most for it is Solomon, who composed his sayings during his reign from 970 to 930 B.C. (Prov. 1:1). Solomon highly likely penned chapters 1 to 29 of Proverbs. Agur wrote chapter thirty. King Lemuel wrote chapter thirty-one. The author tell us right in the first chapter the nine sets of reasons why the book was written. He penned it to offer instruction, wisdom and understanding (verse 2). He also recorded the book to help others gain an understanding of judgment and equity (verse 3), to acquire simple prudence (verse 4) and to offer discretion and knowledge to the young (verse 4). In verses 5 and 6 Solomon additionally states he recorded his words to increase the wisdom of somebody already wise, to offer advice on wise counsel, and to give understanding regarding the enigmas and riddles given by tho...
Post a Comment
Read more

Proverbs Chapter 2 @ Commentary for Proverbs 2 (Proverbs 2:1-22)

Proverbs Chapter 2 1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea , every good path. 10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil m...
Post a Comment
Read more

Proverbs Chapter 6 @ Commentary for Proverbs 6 (Proverbs 6:1-35)

Proverbs Chapter 6 1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, 2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. 3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go,  humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. 4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. 5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter , and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. 12 A na...
Post a Comment
Read more