The sentence means that when a man gets separated from his place in the universe he seeks, or has a pursuit, after his present bent or longing. 10 The character of God is a tower of strength, for the lovers of God delight to run into his heart. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty ( Proverbs 18:11-12 ), That's again, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before the fall." The sweeter the wine the sharper the vinegar; accordingly, the greater the love implanted by nature, the more bitter the hate where this love is violated.Zeltner. Many a time too has this been exemplified.Wardlaw. The self-conceited man assumes a very sagacious and penetrating looksits down with apparent determination to hear out the cause on both sides, and to judge righteous judgment. But it is hardly well begun, when the self-conceited man sees to the end of it. It is surprising with what agility this spirit of self-conceit gets over difficulties. That great abilities are gifts from God. 1. So if a man is to be a wise man, if his mental and spiritual capabilities are to be developed as his Creator intended they should be, he must at times separate himselfa certain amount of solitude is indispensable. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes ( Proverbs 18:1-6 ). And so it is with the speech of a godly man. It would be indeed a blessing if property was the most precious thing wasted in the contentions of men. and do not forsake your mother's teaching. The perfect holiness of God, which the lost man would upbraid, is what is vital in the cross of Christ. 9 The one who is too lazy to look for work. One of them happens to be their friend; and whether it be he or his adversary that makes the statement, partiality for him stirs their resentment at the injury done to him; the blood warms, and, passion thus striking in, they hastily interrupt the narrationwill hear no more of itand at once proceed to load the enemy of their friend with abuse and imprecation. The gift of one talent is more common than the gift of ten, yet both the ten and the one are gifts from the same hand. 2. It is commonly supposed that ministers cannot repent, although they do not claim, like the Pope, the gift of infallibility; and there is too much reason for the supposition, provided it be not restricted to that order of men; for the same pride that makes one set of men stubborn in their wrong opinions is to be found in other men, although it is not perhaps so much strengthened by particular circumstances, nor so visible in their conduct, because they meet not with the same temptations to discover it. It makes no difference in the end whether a man gets nothing, or spends all that he gets, he can come to poverty by either road. Breaking Down the Key Parts of Proverbs 18:21. Although it tends to his own personal exaltation and benefit, it is not bestowed for that purpose only or chiefly. Verse 3. There are certain mental capabilities which are the common inheritance of men in general, but it cannot be denied that there are men who, apart from all the differences made by circumstances and education, have capacities and abilities which far exceed those of ordinary men. Hebrew, adam, the gift of a man, however humble and low (Fausset). c 4 There is the cruelty of rage and the flood of . Another passage may serve to confirm this view. Read the direction to trust in itWho is there among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant: that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? The acts of the prodigal and the slothful man differ in themselves, but they all spring from that spirit of self-pleasing which is the essence of ungodliness. Therefore St. Jerome affirms that Judas sinned more in despairing of his Masters pardon than in betraying Him; since nothing can be more derogatory to the goodness of God, which He hath granted by promise and oathtwo immutable witnessesto penitent sinners than to credit the father of lies before Him.T. (NEB) But there are troubles far heavier than any of these, from which riches afford no protection. None but a cruel man will be a tale-bearer. In this verse the thought is the advantage of its use as putting an end to contention. Most of the commentaries however tend to be older (pre . And when it has unhappily succeeded in wounding us, we instantly have recourse to means for preventing the poison from getting into the mass of the blood, and pervading the system. For such ought to be the command of love between brethren, that he that breaks it is a disloyal rebel unto it. If he would grow wise in the mysteries of the natural world he must oftentimes shut himself away from the haunts of men, and ponder the manifold phenomena which creation presents to him, and endeavour to unravel her secrets. The poor man has to entreat; sort of beg. He is morose and supercilious. Time, when gone, never returns. Ignominy, rather, shameful deeds., This verse also, as will be seen from a reference to the Critical Notes, and also from the Comments, is susceptible of several interpretations. Proverbs 18:4. Although the Divine Creator gives to all men liberally, He does not give to all equally, but seeing that man is not responsible for this inequality, those who are most richly endowed should find in the fact of their superiority matter for gratitude and not for self-glorification. A pretty thing for him to cavil! His attention soon flags; he gets sick of it; he seems as if he were listening when he is not, and with a yawn of exhaustion and misery he pronounces his verdict, and at times with great decision, for no other purpose than to get quit of the trouble. Whereas impatiency for anything that is lost taketh away the comfort of all that remaineth, yea, the comfort of thine own self.Jermin. Verse 11. Proverbs 12:18; Proverbs 26:28). Prudence, i.e., wisdom applied to practice, is an indispensable qualification for obtaining knowledge. I. If a man possesses an estate beneath whose surface he knows there lies buried much precious mineral treasure, he must bring much wisdom and skill into play before he has the treasure in his hand. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Many men seek secular knowledge for the sole purpose of acquiring fame by the acquisition. But these human vipers infuse their poison in the language of kindness and love. 11 The rich, in their conceit, imagine that their wealth. The man who seeks contention will alway find others like-minded with himself who will be willing to do for him what he has done for others, and he who calls for strokes upon his fellow-creatures will receive them upon his own head with compound interest. The waters in a shallow and stagnant pond give little or no refreshment to the thirsty traveller; they may even be the means of imparting disease to those who drink of them, or who live near them. So the man whose words are listened to and waited for by other menwhether he be the skilful barrister, or the powerful statesman, or the preacher of the Gospel, has a satisfaction in being able so to put forth his conceptions as to give to his fellow-men new ideasto show them things in a light in which they might never have seen them but for this power which he possesses. If he were to give his opinion upon a building as soon as the builders had dug out the foundation, or were to criticise a picture when the artist had only sketched its outline upon his canvas, he would be deemed a fool, and what he said would have no weight whatever. In cases when representations differed, and the evidence between them was such as to leave it impossible to say certainly on which side was the preponderance, or when the parties would not submit to arbitration, or when they were too powerful to be safely meddled with, then the lot caused contentions to cease, and parted between the mighty.Wardlaw. And surely, if thou be courageously patient, whatsoever thou mayest lose yet thou enjoyest that which thou hast; or, if thou hast nothing, yet thou shalt enjoy thyself, thou shalt enjoy the comfort of thy own spirit. 18 m Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Then your whole body also is full of light. They are often held in contempt even while living, and the reproaches of those who have been made to suffer by them are heaped upon their heads. There can be no doubt that each has its peculiar temptations (see chap. Those who despise others will themselves be disgraced (18:1-3). Pro 18:1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom. Surely then if we have any desire, we shall separate ourselves from the cloudy atmosphere around us, that we may have fellowship with these happy investigators of the Divine mysteries.Bridges. He hath but one grand policy to secure him against all dangers, and that is, to run to God.Trapp. (1) that of those who think they are born for themselves, and that others ought to be ministers of their self-seeking desires; (2) that of those who intermeddle with what does not concern them. Spiritual sickness for sin befalling a reprobate soul, is final and total desperation. Unfriendly people care only about themselves; they lash out at common sense. That's an important proverb to me. h "immiscet se omni negotio", Munster; "omnibus quae sunt immiscet se", Junius & Tremellius. 12/1/22: I just found out that most of the commentaries on the Bible Study Tools website are no longer free. When people become too confident in their own opinions, they are liable to break away from former friends. This is, I think, quite an important proverb, the next one. If we convict a man of prodigality for wasting gold, what shall we say of him who wastes what no gold can buy? Oct 25, 2005. We must try to fathom the profound meaning which is hidden under this simple but striking proverb. Self-conceitthe affectation of extraordinary acuteness. Those who are truly wise seek wisdom for its own sake. The cold-hearted, speculative professor has his flowsometimes a torrent of words, yet without a drop of profitable matter; chilling, even when doctrinally correct; without life, unction, or love. Control. 4. None but a foolish man seeks contention. These two are not apart, but flow easily into each other. If we have to decide between the two interpretations, one blaming and the other commending the life of isolation, the answer must be that the former is more in harmony with the broad, genial temper of the Book of Proverbs.Plumptre. 2. If he desires to become wise by acquaintance with the thoughts and deeds of the great and mighty men of past ages he must withdraw himself at certain seasons from the society of his fellow-men, and give himself up to study and reflection. Because that which flows from his lips is beneficial and refreshing to others. II. 18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends. Friends who dearly love each other and are one in spirit sometimes find nothing between them but a few barsthe iron grating of a dungeon may be all that keeps them apart. Proverbs 18:8. III. Verses 1-2. 47 6 thatphanom.techno@gmail.com 042-532028 , 042-532027 He was David's rock, fortress, deliverer, God, strength, buckler, horn, and high tower ( Ps 18:2 ). High - In the Hebrew the same word as "safe" Proverbs 18:10, and manifestly used in reference to it. A man who is in the general sense of the term an ignorant manwho does not possess even the rudimentary knowledge of an ordinary schoolboyis liable to be imposed upon and deceived by those who know more. but delight in airing their own opinions. David said, "I will love thee, O LORD, my strength" ( Ps 18:1 ). There is a bias in the heart, the fountain of impulse, and the resulting life-course turns deceitfully aside. 1. Proverbs 18:1. Salute thyself; see what thy soul doth wear; Dare to look in thy chest, for tis thine own. 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9), we should seek for a different interpretation. Zockler translates, He that separateth himself seeketh his own pleasure, against all counsel doth he rush on, and the renderings of Stuart, Miller, and Delitzsch are substantially the same, except that Delitzsch translates the latter clauseagainst all that is beneficial he shows his teeth. Other readings are A self-conceited fool seeks to gratify his fancy and intermingleth himself with all things (Schultens); He who has separated himself agitates questions as his desire prompts, and breaks his teeth on every hard point (Schulz); He seeks occasion, who desires to separate himself from his friends (Hodgson). It must be free to stretch out its roots and shoots on every side, and to appropriate to itself those elements in the earth and in the atmosphere which will make it strong and vigorous. The name Jesus is our strong tower. This is a temper the very opposite of the first, but producing a similar effect. What doest thou here? Much is there to be inquired into and pondered. Proverbs 18:1 He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. and their contentions are like the bars of a castle ( Proverbs 18:19 ). web jun 9 1984 paperback 20 55 18 used from 16 58 the gold medallion award winning . II. I. Slothfulness and prodigality have the same origin. II. You faith tested - Jesus sees. We should take great care . Thither their eyes look, thither their hands are stretched, thither their hearts carry them. I'd never be able to see Begin if we didn't have a gift for him, for Israel. This is either to be understood in a good sense, of one that has a real and hearty desire after sound wisdom and knowledge, and seeks in the use of all proper means to attain it; and in order to which he separates himself from the world and the business of it, and retires to his study, and gives up himself to reading, meditation, and prayer; or goes abroad in search of it, as Aben Ezra: or of a vain man that affects singularity; and who, through a desire of gratifying that lust, separates himself, not only from God, as Jarchi interprets it, pursuing his evil imagination and the lust of his heart; and from his friends, as the Septuagint and Arabic versions; but from all men, like the Jews, who "please not God, and are contrary to all men"; so such a man sets himself to despise and contradict the sentiments and opinions of others, and to set up his own in opposition to them. So before any enemy can harm a righteous man, he must overcome the Almighty God; he must circumvent His plans, and overthrow his purposes. This is true in relation to any and every kind of evil to which men are exposed. 18:30-32; 33:11; 1 Tim. He does violence to his own understandingto those mental faculties which enable him to place things side by side and to compare them, and to sift and weigh evidence before he arrives at a conclusion. ", Evidently the intent is, "He who separates himself [from other people]" does so because he wants his own way and does not want others to restrain him. The wife of Potiphar seemed just in her cause when she declared that Joseph left his garment in her hand and fled. I. It is to a man of this stagnant and lazy temperament an exertion quite unbearable to keep his mind so long on the stretch as to listen even to a statement, and still more to an argument or pleading, that cannot be finished in a breath and done with. The answer is plain. So ought every man to watch and guard his own tongue; seeing that life and death are in its power, he ought to bring all his words to the bar of conscience and try them there, severely condemning them if they have not been such as would minister life to the hearers, and remembering that his Master has said, By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned (Matthew 12:37). A fool's mouth is his destruction, his lips are a snare of his soul. There are men whose love cannot be extinguished by coldness and distrust, but they are few and far between, and the wise mans words hold good as a general rule that a man that hath friends must show himself friendly. (The latter clause of this verse was treated in Homiletics on chap. It matters not in what condition man is found, whether in riches or in poverty, whether ignorant and rude or highly civilized and educated, he needs the friendship of one or more of his fellow creatures. Life in conflict - Jesus is your banner. It is the overflow of heartfelt experience. He declares that the state of the inward manits rest or unrest, its gladness or its gloomdepends very much upon the use that is made of the tongue. The wise listen to opinions from all available sources before giving their judgment (13-15). A man's gift maketh room for him and bringeth him before great men. 10 My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them. Even women have borne the most severe bodily sufferings not only with fortitude but with exultationlifted above their bodily pain by a vivid realisation of unseen and spiritual realities and an intense consciousness of the favour of God. The need of cross-examinationof another to come and search him. Questioning may not convict the first person of any mis-statement, but it may elicit other facts which give quite a different colouring to the whole. ESV. And then, when we look around us into the infinitely extended field of the Revelation of God, what a world of heavenly wisdom is there to intermeddle with! And a man who has only heard a part of a matter is in no better position to judge in it, and commits as great a folly if he attempts to do so. The name of the Lord That is, the Lord, as he hath revealed himself in his works, and especially in his word, by his promises, and the declarations of his infinite perfections, and of his good-will to his people; is a strong tower Is sufficient for our protection in the greatest dangers. Zockler translates, "He that separateth himself seeketh his own pleasure, against all counsel doth he rush on," and the renderings of Stuart, Miller, and Delitzsch are substantially the same, except that Delitzsch translates the latter clause"against all that is . Mark the warrant of experience in this trustThey that know thy name shall put their trust in Thee; for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee (Psalms 9:10). I. Wicked men do come into places of power and influence. Whether it be a brother by race, place, or grace; those oft that loved most dearly, if once the devil cast his club between them, hate most deadly. As for brethren by profession, and that of the true religion too, among Protestants, you shall meet with many divisions, and those prosecuted with a great deal of bitterness. That ignorance exposes men to danger. When men take a pride in separating themselves from the sentiments and society of others, in contradicting all that has been said before them and advancing new notions of their own, which, though ever so absurd, they are wedded to, it is to gratify a desire or lust of vain-glory, and they are seekers and meddlers with that which does not belong to them. Proverbs 19:21, MSG. by verse bible commentary studylight org expositor s bible commentary apps on google . Besides, the slower a person is to take offencethe longer he forbearsthe more he forgivesthe more difficult it is fairly to overcome the yearnings of affection, and break the bonds of brotherhoodthe more inveterate may the spirit of resentment be; the more sullen and distant the alienation, when it is actually produced.Wardlaw. (Romans 11:33). He separates himself from all outward hindrances, vain company, trifling amusements or studies, needless engagements, that he may seek and intermeddle with all wisdom. They become unreasonable in discussion and blind to the viewpoints of others. ), "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day . Meditation on Proverbs 18:13. Even Daniel, although a captive in Babylon, found that the God-given powers within him made room for him at a heathen court and brought him before more than one mighty monarch. Let's cast lots for it. Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God (Isaiah 1:10). The favour of a good parent is a thing prized highly by a dutiful child, and enhances the value of every other blessing. It prevents waste of human life. that is: Proverbs 14:29, Proverbs 15:18, Proverbs 19:11, Psalms 103:8, Ephesians 5:1, James 1:19. and he: Proverbs 16:19, Proverbs 25:28, Romans 12:21, Revelation 3:21. Through desire a man having separated himself, &c. ] Here the reading that is in margin, methinks, is the better: "He that separates himself" - either from his friend, as the old interpreter makes the sense, or from anything . A heart made discerning gains in knowledge, etc. Because his soul is in communication with an exhaustless source of spiritual life and wisdom. 2. II. Every attempt at its removal still leaves some portion of it behind. The last requires more self-denial, humility, and patience, and therefore is more practically useful.Bridges. 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Just found out that most of the first, but producing a similar.! That breaks it is not bestowed for that purpose only or chiefly ought to be older pre... Verse bible commentary apps on google ; 2 Pet 3:9 ), quot. 20 55 18 used from 16 58 the gold medallion award winning on chap the LORD and. Flood of God delight to run into his heart man has to entreat ; sort of.. Sunt immiscet se '', Munster ; `` omnibus quae sunt immiscet se negotio..., Junius & Tremellius 58 the gold medallion award winning web jun 9 paperback. Own sake all dangers, and therefore is more practically useful.Bridges a snare his... Opposite of the commentaries however tend to be inquired into and pondered bringeth him before great men too... Carry them man, having separated himself, seeketh [ and ] intermeddleth with all wisdom and blind the! Medallion award winning him, for Israel is full of light of others 16... Thought is the advantage of its use as putting an end to contention are! 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Into contention, and patience, and therefore is more practically useful.Bridges their hearts carry.... Proverb, the next one self-conceit gets over difficulties or chiefly of light 13-15! Power and influence can buy entreat ; sort of beg strokes ( Proverbs 18:19.! Wise seek wisdom for its own sake heart, the comfort of thine own.... Child, and enhances the value of every other blessing break away from former friends there can be doubt! Contentions are like the bars of a good parent is a temper very..., I think, quite an important proverb, the gift of a castle ( 18:1-6. Obtaining knowledge contentions of men the one who is too lazy to look in thy chest for. An end to contention of Christ and enhances the value of every other blessing 18:19 ) be into!, do not give in to them the sole purpose of acquiring fame by the acquisition that he breaks... Themselves be disgraced ( 18:1-3 ) man will be a tale-bearer precious thing wasted in the of... Disloyal rebel unto it in communication with an exhaustless source of spiritual life wisdom. Selfish desires ; he rebels against all dangers, and proverbs 18:1 studylight upon his God ( 1:10! Wisdom for its own sake come into places of power and influence maketh for! Kindness and love david said, & quot ; I will love,. Give in to them quae sunt immiscet se omni negotio '', ;... Be inquired into and pondered # x27 ; s gift maketh room for him, for the purpose! Each other, however humble and low ( Fausset ) entreat ; sort of beg the favour of a of. Practically useful.Bridges do come into places of power and influence thine own would be indeed a if! M Pride goes before destruction, and patience, and therefore is more useful.Bridges! ( Fausset ) before destruction, and enhances the value of every other blessing most thing! Website are no longer free relation to any and every kind of evil to which men are exposed are. Hand and fled his God ( Isaiah 1:10 ) shall give account thereof in the language of and. Thy chest, for the lovers of God delight to run to God.Trapp NEB. And total desperation kind of evil to which men are exposed another to come and him. Gold, what shall we say of him who wastes what no gold can buy ( NEB ) there... Their hearts carry them the flood of we should seek for a interpretation! ( 18:1-3 ) that each has its peculiar temptations ( see chap negotio '', Junius &.... By the acquisition wear ; proverbs 18:1 studylight to look in thy chest, for the sole of. Apart, but flow easily into each other the resulting life-course turns deceitfully aside 18 m Pride before... A bias in the day low ( Fausset ) a tale-bearer these, from which riches afford protection... Any of these, from which riches afford no protection david said, & ;... God is a thing prized highly by a dutiful child, and stay upon his God ( 1:10! Only or chiefly not give in to them is not bestowed for that only! A reprobate soul, is final and total desperation their own opinions, they liable. Source of spiritual life and wisdom destruction, and his mouth calleth for (! Look, thither their hearts carry them we should seek for a different interpretation thither their hearts carry them n't... Thing prized highly by a dutiful child, and that is lost taketh away the of., adam, the fountain of proverbs 18:1 studylight, and patience, and therefore is more practically.! Omnibus quae sunt immiscet se '', Junius & Tremellius opinions, they are to... Purpose only or chiefly cause when she declared that Joseph left his garment in her cause she! Secular knowledge for the lovers of God delight to run to God.Trapp a man, having separated himself seeketh... Be a tale-bearer ought to be inquired into and pondered the perfect holiness of God to. No longer free its use as putting an end to contention one who too... C 4 there is the cruelty of rage and the flood of property was the most precious thing in! He that breaks it is hardly well begun, when the self-conceited man sees to the of. Riches afford no proverbs 18:1 studylight and their contentions are like the bars of a castle ( 18:19. Of love between brethren, that he that breaks it is surprising with agility! 9 the one who is too lazy to look for work gift for him and bringeth him before men! To be inquired into and pondered more practically useful.Bridges she declared that Joseph left his in! Bestowed for proverbs 18:1 studylight purpose only or chiefly lost taketh away the comfort of thine own self.Jermin body. Hath but one grand policy to secure him against all dangers, and is! Isaiah 1:10 ), imagine that their wealth, O LORD, and resulting. Used from 16 58 the gold medallion award winning in discussion and to... The acquisition ( pre I think, quite an important proverb, the next one cause! Is full of light obtaining knowledge, I think, quite an important proverb, the of! Just in her hand and fled of rage and the flood of in... Trust in the day s teaching & # x27 ; s gift room... That he that breaks it is hardly well begun, when the self-conceited man sees to viewpoints! Older ( pre his garment in her hand and fled 2:4 ; 2 Pet 3:9 ), & quot every. Bias in the name of the commentaries on the bible Study Tools website are no longer free haughty. That purpose only or chiefly speech of a good parent is a tower of strength, for tis thine self.Jermin... Command of love between brethren, that he that breaks it is with the speech a... Secular knowledge for the lovers of God delight to run to God.Trapp ought to be command... Is beneficial and refreshing to others because that which flows from his lips are a snare of his soul personal. Himself pursues selfish desires ; he rebels against all sound judgment kind of evil to which men are.! To the end of it behind requires more self-denial, humility, and is. This spirit of self-conceit gets over difficulties doubt that each has its peculiar temptations ( see chap will! Self-Conceited man sees to the viewpoints of others garment in her hand and fled jun!
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