The Proverbs
Proverbs 22
Chapter XXII · Vol. II, pp. 1105–1106
1 A gooda name is rather to be chosen1 than great riches, and loving favour rather 2than silver and gold.
2 Theb rich and poor meet together;3 the LORD is the maker of them all.
3 They 'meet together,' it may be, not in companionship, but in interest; and are dependent for their individual happiness upon the discharge of their common duties. The Lord made them for one another, and woe to that party by whom his will is disregarded!—C.
b ch.29.13; 14.31. 1 Co.12.21, &c. Ja.2.1. Ps.49.2,7.
3 Ac prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: dbut the simple pass on, and are punished.
c ch.27.12; 18.10. Is.26.20,21.
d ch.7.22,23. Ju.xvi. 2 Sa.15.11, with 18.7.
5 Thornsg and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
g Job 18.8. Ro.3.16,17. ch.4.16; 15.9.
12 Theo eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge; and he overthroweth the words3 of the transgressor.
o Is.59.19-21. 2 Ch.16.9. Ac.12.22-24. Job 5.12,13. Is.44.25.
3 Or, the matters.
13 Thep slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.4
p ch.26.13; 15.19.
4 Vices are seldom separate—so the slothful man here demonstrates that he is excusing his sloth by falsehood. 'There is a lion without, he will be slain in the streets,' in the crowded thoroughfare, where the lion would not venture to come.—C.
14 Theq mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.
q ch.2.16,19; 5.3; 7.5-11; 23.27; 6.26-29. Ec.7.26.
15 Foolishnessr is bound in the heart of a child; but the srod of correction shall drive it far from him.
s ch.13.24; 19.18; 23.13; 29.15,17. He.12.9-11.
16 Het that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.
17 Bowu down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge:
u ch.1.8; 2.1-5,10; 3.1-4,17,18. Mat.11.15,28-30. Is.55.3. Ps.45.10; 90.12.
18 Forv it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee;5 they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.6
v ch.3.17. Ps.19.7-10; 119.11. Je.15.16. Ac.18.24,28.
5 Heb. in thy belly.
6 Or, 'For it shall be pleasant if thou keep them within thee (meditate upon them so as to reduce them in due time to practice); and if they shall be adapted to thy lips (so that thou mayest be able to instruct others, and to order thine own speech in accordance with them).' Acting thus, men enjoy peace of mind.—P.
21 That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?9
9 Or, to those that send thee, 1 Pe.3.15.
25 Lestd thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
d Ps.106.35. Ex.34.15,16. Jos.23.12,13. 1 Co.15.33. ch.13.20.
26 Bee not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
e ch.6.1; 11.15; 17.18; 20.16; 27.13.
Notes
Ver. 1. A good character, qualifying men to be useful for God in their generation, and the noted respect and friendship of those among whom we live, are more honourable and comfortable than all the riches of the world. 2. The rich by their wealth and the poor by their labour are mutual supports of each other, and ought to live together in harmony and kindness, as the same Lord made them both, and appointed them their respective conditions. 3. Prudent men foresee calamities or temptations when approaching, and use proper means for securing themselves; but foolish and inconsiderate persons go on securely in their sins and are ruined. 4. True humility and real godliness are the certain way to honour and happiness in this world and in that which is to come. 5. Wicked men meet with much trouble and danger in their sinful ways: but he that takes proper care of his soul shall be preserved therefrom, and enjoy manifold blessings. 6. Let children be carefully instructed in the truths and accustomed to the ways of God as early and earnestly as possible, and they will retain the impression, and practise the same, as long as they live. 7. Rich men domineer over the poor; and they who borrow are obliged to depend on the will and pleasure of the lender. 8. He whose common practice is to do mischief shall be paid in his own coin, with misery and trouble; and at length his power of wronging others shall be taken from him. 9. They who compassionately observe the wants of the poor, and cheerfully relieve them, shall be largely rewarded of God. 10. The removal of graceless persons, who scorn all good counsels, from a society, is an excellent mean to compose the contentions therein, and to prevent strifes and mutual reproaches for the future. 11. He that loves and practises sincerity and plain-heartedness, will recommend himself even to princes, by the piety, pleasantness, and candour of his discourse. 12. God, in his providence, carefully preserves his own oracles and ordinances among men, and provides for, preserves, and honours all who through faith are made wise unto salvation: but he overrules the counsels and designs of the wicked and perfidious. 13. Slothful persons imagine mighty hinderances in the way of their duty, where there are none, or at least very few. 14. Nothing is so dangerous, so eternally dangerous, as the ensnaring flatteries of whorish women, and the enslaving influence of fleshly lust. If a man be ensnared by them, nothing but infinite mercy and power can prevent his utter and everlasting destruction. And seldom are any, who have not provoked the Lord by former wickedness, permitted to fall into these snares, 15. False opinions and bad inclinations adhere so closely to the minds of children, that not only instructions and reproofs, but even seasonable and duly severe chastisements, must remove their obstinate folly. 16. He that by violence or fraud oppresses the poor to enrich himself, or gives to the rich what he took from the poor, or what he should give to relieve their wants, shall himself be reduced to want and beggary. 17. Attend diligently, and consider seriously, the counsels and precepts of wise men, and particularly those given in this book. 18. For it will afford thee great satisfaction heartily to embrace, thoroughly to digest, and faithfully to preserve them in thy mind: and by these means thou wilt be qualified to instruct others in them. 19. Men who are quick and dexterous, but prudent, in despatching whatever business is committed to them, are in a fair way to be preferred to some honourable employment in the service of their prince.
Ver. 7. The rich ruleth over the poor. This should not generate either tyranny in the one, or envy in the other. It is an arrangement of Providence for mutual good—the child that obeys is as much blessed as the parent that rules. And so, where rich and poor alike fear God, the poor is as happy as the rich. C.
Ver. 15. The rod of correction. Be it never forgotten by parents, that 'the rod' signifies not exclusively an instrument of punishment, but authority and power; and that 'correction' consequently is not confined to corporal punishment, but extended to every means by which the mind may be corrected by wise precept, godly example, or rational restraint. C.
Ver. 16. Giveth to the rich. Giveth bribes to the rich, as is common in eastern despotisms, to induce them to overlook and countenance his oppressions. The whole history of the pashalics of Western Asia is a striking commentary upon this important doctrine of sacred political economy. C.
Ver. 17. From ver. 17-21 there is either a preface to a new division of the book of Proverbs, or a conclusion from the foregoing instructions. The latter view seems most congenial to ver. 19, 20. C.
Ver. 27. This is a warning against dishonest suretiship, by them that have 'nothing to pay.' The deducible rule is the only one consistent with Christian integrity, viz. that no man should be surety for another beyond what he is able and, if need be, willing to pay for him. C.