Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 18
Verses 1-24
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).
Verses 2
2. that his heart … itself—that is, takes pleasure in revealing his folly (Pr 12:23; 15:2).
Verses 3
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.
Verses 4
4. Wise speech is like an exhaustless stream of benefit.
Verses 5
5. accept the person—(Compare Ps 82:2). "It is not good" is to be supplied before "to overthrow."
Verses 6
6, 7. The quarrelsome bring trouble on themselves. Their rash language ensnares them (Pr 6:2).
Verses 7-8
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; Ps 22:14).
Verses 9
9. One by failing to get, the other by wasting wealth, grows poor.
waster—literally, "master of washing," a prodigal.
Verses 10
10. name of the Lord—manifested perfections (Ps 8:1; 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, &c., on which men rely.
is safe—literally, "set on high, out of danger" (Ps 18:2; 91:4).
Verses 11
11. contrasts with Pr 18:10 (compare Pr 10:15). Such is a vain trust (compare Ps 73:6).
Verses 12
12. (Compare Pr 15:33; 16:18).
Verses 13
13. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Pr 26:12).
Verses 14
14. infirmity—bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God.
Verses 15
15. (Compare Pr 1:5, 15, 31).
Verses 16
16. (Compare Pr 17:8, 23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied.
Verses 17
17. One-sided statements are not reliable.
searcheth—thoroughly (Pr 17:9, 19).
Verses 18
18. The lot—whose disposal is of God (Pr 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes.
Verses 19
19. No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them.
Verses 20
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).
Verses 21
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).
Verses 22
22. The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Pr 19:14 imply (compare Pr 31:10).
Verses 23
23. the rich … roughly—He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong.
Verses 24
24. A man … friendly—better, "A man … (is) to, or, may triumph (Ps 108:9), or, shout for joy (Ps 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.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871). Public domain.