Proverbs 25:11–25:28 The writer is making a comparison with the apples of
gold in a framework of silver (a beautiful work of
sculpture) to words of wisdom spoken at a proper
time (v. 11). The kindly rebuke of a wise man is of
greater value than costly presents (v. 12). In ancient
times, snow was stored up in ... Read more
Proverbs 25:1–25:10 About 250 years after Solomon wrote them,
Hezekiah’s men grouped many of these proverbs in
units of similar thoughts (v. 1). Man is constantly
forced to confess the limits of his understanding (vv.
2-3). God’s thoughts are far above our thoughts
(Rom. 11:33-34). God has not chosen to reveal ... Read more
Proverbs 24:23–24:34 The following topics are discussed in this section:
1. Partiality in judging (vv. 23-26) It is never good
to operate on preferences when making judgments of
people. To judge between persons based on
preference is to turn justice into ... Read more
Proverbs 24:11–24:22 People who are being taken to death and slaughter
probably are victims of unjust oppression rather than
guilty people being condemned (v. 11). Some people
may claim they are ignorant of others’ plights, but
God knows who is guilty of willful ignorance, and He
will judge it. We learn here about ... Read more
Proverbs 24:1–24:10 The glamour of the world often arouses envy in the
minds of young and old alike. A Christian should not
want what the world has to offer or even want to be
with worldly people (v. 1). The best thing the world
has to offer is only temporary no matter how
attractive it may seem. If we hang ... Read more
Proverbs 23:24–23:35 In Proverbs being wise in God’s view means being
godly or righteous (vv. 24-25). Wise, godly living, in
obedience to the parents’ discipline, not only benefits
the child; it also benefits the parents. Again, the son
was exhorted to follow his father’s teaching (vv. 26-
28). The words “give me your ... Read more
Proverbs 23:12–23:23 It is only when the heart is ready to receive
instruction, and the ear is ready to hear that a person
will grow in his spiritual life (v. 12). There is a big
differ¬ence between reading the Bible (or hearing it
explained) and meditating upon it. That is why so
many people never grow much in their Christian ... Read more
Proverbs 23:1–23:11 When invited to a banquet, hosted by someone who is
of a higher station in life, a person needs to exercise
self-restraint and remember where he is (vv. 1-3). A
ruler host may seem to be friendly and try to “butter
up” with a nice meal but, he may be planning to later
take advantage of his guest ... Read more
Proverbs 22:22–22:29 We find in these verses a strong warning against
taking advantage of the poor (vv. 22-23). The Lord is
on the side of the weak and helpless and will bring
judgment on those who take advantage of those who
are needy. Next, we have a warning against being a
friend or even associating with a ... Read more
Proverbs 22:12–22:21 To be wise is to be under God’s “seeing eyes” of
protection (v. 12). To be unwise and treacherous, even
in what one says, is to be on a path that will end in
frustration. The lazy person has all kinds of excuses
for not wanting to work (v. 13). When no dangers or
difficulties exist, he imagines them ... Read more
Proverbs 22:1–22:11 A good name is far more important in life than to
accumulate a lot of wealth (v. 1). A person may
acquire wealth (v. 2) but that does not separate him
from the poor, for both are creatures whose maker is
the Lord. God therefore is concerned about everyone,
regardless of their economic status ... Read more
Proverbs 21:22–21:31 It is not physical strength alone that gives us the
ability to break through seemingly impossible
positions. Wisdom gives strength and security (v. 22).
This lesson is very important for us to learn when we
are up against spiritual foes. Unwise words, however
true they may be, are often the cause ... Read more
Proverbs 21:11–21:21 When a person resists truth and is permitted to go
unrebuked it makes him look good in the eyes of the
ignorant. For this reason, we are told that the public
punishment of a scorner may cause the simple to
become wise (v. 11). The “Righteous One” refers to
God, not man, because only He fully ... Read more
Proverbs 21:1–21:10 There is no king or ruler so great that he can act in
independence of God. Whether he admits it or not God
is controlling him just as he controls the water in the
rivers (v. 1). A good example of this was Pharaoh. We
may think that nothing is wrong in the things we are
doing but the Lord knows ... Read more
Recent commentaries
Self Control is Important
Proverbs 25:11–25:28
The writer is making a comparison with the apples of gold in a framework of silver (a beautiful work of sculpture) to words of wisdom spoken at a proper time (v. 11). The kindly rebuke of a wise man is of greater value than costly presents (v. 12). In ancient times, snow was stored up in ... Read more
Tell a Person His Fault Alone
Proverbs 25:1–25:10
About 250 years after Solomon wrote them, Hezekiah’s men grouped many of these proverbs in units of similar thoughts (v. 1). Man is constantly forced to confess the limits of his understanding (vv. 2-3). God’s thoughts are far above our thoughts (Rom. 11:33-34). God has not chosen to reveal ... Read more
Priorities in Establishing a Home
Proverbs 24:23–24:34
The following topics are discussed in this section: 1. Partiality in judging (vv. 23-26) It is never good to operate on preferences when making judgments of people. To judge between persons based on preference is to turn justice into ... Read more
Rejoicing for The Wrong Reasons
Proverbs 24:11–24:22
People who are being taken to death and slaughter probably are victims of unjust oppression rather than guilty people being condemned (v. 11). Some people may claim they are ignorant of others’ plights, but God knows who is guilty of willful ignorance, and He will judge it. We learn here about ... Read more
What is in Your Heart Comes Out in Your Talk
Proverbs 24:1–24:10
The glamour of the world often arouses envy in the minds of young and old alike. A Christian should not want what the world has to offer or even want to be with worldly people (v. 1). The best thing the world has to offer is only temporary no matter how attractive it may seem. If we hang ... Read more
Drunkenness Leads to All Kinds of Problems
Proverbs 23:24–23:35
In Proverbs being wise in God’s view means being godly or righteous (vv. 24-25). Wise, godly living, in obedience to the parents’ discipline, not only benefits the child; it also benefits the parents. Again, the son was exhorted to follow his father’s teaching (vv. 26- 28). The words “give me your ... Read more
A Wise Child Will Hear His Parents Instruction
Proverbs 23:12–23:23
It is only when the heart is ready to receive instruction, and the ear is ready to hear that a person will grow in his spiritual life (v. 12). There is a big differ¬ence between reading the Bible (or hearing it explained) and meditating upon it. That is why so many people never grow much in their Christian ... Read more
Trying to Teach a Fool is Useless
Proverbs 23:1–23:11
When invited to a banquet, hosted by someone who is of a higher station in life, a person needs to exercise self-restraint and remember where he is (vv. 1-3). A ruler host may seem to be friendly and try to “butter up” with a nice meal but, he may be planning to later take advantage of his guest ... Read more
The Problem of Co-signing For Someone
Proverbs 22:22–22:29
We find in these verses a strong warning against taking advantage of the poor (vv. 22-23). The Lord is on the side of the weak and helpless and will bring judgment on those who take advantage of those who are needy. Next, we have a warning against being a friend or even associating with a ... Read more
Sayings of The Wise
Proverbs 22:12–22:21
To be wise is to be under God’s “seeing eyes” of protection (v. 12). To be unwise and treacherous, even in what one says, is to be on a path that will end in frustration. The lazy person has all kinds of excuses for not wanting to work (v. 13). When no dangers or difficulties exist, he imagines them ... Read more
Train a Child Right and He Will Not Depart From It
Proverbs 22:1–22:11
A good name is far more important in life than to accumulate a lot of wealth (v. 1). A person may acquire wealth (v. 2) but that does not separate him from the poor, for both are creatures whose maker is the Lord. God therefore is concerned about everyone, regardless of their economic status ... Read more
Wisdom Gives Strength And Security
Proverbs 21:22–21:31
It is not physical strength alone that gives us the ability to break through seemingly impossible positions. Wisdom gives strength and security (v. 22). This lesson is very important for us to learn when we are up against spiritual foes. Unwise words, however true they may be, are often the cause ... Read more
A Wise Person Stores Food Like an Ant
Proverbs 21:11–21:21
When a person resists truth and is permitted to go unrebuked it makes him look good in the eyes of the ignorant. For this reason, we are told that the public punishment of a scorner may cause the simple to become wise (v. 11). The “Righteous One” refers to God, not man, because only He fully ... Read more
A Contentious Wife Makes Life Miserable
Proverbs 21:1–21:10
There is no king or ruler so great that he can act in independence of God. Whether he admits it or not God is controlling him just as he controls the water in the rivers (v. 1). A good example of this was Pharaoh. We may think that nothing is wrong in the things we are doing but the Lord knows ... Read more