Posted by Jeff Short on December 14, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
– Proverbs 27:6
Verse 6 continues from verse 5.
Faithful wounds are the result of
open rebuke, mentioned previously. The word for
faithful means to build up or support and can express the nurturing relationship of parents to children. It may wound, or inflict some pain, but is ultimately out of love and for good. The word for deceitful means abundant and describes the profuse
kisses of an enemy. The thought of deceit is present and contrasts with
faithful. We infer from the saying that faithful wounds from a friend will be few because they are out of love and meant for good, while the enemies flatteries will be poured out. Wisdom warns to beware of flattery and weigh words carefully (Proverbs 2:16; 6:24; 7:5, 21; 10:18; 20:19; 26:23-26, 28; 29:5).
Posted by Jeff Short on November 28, 2018 · Leave a Comment
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
– Proverbs 26:25
This verse continues from the previous, so it is the hating man who
speaketh fair. He uses gracious speech to mask what is within. In this case,
seven abominations are concealed within. This could be a reference to the seven abominations of Proverbs 6:16-19, but more likely speaks of completion in the sense his heart is thoroughly abominable. Wisdom teaches to discern character and not judge merely by outward appearance, and warns against believing the fair sounding words.
Posted by Jeff Short on November 27, 2018 · Leave a Comment
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
– Proverbs 26:24
Hatred is often the mark of an enemy. At least, it refers to one with ill intentions, or malicious designs. The word for
dissembleth means to recognize. The English word means a false appearance. The malicious man disguises his evil intentions with the words of his mouth (Proverbs 12:5, 17, 20).
Posted by Jeff Short on May 25, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
– Proverbs 14:8
Wisdom is to
understand, which means to separate mentally. The
prudent shows wisdom in examining his
way. He considers well and chooses carefully his way (Proverbs 2:9; 14:15). The word for
deceit means a fraud or treachery. This is the way of
fools (Proverbs 11:18). They search for short-cuts and back doors. They are quick to use deceit to gain their ends, so they go in a false way.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
– Proverbs 12:20
Wisdom here considers the results, or by-products, of intentions for others. The word for
imagine means to devise and
evil is calamity or all sorts of bad. The gain from devising evil is
deceit, or treachery. It refers to the state of mind of the one who devises evil. A
counsellor is an adviser. The word for
peace means well-being or general wholeness or welfare. So the
counsellor is promoting peace and speaking peace to others. They gain
joy, or happiness, as a result.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 10, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
– Proverbs 12:17
The word for
righteousness means justice and along with the term
false witness, this proverb has a legal connotation. Speaking truth reliably manifests or upholds justice (Proverbs 14:5, 25). So the thought here includes consistency or reliability in those who speak truth. A
false witness is more than one who lies. Their lies or deceit through omission perverts justice (Proverbs 19:28; 24:28).
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
– Proverbs 12:5
The principle in this proverbs was expressed by Jesus in terms of a tree bearing fruit only according to its type (Matthew 7:17-19). The word for
thoughts means plans or intentions. The intentions of the
righteous are the fruit they produce, which fruit is
right. The word for
counsels literally means steerage and indicates guidance or advice. These are the fruit produced by the
wicked and, therefore, they are
deceit, or treachery. Kidner observed that we ignore this proverb when we elect leaders based “on the strength of their promises rather than their principles.”
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Proverbs 27:6
Posted by Jeff Short on December 14, 2018 · Leave a Comment
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
– Proverbs 27:6
Verse 6 continues from verse 5. Faithful wounds are the result of open rebuke, mentioned previously. The word for faithful means to build up or support and can express the nurturing relationship of parents to children. It may wound, or inflict some pain, but is ultimately out of love and for good. The word for deceitful means abundant and describes the profuse kisses of an enemy. The thought of deceit is present and contrasts with faithful. We infer from the saying that faithful wounds from a friend will be few because they are out of love and meant for good, while the enemies flatteries will be poured out. Wisdom warns to beware of flattery and weigh words carefully (Proverbs 2:16; 6:24; 7:5, 21; 10:18; 20:19; 26:23-26, 28; 29:5).Share this:
Filed under 27, Proverbs, Short Comments · Tagged with Commentary, Deceit, Enemy, Friend, Proverbs, Speech