Posted by Jeff Short on October 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
– Proverbs 17:27
The word for
spareth means restrain, as you would expect. The proverb commends careful speech. The sparing of words is not an effort to appear to have knowledge, or to acquire it. The word for
knowledge means discernment and skill. Knowledge controls the tongue, rather than spewing out what comes to mind (Proverbs 15:28). The person without control of the tongue invites destruction (Proverbs 13:3). Control of the tongue can keep us from damaging relationships and even sin (Proverbs 11:12-13; 10:19). The second phrase expands the control to the temper (Proverbs 16:32). Wisdom is seen in appeasing and dampening strife, but folly excites it, and often through the tongue (Proverbs 14:29; 15:18; 19:11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on July 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
– Proverbs 15:14
The word for
seeketh means to search out and indicates a deliberate search. The word for
knowledge means cunning, perception, and discernment. Proverbs presents wisdom as accessible to all (Proverbs 8:1-11; 9:1-6), but acquired only by those who seek for it (Proverbs 2:1-6). One of the marks of wisdom is to continue to seek for wisdom (Proverbs 1:5; 9:9). The contrast speaks of feeding on
foolishness rather than seeking wisdom. The word for
feedeth means to pasture, or graze. The word for
fools is the most common word in Proverbs for fools. The word means stupid and obstinate. The usage in Proverbs shows the word describes one who chooses the way of folly and not one who is mentally impaired. The fool gobbles up foolishness and spews it out freely (Proverbs 15:2). The fool has no heart or patience for acquiring wisdom (Proverbs 17:6, 24). He prefers his easy foolishness so much he returns to it like a dog to its own vomit (Proverbs 26:11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
– Proverbs 15:2
The
tongue and
mouth here are figures for speech, spoken words. The word for
useth … aright means skillfully, or to do well. The words a
wise man uses are thoughtful and deliberately chosen (Proverbs 15:28; 16:23). He has control over his tongue, which means his words will also be fewer (Proverbs 17:28). The contrast is with
fools who
poureth out, or gush forth,
foolishness. Fools are quick to speak, which means their words are thoughtless (Proverbs 29:20). Fools also pour out a great quantity of words without restraint (Proverbs 10:19; 15:28; 29:11; Ecclesiastes 10:14).
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Posted by Jeff Short on June 4, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
– Proverbs 14:18
The word for
inherit means to acquire and it speaks of the reward to the
simple. The simple man is easily led astray. If not corrected, he progresses in his simplicity until he fully possesses folly (Proverbs 19:25; 1:32). On the other hand, the
prudent grow in wisdom until they are compassed with
knowledge (Proverbs 3:35; 4:7-9). The word for
crowned means to encircle round. It’s uncertain if the meaning is an ornament, but it definitely speaks to the reward of wisdom. The good news is the
simple are called upon to come to wisdom (Proverbs 9:4-6). Those who do are
prudent and gain the reward of wisdom (Proverbs 9:9-11).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.
– Proverbs 14:7
Proverbs are designed to teach us wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-7). Discernment, which is being able to distinguish and analyze properly, is part of wisdom. We need to discern people, to see their character underneath the surface. Solomon does not teach us to make rash judgments, but rather to consider, be thoughtful, and deliberate as we proceed (Proverbs 14:8, 15). This proverb warns us about who we allow to speak into our life and affect us. Once we discern a lack of wisdom in one, we must not allow them to teach us (Proverbs 9:6; 13:20; 19:27).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
– Proverbs 14:6
The
scorner is a special type of fool in Proverbs. The word means to mock and includes the idea of arrogance. His disdain of correction is a chief obstacle in finding wisdom (Proverbs 9:7-8), and it is why he will not go to the wise (Proverbs 15:12). He fails to find wisdom, not because it cannot be found, but rather because he despises instruction and does not fear the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). Ultimately, the scorner comes to judgment (Proverbs 3:34; 19:29). The word for
easy in the contrasting phrase means lightness and trifling. To have understanding is to have discernment. Here it is to find, or acquire,
knowledge (Proverbs 8:9; 17:24).
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Posted by Jeff Short on May 7, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
– Proverbs 13:16
The
prudent man looks well to his way and discerns dangers and pitfalls (Proverbs 22:3). Thus he can be said to deal, or make his way, with
knowledge, or discernment. This proverb reveals a wise discernment of character. The prudent will be known by their doings, as will the fool. The
fool layeth open, or displays his
folly. The imagery presented is of a peddler spreading out his merchandise for full view to passersby. A fool’s actions will show him to be a fool, just as the wise are known the same way (Proverbs 12:23; 15:2).
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 24, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Chapter 12 continues the major section of the Proverbs, “The proverbs of Solomon,” which starts with chapter 10 and goes through chapter 22. There is no obvious topical arrangement of the proverbs, but several subjects have been addressed more than once to this point. Chapter 12 will add some proverbs to these subjects and cover a few more.
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.
– Proverbs 12:1
The contrast in this proverb is between love and hate. Instruction and reproof parallel, with the first meaning discipline or training and the second meaning correction, even chastisement. To acquire and grow in wisdom, we must receive correction (Proverbs 9:7-8; 13:18). Hating instruction and correction will be the last lament of the fool as he is finally brought to shame and ruin (Proverbs 5:11-13). The word for brutish means an animal like a cow. When it is used of people, it means stupidity of the highest order (Psalm 32:9; 92:6). An animal has no reasoning capacity and doesn’t know what is best for it. A person who despises the correction of wisdom is just like a brute beast.
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
– Proverbs 11:9
The word for
hypocrite means to be soiled or defiled. It is a word for a godless person we might describe as a reprobate, blasphemer, etc. To destroy means to decay and to corrupt, or bring to ruin. The proverb describes those who use their speech to subvert others, like the heretics Paul warned about (Romans 16:17-18). The
just will be
delivered from such deception through
knowledge, or discernment. Such knowledge equips us to sort the things we hear and to tell whether they are truth and wisdom or not (Colossians 2:8).
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Proverbs 17:27
Posted by Jeff Short on October 1, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
The word for spareth means restrain, as you would expect. The proverb commends careful speech. The sparing of words is not an effort to appear to have knowledge, or to acquire it. The word for knowledge means discernment and skill. Knowledge controls the tongue, rather than spewing out what comes to mind (Proverbs 15:28). The person without control of the tongue invites destruction (Proverbs 13:3). Control of the tongue can keep us from damaging relationships and even sin (Proverbs 11:12-13; 10:19). The second phrase expands the control to the temper (Proverbs 16:32). Wisdom is seen in appeasing and dampening strife, but folly excites it, and often through the tongue (Proverbs 14:29; 15:18; 19:11).– Proverbs 17:27
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