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