United Commentaries

Pr.11.1

Here, honest practices are applied to the business world (see also 16:11; 20:10, 23; Lev 19:35-37; Deut 25:13-15; Ezek 45:10; Hos 12:7-8; Mic 6:11).

Scales were often made of two metal bowls suspended from a crossbar. The unit of currency, the shekel, comes from the verb meaning “to weigh” (see Amos 8:5-6).

Pr.11.2

Pride is dishonest self-promotion, whereas humility is an honest assessment of one’s strengths and weaknesses.

Pr.11.4

Right living, which flows from wisdom, is more important than riches. Nothing is wrong with riches (10:15, 22; 14:24) that are gained properly (cp. 13:11; 21:6; 22:16).

Pr.11.10

Our actions, whether godly or wicked, affect the whole city (cp. Eccl 8:9-13).

Pr.11.13

This perspective on a gossip is repeated in 20:19.

Pr.11.14

The future of an entire nation depends on wisdom.

Pr.11.15

This message is repeated in 6:1-5; 17:18; 20:16; 22:26; 27:13.

Pr.11.16

Respect is the great and lasting reward of being gracious, while wealth is the lesser and temporary prize of being ruthless (see also 10:2; 11:18).

Pr.11.21

Godly behavior has positive consequences for the next generation.

Pr.11.22

Discretion is the ability to tell right from wrong, the beautiful from the ugly, and good taste from bad taste.

Pr.11.23

The wicked might prosper and the godly might suffer in the short term, but the future will right this imbalance.

Pr.11.24-26

Generous people who give freely to others will prosper, but those who hoard their money will lose it (see 28:27; 2 Cor 9:6-9).

Pr.11.28

Money can be a blessing from God, but it is uncertain. The godly trust in God and flourish (see Ps 1).

Pr.11.31

The implied answer is that wicked sinners will be punished on earth.