If we keep God’s Word, God’s Word will keep us from all things that are really hurtful. Those who despise the ways of His Word are on the right road to ruin. What is given to the poor out of love for Christ, God places to our account as lent to Him. Jesus said “Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto me.” The worth of a poor upright man. Riches preserve friends. False witnesses. False friends. A king’s wrath. The foolish son. The prudent wife. Slothfulness. Pity for the poor. The fear of the Lord. The spendthrift son. Obedience to parents. 19:1 Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Vs. 1: A poor man who fears God, is more honorable and happy, than a man without wisdom and grace, however rich or advanced in rank. Verse 1. Better is the poor— The upright poor man is always to be preferred to the rich or self-sufficient fool. 19:2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hastes with his feet sins. vs. 2: What good can the soul do, if without knowledge? And he sins who will not take time to ponder the path of his feet. Verse 2. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good — Would it not be plainer, as it is more literal, to say, “Also, to be without knowledge, is not good for the soul?” The soul was made for God; and to be without his knowledge, to be unacquainted with him, is not only not good, but the greatest evil the soul can suffer, for it involves all other evils. The Chaldee and Syriac have: “He who knows not his own soul, it is not good to him.” “Where no discretion is, there the soul is not well.”— Coverdale. And he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. — And this will be the case with him who is not Divinely instructed. A child does nothing cautiously, because it is uninstructed; a savage is also rash and precipitate, till experience instructs him. A man who has not the knowledge of God is incautious, rash, headstrong, and precipitate: and hence he sinneth-he is continually missing the mark, and wounding his own soul. 19:2 I have heard many saying, “The threats of a king are like the wrath of a lion;” being full of dejection and lamentation. What then should we say to such? That He who said, “The wolves and the lambs shall feed together; and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and tile lion shall eat straw like the ox,” will be able to convert the lion into a mild lamb. St. John Chrysostom: Concerning the Statues, 3:5. 19:3 The foolishness of man pervertes his way: and his heart frettes against the LORD. vs. 3: Men run into troubles by their own folly, and then fret at the appointments of God. Verse 3. The foolishness of man — Most men complain of cross providences, because they get into straits and difficulties through the perverseness of their ways; and thus they fret against God; whereas, in every instance, they are the causes of their own calamities. O how inconsistent is man! 19:3 LXX But when in this way we have made the Lord’s yoke heavy and hard to us, we at once complain in a blasphemous spirit of the hardness and roughness of the yoke itself or of Christ who lays it upon us, in accordance with this passage: “The folly of man corrupteth his ways, but he blames God in his heart;” (Prov. 19:3 LXX) and as Haggai the prophet says, when we say that “the way of the Lord is not right” the reply is aptly made to us by the Lord: “Is not My way right? Are not your ways rather crooked?” (Ezek. 18:25 LXX) St. John Cassian: Conference 24:25. 19:4 Wealth makes many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbor. vs. 4: Here we may see how strong is men’s love of money. Verse 4. The poor is separated from his neighbor. — Because he has the “disease of all-shunned poverty.” 1778 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall not escape. vs. 5: Those that tell lies in discourse, are in a fair way to be guilty of bearing false-witness. 19:6 Many will intreat the favor of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that gives gifts. vs. 6: We are without excuse if we do not love God with all our hearts. His gifts to us are past number, and all the gifts of men to us are fruits of his bounty. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 19 2 19:7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursues them with words, yet they are wanting to him. vs. 7: Christ was left by all his disciples; but the Father was with him. It encourages our faith that he had so large an experience of the sorrows of poverty. Verse 7. Do hate him — They shun him as they do the person they hate. They neither hate him positively, nor love him: they disregard him; they will have nothing to do with him. an چ sana signifies not only to hate, but to show a less degree of love to one than another. So Jacob loved Rachel, but hated Leah-showed her less affection than he did to Rachel. 19:7 LXX We ought not then to ascribe this wandering inclination of our heart either to human nature or to God its Creator. For it is a true statement of Scripture, that “God made man upright; but they themselves found out many thoughts” (Eccl. 7:29 LXX). The character of these then depends on us ourselves, for it says “a good thought comes near to those that know it, but a prudent man will find it.” For where anything is subject to our prudence and industry so that it can be found out, there if it is not found out, we ought certainly to set it down to our own laziness or carelessness and not to the fault of our nature. St. John Cassian: Conference 7:4.. 19:7 For even as God does not need our possessions, so do we need to offer something to God; as Solomon says: “He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord.” For God, who stands in need of nothing, takes our good works to Himself for this purpose, that He may grant us a recompense of His own good things, as our Lord says: “Come, ye blessed of My Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you. For I was an hungered, and ye gave Me to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye clothed Me; sick, and ye visited Me; in prison, and ye came to Me.” (Matt. 25:34) St. Irenaeus: Adv. Haer., 4:18:6. 19:8 He that getts wisdom loves his own soul: he that keeps understanding shall find good. vs. 8: Those only love their souls aright that get true wisdom. 19:9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall perish. vs. 9: Lying is a damning, destroying sin. 19:10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. vs. 10: A man that has not wisdom and grace, has no right or title to true joy. It is very unseemly for one who is a servant to sin, to oppress God’s free-men. Verse 10. Delight is not seemly for a fool —gwn[t taanug, splendid or luxurious living, rank, equipage, etc. These sit ill on a fool, though he be by birth a lord. For a servant to have rule over princes. — I pity the king who delivers himself into the hands of his own ministers. Such a one loses his character, and cannnot be respected by his subjects, or rather their subjects. But it is still worse when a person of mean extraction is raised to the throne, or to any place of power; he is generally cruel and tyrannical. Verse 11. It is his glory to pass over a transgression. — “No,” says what is termed a man of honor; “he must meet me as a gentleman; I must have his blood, let God say what he will.” O poor, dastardly coward! thou canst not bear the reproach of poor, flimsy, paltry fellows who ridicule thee, because thou hast refused to commit murder. Such laws should be put down by law; and the man that gives a challenge should be hanged, because he intends to commit murder. 19:11 The discretion of a man deferrs his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. vs. 11: He attains the most true glory who endeavors most steadily to overcome evil with good. 19:12 The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favor is as dew upon the grass. vs. 12: Christ is a King, whose wrath against his enemies will be as the roaring of a lion, and his favor to his people as the refreshing dew. Verse 12. The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion — There is nothing more dreadful than the roaring of this tyrant of the forest. At the sound of it all other animals tremble, flee away, and hide themselves. The king who is above law, and rules without law, and whose will is his own law, is like the lion. This is strongly descriptive of the character of Asiatic sovereigns. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 19 3 19:13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. 1393 vs. 13: It shows the vanity of the world, that we are liable to the greatest griefs where we promise ourselves the greatest comfort. Verse 13. The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. — The man who has got such a wife is like a tenant who has got a cottage with a bad roof through every part of which the rain either drops or pours. He can neither sit, stand work, nor sleep, without being exposed to these droppings. God help the man who is in such a case, with house or wife! 19:14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. vs. 14: A discreet and virtuous wife is more valuable than house and riches. Verse 14. A prudent wife is from the Lord. — One who has a good understanding, ishshah mascaleth; who avoids complaining, though she may often have cause for it. Thus when a certain wise man saith, “It is by the Lord that a man is matched with a woman” (Proverbs 19:14, LXX.), he means this, God made marriage, and not that it is He that joineth together every man that cometh to be with a woman. For we see many that come to be with one another for evil, even by the law of marriage, and this we should not ascribe to God. But as He said Himself, “He which made them at the beginning, made them male and female, and said, For this cause shah a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they twain shall be one flesh.” (Matthew 19:4, 5; Genesis 2:24.) And this is what that wise man meant to explain. St. John Chrysostom: Homilies on Romans, 23. 19:15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. vs. 15: A sluggish, slothful disposition makes men poor; it brings them to want. And this applies both to the present life and that which is to come. Into a deep sleep, the same into which Adam was thrown, before Eve was taken from his side. Sloth renders a man utterly unconscious of all his interests. Though he has frequently felt hunger, yet he is regardless that his continual slothfulness must necessarily plunge him into more sufferings. 19:15 Whence it is plainly said through Solomon, Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep (Proverbs 19:15). For the slothful one is as it were awake in that he feels aright, though he grows torpid by doing nothing: but slothfulness is said to cast into a deep sleep, because by degrees even the wakefulness of right feeling is lost, when zeal for well-doing is discontinued. And in the same place it is rightly added, And a dissolute soul shall suffer hunger (Ibid.) For, because it braces not itself towards higher things, it lets itself run loose uncared for in lower desires; and, while not braced with the vigor of lofty aims, suffers the pangs of the hunger of low concupiscence, and, in that it neglects to bind itself up by discipline, it scatters itself the more abroad hungry in its craving after pleasures. Hence it is written again by the same Solomon, The idle man is wholly in desires (Proverbs 21:26). Hence in the preaching of the Truth Himself (Matthew 12:44, 45) the house is said indeed to be clean when one spirit has gone out; but, when empty, it is taken possession of by his returning with many more. For the most part the slothful, while he neglects to do things that are necessary, sets heron him some that are difficult, but is inconsiderately afraid of others; and so, as though finding something that he may reasonably fear, he satisfies himself that he has good reason for remaining torpid. To him it is rightly said through Solomon, The sluggard would not plough by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in summer, and it shall not be given unto him (Proverbs 20:4). For indeed the sluggard ploughs not by reason of the cold, when he finds an excuse for not doing the good things which he ought to do. Fr. Gregory (the Great), Pastoral Rule, 15. 19:16 He that keeps the commandment keeps his own soul; but he that despises his ways shall die. 16: If we keep God’s word, God’s word will keep us from every thing really hurtful. We abuse the doctrine of free grace, if we think that it does away the necessity and advantage of obedience. Those that live at random must die. This truth is clearly taught in words enough to alarm the stoutest sinner. 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lends unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. God has chosen the poor of this world, to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 19 4 Verse 17. Lendeth unto the Lord — O what a word is this! God makes himself debtor for every thing that is given to the poor! Who would not advance much upon such credit? God will pay it again. And in no case has he ever forfeited his word. LENDING TO THE LORD have you ever struggled with yourself over whether you should give spare change to a homeless person? On the one hand, you don’t want to encourage what may be irresponsible behavior, or feed someone’s possible addiction to drugs or alcohol. What should you do? Scripture does not make the decision for us, but it does throw a shaft of light on the problem. In some unspecified way, whatever charity we show to the poor will be repaid, not necessarily by the poor, but by the Lord (Prov. 19:17; compare Matt. 10:40-42). Somehow the Lord assumes the debt. God is aware of what we do, and because of that we never really “waste” our charity, even if the person who receives it turns out to be deceptive. Somehow God makes it right. The poor person will have to answer for how he uses the resources God brings his way. Likewise, we must answer for how we have used the resources God has brought our way. God wants us to use at least part of those resources to assist the poor (see “From Deadbeat to Donor” at Eph. 4:28). 19:17 But these, on the other hand, prefer ignorance to wisdom, turning their wealth into stone, that is, into pearls and Indian emeralds. St. Clement of Alexandria: Instructor 3:4. But to the more imperfect, this is what we may say, Give of what you have unto the needy. Increase your substance. For, saith He, (Proverbs 19:17.) “He that giveth unto the poor, lendeth unto God.” But if you are in a hurry and wait not for the time of recompense, think of those who lend money to men: for not even these desire to get their interest immediately; but they are anxious that the principal should remain a good long while in the hands of the borrower, provided only the repayment be secure and they have no mistrust of the borrower. Let this be done then in the present case also. St. John Chrysostom: Commentary on 1 Corinthians 5:11. DISCIPLINE “Chasten your son while there is hope, and do not set your heart on his destruction” [18]. When parents keep under foolish tenderness, they do their best to render children a comfort to them, and happy in themselves. Although Children are seen as a blessing, they tend toward evil if they are left to their own nature (Prov. 22:15). Therefore, parents are urged to disciple them, so that the children will not be condemned to death. The Proverbs gives special account for the discipline of the children: The purpose of discipline must be very clear, that they must grow in wisdom (Prov. 29:15), and attain strong character. That parents never be despair of their correction, but have hope in them [18]. Rearing them with the rod, so that they might not loose their salvation (Prov. 23:14). Discipline is only one part of a much broader home environment required to set a child on the path toward wisdom, understanding, and humility (2:1-22; 4:3-9; 15:31-33). Correction demonstrates love, whereas lack of it is a form of a form of hate (13:24). Discipline is intended to purge children to the inherent “foolishness” that the Bible says they have (22:15). 19:18 Chasten your son while there is hope, and let not your soul spare for his crying. Verse 18. Let not thy soul spare for his crying. — This is a hard precept for a parent. Nothing affects the heart of a parent so much as a child’s cries and tears. But it is better that the child may be caused to cry, when the correction may be healthful to his soul, than that the parent should cry afterwards, when the child is grown to man’s estate, and his evil habits are sealed for life. READING CHILDREN WITH THE ROD https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 19 5 A popular belief today is that people are basically good. An extension of this belief is that children come into the world as morally pure and pristine creatures who are then “socialized” into harmful, hurtful patterns by parents and society. The book of Proverbs, along with the rest of the Bible, presents a very different picture of children and childrearing. Although children are seen as a blessing, they tend toward evil if left to their own nature (Prov. 22:15). For that reason, parents are urged to discipline their youngsters. Neglecting to do so amount to condemning a child to death (19:18). Opinions vary as to the best way to discipline children. But disagreement about means must never lose sight of what Proverbs says are the ends involved-to bring a child into adulthood with strong character and the ability to make wise choices (29:15). Whatever the term “rod” means to as a parent, Proverbs encourages you to use discipline in raising your children (23:13). Several principles of discipline are found in Proverbs: . A child needs far more than discipline. In fact, discipline is only one part of a much broader home environment required to set a child on the path toward wisdom, self-appreciation, understanding, and humility (2:1- 22; 4:3-9; 15:31-33). . Punishment for wrongdoing is not only corrective but preventive in that it can steer a young person away from more powerful forms of evil and ultimate destruction (5:12-14; 23:14). . Correction demonstrates love, whereas lack of it is a form of hate (13;24). . Discipline is intended to purge children of the inherent “foolishness” that the Bible says they have (22:15). Discipline is indispensable to healthy childrearing. But Proverbs also observes that there is no guarantee as to how a child will turn out. Many people see a promise in the Proverb, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). But like much of the rest of Proverbs, this is not a promise so much as an observation about childrearing. Children may receive excellent discipline, yet still refuse the path shown them by their parents: . A child may grow up to be lazy, abusive, or immoral, and thus a cause of shame to his parents (10:5; 19:26; 29:3). . A child may turn out to be a scoffer who rejects instructions and rebuke, no matter how well intended or administered (13:1). . A child may grow up to despise his parents (15:20). . A child might rob his parents and not even see it as wrong (28:24). . A child may grow up to curse, mock, and scorn his parents (30:11, 17). Giving this sobering reality. God calls us as parents to demonstrate lives of wisdom, truth, and service to our children, knowing that they may or may not choose to follow in that path. Ultimately, parent cannot force a child to honor either them or God; that is a choice that each of us makes. We as parents are simply called to do our best and leave the results to God. 19:19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if you deliver him, yet you must do it again. The spared and spoiled child is likely to become a man of great wrath. Verse 19. A man of great wrath — He who is of an irritable, fiery disposition, will necessarily get himself into many broils; and he that is surety for him once is likely to be called on again and again for the same friendly office. 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that you mayest be wise in your latter end. Those that would be wise in their latter end, must be taught and ruled when young. A SPIRITUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT One of the most well known investments today is the individual retirement account (IRA). By investing taxfree money over several decades, one can amass a tidy some by the time of retirement. One of the keys to this strategy is the principle of compounding: profits from the investment are reinvested so that what starts as a small balance grows at a steadily increasing rate. Proverbs says that a spiritual IRA is available to us-the advice of wise counselors. By heading their suggestions, we can arrive at our “latter days” with a wealth of wisdom (Prov. 19:20). For more of the value of seeking good advice, see “The wisdom of taking counsel” at Prov. 24:6. 19:21 There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. What should we desire, but that all our purposes may agree with God’s holy will? Verse 21. There are many devices, etc. — The same sentiment as in chap. 16:1, where see the note. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 19 6 19:22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. It is far better to have a heart to do good, and want ability for it, than to have ability for it, and want a heart to it. 19:23 The fear of the LORD tends to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. Those that live in the fear of God, shall get safety, satisfaction, and true and complete happiness. 19:23 Those, then, who suppose the law to be productive of agitating fear, are neither good at understanding the law, nor have they in reality comprehended it; for “the fear of the LORD causes life, but he who errs shall be afflicted with pangs which knowledge views not.” Accordingly, Barnabas says mystically, “May God who rules the universe vouchsafe also to you wisdom, and understanding, and science, and knowledge of His statutes, and patience. Be therefore God-taught, seeking what the Lord seeks from you, that He may find you in the day of judgment lying in wait for these things.” “Children of love and peace,” he called them gnostically. St. Clement of Alexandria: Stromata 2:18. 19:24 A slothful man hides his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. vs. 24: Indolence, when indulged, so grows upon people, that they have no heart to do the most needful things for themselves. A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom — Is too lazy to feed himself, If he dip his hand once in the dish, he is too lazy to put it in a second time. It is a strange case that a man, through his excessive slothfulness, would rather starve than put himself to the trouble to eat. 19:25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. A gentle rebuke goes farthest with a man of understanding 19:26 He that wastes his father, and chases away his mother, is a son that causes shame, and brings reproach. The young man who wastes his father’s substance, or makes his aged mother destitute, is hateful, and will come to disgrace. Verse 26. He that wasteth his father — Destroys his substance by riotous or extravagant living, so as to embitter his latter end by poverty and affliction; and adds to this wickedness the expulsion of his aged widowed mother from the paternal house; is a son of shame-a most shameful man; and a son of reproach-one whose conduct cannot be sufficiently execrated. “Who tormentith the fader, and fleeth the modir, schenful schal ben, and unblisful”. — Old MS. Bible. The common reading of the Vulgate is, et fugat matrem, and expels his mother; but the Old Bible was taken from a copy that had fugit matrem, shuns his mother, flees away from her, leaves her to affliction and penury. It is prostitution of the term to call such, man. ARE YOU TREADING YOUR PARENTS WITH RESPECT? Think about your relationship with your parents. Have you ever tried to divide them or set one against the other? Scripture says that showing disrespect for our parents is a shameful thing (Prov. 19:26) and urges us to honor them instead (Ex. 20:12). The Book of Proverbs warns us several times against mistreating our parents: 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causes to err from the words of knowledge. It is the wisdom of young men to dread hearing such talk as puts loose and evil principles into the mind. 19:28 An ungodly witness scorns judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. Verse 27. Cease, my son — Hear nothing that would lead thee away from God and his truth. Those are the worst of sinners, who are glad of an opportunity to sin. 19:29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. Verse 29. Stripes for the back of fools. — Profane and wicked men expose themselves to the punishments denounced against such by just laws. Avoid, therefore, both their company and their end. The unbelief of man shall not make God’s threatenings of no effect. Christ himself, when bearing sins not his own, was not spared. Justice and judgment took hold of our blessed Surety; and will God spare obstinate sinners? 19 ‘The son that forsaketh the commandment of his father meditateth evil words .’ But such meditation, because it is evil, the Holy Spirit blames in these words, and reproves too in other terms, saying, ‘Your hands are https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 19 7 polluted with blood, your fingers with sins; your lips have spoken lawlessness, and your tongue imagineth iniquity: no man speaketh right things, nor is there true judgment .’ (Isa. 59:3,4). St. Athanasius of Alexandria: Paschal Letters, 7:5. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Proverbs 20 1 A certain one, at least, giving a model of a man has mentioned this, for “Man,” saith he, “is a great thing; and a merciful man is an honorable thing.” (Proverbs 20:6. LXX.) Greater is this gift than to raise the dead. For far greater is it to feed Christ when an hungered than to raise the dead by the name of Jesus: for in the former case You doest good to Christ, in the latter He to thee. And the reward surely comes by doing good, not by receiving good. For here indeed, in the case of miracles I mean, You art God’s debtor. in that of almsgiving, You have God for a debtor.
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