Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13:1

That son, who attentively regards his father’s instruction, and submits to his correction, as the word may be rendered, is wise, and shews true grace in his heart; but a former, a disobedient child, beareth not rebuke, cannot bear to be told of his faults, and refuses to amend them.

a Chap. xii. 14.

2. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.

Proverbs 13:2

A man shall eat good, or a good man shall eat of the fruit of his mouth, the blessing of his gracious discourse shall be repaid him: but the soul of transgressors shall eat violence; as he moved to others, it shall in just judgment be measured to him again.

b Chap. xii. 15.

3. He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 13:3

It is wise to think before we speak; a guard upon our tongue is the preservative, both from much sin and much forever: whilst lavish discourse brings destruction or conformation; those who are offended, sedant the injury; quarrels and deeds unless; and worse, God is provoked, and his wrath threatens eternal perdition.

c Chap. xii. 16.

4. The soul of the fluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Proverbs 13:4

If wishing would do, the fluggard would be wise and rich, but he hates the pains, without which neither can be attained, and therefore continues deftance of both. But the soul of the diligent shall enjoy the comfort of his labours; whether temporarily, in the increase of his wealth, or spiritually, in the abundance of grace and consolations ministered unto him, in answer to his unwearied prayers.

5. A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is hothsome, and cometh to shame.

Proverbs 13:5

A righteous man not only abstains from lying, but abhors it as a sin most offensive to God, and injurious to man: but a wicked man is hothsome, like a putrid corpse, sending forth the confidential effluvia of sin, and cometh to shame; his lies are detected, and he justly exposed; or makes himself to shack, an object odious to God, and detected of all good men.

6. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthrooeth the sinner.

Proverbs 13:6

They who possess the grace of God in truth, will be preserved upright in the way, found in the doctrine, and desirful in the practice of the gospel, unmoved by Satan’s temptations, or the world’s crowns or feudies: but wickedness overthrooeth the sinner, or sin, for he is such a mass of corruption, that all he is and does is evil, and only evil, and that continually; no wonder then, that he is overthrown with everlasting destruction.

e Chap. xii. 19.

7. There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

Proverbs 13:7

They are not always the richest who make the greatest figure in the world; but oftentimes men appear in all the extravagance of dress and equipage, when they are worse than nothing, in debt, never manning, or able to pay it. Thus

Vol. I.

hypocrites, and talkative persons, make large professions of piety, when in fact they have only a name to live, and are really dead in trespasses and sins. On the other hand, some, with the shew and constant complaint of poverty, are really wallowing in wealth; yet, for fear of want, and through forbid avarice, pise in the midst of plenty. Thus also many truly rich in grace, and heirs of the kingdom, yet have sometimes sad complaints and fear for themselves, whether ever they have been partakers of the blessing.

8. The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor beareth not rebuke.

Proverbs 13:8

Riches are often a tempting bait, and bring the life of their possessor into danger, which he is glad to ransom at the price of all his treasures; but the poor having nothing to lose, no accusation is brought against them, as they have no bribes to pay, and no robber mindless their empty coffers: or spiritually, the poor and lowly in heart are accepted of God, and have no rebukes in anger from him; whilst the rich, who trust on their wealth as their ransom, will be utterly condemned.

9. The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

Proverbs 13:9

Joy is sown for the righteous: in time he shall walk in the reviving light of God’s countenance; in eternity, his sins shall never go down; but the lamp of the wicked, his glimmering short-lived prosperity, the momentary pleasures of sin, shall be put out in eternal darkness.

10. Only by pride cometh contention; but with the well advised is wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10

Pride is the root of all quarrels. The opinionated cannot bear contradiction; the aspiring, a rival; the self-willed, opposition. Hence come uners and pleasury, but unite the well advised, who speak or do nothing rashly, but consult their bibles, their able friends and their pillows, it wisdom; they will not give a handle for contention, and avoid all occasion of dispute.

11. Wealth gotten by vanity, shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour, shall increase.

Proverbs 13:11

Light come, light go; wealth gotten by vanity, by tricking, fraud, gaming, &c. will be diminished; soon it shall melt as snow before the sun, for the curse of God is upon it: but the fruits of honest industry will be an interesting and lasting possession.

12. Hope deserved maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12

Suspense is a state of mind the most uneasy, and the long delay of our hopes, almost as painful as their disappointment: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life, the soul is transported with joy, and in a temporary paradise. Note, (1.) It is good to have little expectation from creature good; then anxiety will give us no pain, or disappointment vice etc. (2.) Though the desire of the saints after perfect holiness and happiness seem long delayed, it will be the forester when it comes.

13. Who so despiseth the word, shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment, shall be rewarded.

Proverbs 13:13

Many make light of God’s word, despise his ministers, and slight his warnings, who will quickly rule their folly; for they who refuse to be ruled by it, must be ruined: destruction of body and soul in hell will be their judgment. Whilst he that feareth the commandment, with reverence hears, trembles at God’s word, and with diligence obeys, shall be rewarded with present comfort, and eternal glory.

14. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Proverbs 13:14

The laws of the wise, the doctrines of truth they inculcate, taught by the all-wise Prophet, is a fountain of life, refreshing, comforting, enlivening the soul, and a constant preservative from the snares of death, from which we are warned thereby to depart.

15. Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

Proverbs 13:15

They will be respected in general, who shew themselves intelligent, and particularly an understanding enlightened by the spirit to know the things of God, giveth favour with him, and all good men: but the way of transgressors is hard; sin is the vileth forritude, makes men a plague to others, a burden to themselves. Strange! that we should ever be so infatuated, as to prefer this hard way, to that service which is perfect freedom!

16. ’ Every prudent man deaeth with knowledge : but a fool + layeth open his folly.

Proverbs 13:16

A prudent man is cautious : hears, examines, and weighs before he speaks, and chutes not to be engaged in any thing, till he has a thorough knowledge of the subject : but a fool, calls and thoughtless, layeth open his folly, exposing himself to the ridicule of every company.

Proverbs 13:27

Before Christ 1000.

The faithful, or deceitful man, reaffeth not that which he took in husting; if he goes to the field, he does not labour enough to get his game: or if he hath caught it, he is scarce at the pains to dress it; or figuratively, it may refer to the wealth of the faithful and deceitful, which drops through their fingers, and of which they have no enjoyment: but the influence of a diligent man is precious; he is little or much, he hath God’s blessing therewith, enjoys it with comfort and thankfulness, and it is withal abiding.

28. In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Proverbs 13:28

In the way of righteousness, which is faith in Christ and his righteousness, producing holy walking before God, is life; the true life of our souls, communion with God, a sense of his favour here, and life eternal hereafter: and in the path may thereof there is no death; they who are pulled from death unto life, shall never know a second death; glory, honour, and immortality will be their everlasting portion.

C H A P. XIII.

1. A Wise son beareth his father’s instruction: but a former beareth not rebuke.