Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary

Proverbs 25

Commentaries

Proverbs 25:1-3 God needs not search into any thing; nothing can be hid from him. But it is the honour of rulers to search out matters, to bring to light hidden works of darkness. MHBC 654.1

Proverbs 25:4,5 For a prince to suppress vice, and reform his people, is the best way to support his government. MHBC 654.2

Proverbs 25:6,7 Religion teaches us humility and self-denial. He who has seen the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus, will feel his own unworthiness. MHBC 654.3

Proverbs 25:8-10 To be hasty in beginning strife, will bring into difficulties. War must at length end, and might better be prevented. It is so in private quarrels; do all thou canst to settle the matter. MHBC 654.4

Proverbs 25:11,12 A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets. MHBC 654.5

Proverbs 25:13 See what ought to be the aim of him that is trusted with any business; to be faithful. A faithful minister, Christ's messenger, should be thus acceptable to us. MHBC 654.6

Proverbs 25:14 He who pretends to have received or given that which he never had, is like the morning cloud, that disappoints those who look for rain. MHBC 654.7

Proverbs 25:15 Be patient to bear a present hurt. Be mild to speak without passion; for persuasive language is the most effectual to prevail over the hardened mind. MHBC 654.8

Proverbs 25:16 God has given us leave to use grateful things, but we are cautioned against excess. MHBC 654.9

Proverbs 25:17 We cannot be upon good terms with our neighbours, without discretion as well as sincerity. How much better a Friend is God than any other friend! The oftener we come to him, the more welcome. MHBC 654.10

Proverbs 25:18 A false testimony is dangerous in every thing. MHBC 654.11

Proverbs 25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man is painful and vexatious; when we put any stress on him, he not only fails, but makes us feel for it. MHBC 654.12

Proverbs 25:20 We take a wrong course if we think to relieve those in sorrow by endeavouring to make them merry. MHBC 654.13

Proverbs 25:21,22 The precept to love even our enemies is an Old Testament commandment. Our Saviour has shown his own great example in loving us when we were enemies. MHBC 654.14

Proverbs 25:23 Slanders would not be so readily spoken, if they were not readily heard. Sin, if it receives any check, becomes cowardly. MHBC 654.15

Proverbs 25:24 It is better to be alone, than to be joined to one who is a hinderance to the comfort of life. MHBC 654.16

Proverbs 25:25 Heaven is a country afar off; how refreshing is good news from thence, in the everlasting gospel, which signifies glad tidings, and in the witness of the Spirit with our spirits that we are God's children! MHBC 654.17

Proverbs 25:26 When the righteous are led into sin, it is as hurtful as if the public fountains were poisoned. MHBC 654.18

Proverbs 25:27 We must be, through grace, dead to the pleasures of sense, and also to the praises of men. MHBC 654.19

Proverbs 25:28 The man who has no command over his anger, is easily robbed of peace. Let us give up ourselves to the Lord, and pray him to put his Spirit within us, and cause us to walk in his statutes. MHBC 654.20