Proverbs 18
Proverbs 18 presents pivotal events and lessons, emphasizing themes like faith, obedience, and God’s faithful guidance.
Summary
Proverbs 18 continues the story of Proverbs, revealing key themes of faith, obedience, and God’s promise-keeping. This chapter illustrates the human response to divine commands, showing both trust and failure, and demonstrates God’s mercy and justice. As part of the larger narrative, it lays groundwork for understanding God’s covenant relationship with His people and points forward to the hope of redemption. Readers are encouraged to reflect on their own lives, to trust in God’s plans, and to live in faithful obedience, finding hope in His unchanging character.
Primarily attributed to Solomon, with contributions from others (10th–6th century BC). Wisdom sayings.
Proverbs 18: KJV Commentary and Summary
1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh [and] intermeddleth with all wisdom.
2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
3 When the wicked cometh, [then] cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
4 The words of a man's mouth [are as] deep waters, [and] the wellspring of wisdom [as] a flowing brook.
5 [It is] not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7 A fool's mouth [is] his destruction, and his lips [are] the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer [are] as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
11 The rich man's wealth [is] his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.
12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour [is] humility.
13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
17 [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
19 A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city: and [their] contentions [are] like the bars of a castle.
20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
22 [Whoso] findeth a wife findeth a good [thing], and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.
24 A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother.
Faith, Obedience, God’s Promises, Judgment, Mercy, Hope
Proverbs 18:1 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Proverbs 18:13 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.; Proverbs 18:24 – Highlights key themes of faith and God’s interaction with His people.