Proverbs Chapter 11
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Proverbs 11:1
Bible Verses:
1A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord.
Proverbs 11:2
Bible Verses:
2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:3
Bible Verses:
3The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
An honest man's principles are fixed, therefore his way is plain.
Proverbs 11:4
Bible Verses:
4Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
Riches will stand men in no stead in the day of death.
Proverbs 11:5, 6
Bible Verses:
5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
The ways of wickedness are dangerous. And sin will be its own punishment.
Proverbs 11:7
Bible Verses:
7When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
When a godly man dies, all his fears vanish; but when a wicked man dies, his hopes vanish.
Proverbs 11:8
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8The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
The righteous are often wonderfully kept from going into dangerous situations, and the ungodly go in their stead.
Proverbs 11:9
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9An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
Hypocrites delude men into error and sin by artful objections against the truths of God's word.
Proverbs 11:10, 11
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10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
Nations prosper when wicked men are cast down.
Proverbs 11:12
Bible Verses:
12He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
A man of understanding does not judge of others by their success.
Proverbs 11:13
Bible Verses:
13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
A faithful man will not disclose what he is trusted with, unless the honour of God and the real good of society require it.
Proverbs 11:14
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14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
We shall often find it to our advantage to advise with others.
Proverbs 11:15
Bible Verses:
15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
The welfare of our families, our own peace, and our ability to pay just debts, must not be brought into danger. But here especially let us consider the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in becoming Surety even for enemies.
Proverbs 11:16
Bible Verses:
16A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
A pious and discreet woman will keep esteem and respect, as strong men keep possession of wealth.
Proverbs 11:17
Bible Verses:
17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
A cruel, froward, ill-natured man, is vexatious to those that are, and should be to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself.
Proverbs 11:18
Bible Verses:
18The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
He that makes it his business to do good, shall have a reward, as sure to him as eternal truth can make it.
Proverbs 11:19
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19As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
True holiness is true happiness. The more violent a man is in sinful pursuits, the more he hastens his own destruction.
Proverbs 11:20
Bible Verses:
20They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
Nothing is more hateful to God, than hypocrisy and double dealing, which are here signified. God delights in such as aim and act with uprightness.
Proverbs 11:21
Bible Verses:
21Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Joining together in sin shall not protect the sinners.
Proverbs 11:22
Bible Verses:
22As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
Beauty is abused by those who have not discretion or modesty with it. This is true of all bodily endowments.
Proverbs 11:23
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23The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
The wicked desire mischief to others, but it shall return upon themselves.
Proverbs 11:24
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24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
A man may grow poor by not paying just debts, not relieving the poor, not allowing needful expenses. Let men be ever so saving of what they have, if God appoints, it comes to nothing.
Proverbs 11:25
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25The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren.
Proverbs 11:26
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26He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
We must not hoard up the gifts of God's bounty, merely for our own advantage.
Proverbs 11:27
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27He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
Seeking mischief is here set against seeking good; for those that are not doing good are doing hurt, even to themselves.
Proverbs 11:28
Bible Verses:
28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
The true believer is a branch of the living Vine. When those that take root in the world wither, those who are grafted into Christ shall be fruitful.
Proverbs 11:29
Bible Verses:
29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
He that brings trouble upon himself and his family, by carelessness, or by wickedness, shall be unable to keep and enjoy what he gets, as a man is unable to hold the wind, or to satisfy himself with it.
Proverbs 11:30
Bible Verses:
30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
The righteous are as trees of life; and their influence upon earth, like the fruits of that tree, support and nourish the spiritual life in many.
Proverbs 11:31
Bible Verses:
31Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Even the righteous, when they offend on earth, shall meet with sharp corrections; much more will the wicked meet the due reward of their sins. Let us then seek those blessings which our Surety purchased by his sufferings and death; let us seek to copy his example, and to keep his commandments.