Bible Commentaries
Go deeper in Scripture
Browse trusted public-domain commentary alongside DiscipleDeck Bible study. References inside each commentary open Bible previews in place.
3,811 commentary entries
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 23:9
We are here directed not to cast pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6) and not to expose things sacred to the contempt and ridicule of profane scoffers. It is our duty to take all fit occasions to speak of divine things; bu…
Parental Duties
Note, 1. The fatherless are taken under God's special protection; with him they not only find mercy shown to them (Hosea 14:3) but justice done for them. He is their Redeemer, their Goël, their near kinsman, that will t…
Parental Advice
Here is, 1. A parent instructing his child. He is here brought in persuading him to give his mind to his book, and especially to the scriptures and his catechism, to attend to the words of knowledge, by which he might c…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 23:17-18
Here is, 1. A necessary caution against entertaining any favourable thoughts of prospering profaneness: "Let not thy heart envy sinners; do not grudge them either the liberty they take to sin or the success they are to…
Cautions against Intemperance
Here is good advice for parents to give to their children; words are put into their mouths, that they may train them up in the way they should go. Here we have, I. An earnest call to young people to attend to the advice…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 23:29-35
Solomon here gives fair warning against the sin of drunkenness, to confirm what he had said, Proverbs 23:20. I. He cautions all people to keep out of the way of temptations to this sin (Proverbs 23:31): Look not thou up…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 24:1-2
Here, 1. The caution given is much the same with that which we had before (Proverbs 23:17), not to envy sinners, not to think them happy, nor to wish ourselves in their condition, though they prosper ever so much in thi…
The Malicious and the Scornful
We are tempted to envy those that grow rich, and raise their estates and families, by such unjust courses as our consciences will by no means suffer us to use. But, to set aside that temptation, Solomon here shows that…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 24:7-9
Here is the description, 1. Of a weak man: Wisdom is too high for him; he thinks it so, and therefore, despairing to attain it, he will take no pains in the pursuit of it, but sit down content without it. And really it…
Pleasure and Advantages of Wisdom
Note, 1. In the day of adversity we are apt to faint, to droop and be discouraged, to desist from our work, and to despair of relief. Our spirits sink, and then our hands hang down and our knees grow feeble, and we beco…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 24:11-12
Here is, 1. A great duty required of us, and that is to appear for the relief of oppressed innocency. If we see the lives or livelihoods of any in danger of being taken away unjustly, we ought to bestir ourselves all we…
Cautions against Envy
We are here quickened to the study of wisdom by the consideration both of the pleasure and the profit of it. 1. It will be very pleasant. We eat honey because it is sweet to the taste, and upon that account we call it g…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 24:15-16
This is spoken, not so much by way of counsel to wicked men (they will not receive instruction, Proverbs 23:9), but rather in defiance of them, for the encouragement of good people that are threatened by them. See here,…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 24:17-18
Here, 1. The pleasure we are apt to take in the troubles of an enemy is forbidden us. If any have done us an ill turn, or if we bear them ill-will only because they stand in our light or in our way, when any damage come…
Counsel to Magistrates
Here, 1. He repeats the caution he had before given against envying the pleasures and successes of wicked man in their wicked ways. This he quotes from his father David, Psalm 37:1. We must not in any case fret ourselve…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 24:21-22
Note, 1. Religion and loyalty must go together. As men, it is our duty to honour our Creator, to worship and reverence him, and to be always in his fear; as members of a community, incorporated for mutual benefit, it is…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 24:23-26
Here are lessons for wise men, that is, judges and princes. As subjects must do their duty, and be obedient to magistrates, so magistrates must do their duty in administering justice to their subjects, both in pleas of…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 24:27
This is a rule of prudence in the management of household affairs; for all good men should be good husbands, and manage with discretion, which would prevent a great deal of sin, and trouble, and disgrace to their profes…
The Vineyard of the Slothful
We are here forbidden to be in any thing injurious to our neighbour, particularly in and by the forms of law, either, 1. As a witness: "Never bear a testimony against any man without cause, unless what thou sayest thou…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 24:30-34
Here is, 1. The view which Solomon took of the field and vineyard of the slothful man. He did not go on purpose to see it, but, as he passed by, observing the fruitfulness of the ground, as it is very proper for travell…
Prudential Maxims
This verse is the title of this latter collection of Solomon's proverbs, for he sought out and set in order many proverbs, that by them he might be still teaching the people knowledge, Ecclesiastes 12:9. Observe, 1. The…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 25:2-3
Here is, 1. An instance given of the honour of God: It is his glory to conceal a matter. He needs not search into any thing, for he perfectly knows every thing by a clear and certain view, and nothing can be hidden from…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 25:4-5
This shows that the vigorous endeavour of a prince to suppress vice, and reform the manners of his people, is the most effectual way to support his government. Observe, 1. What the duty of magistrates is: To take away t…
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 25:6-7
Here we see, 1. That religion is so far from destroying good manners that it reaches us to behave ourselves lowly and reverently towards our superiors, to keep our distance, and give place to those to whom it belongs "P…