17 Iron is sharpened by iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands; Thy words have upholden him that was stumbling, and thou hast braced up the bending knees:
Strengthen the weak hands and confirm the tottering knees. Say to them that are of a timid heart, Be strong, fear not; behold your God: vengeance cometh, the recompense of God! He will come himself, and save you.
Beloved, take not [as] strange the fire [of persecution] which has taken place amongst you for [your] trial, as if a strange thing was happening to you; but as ye have share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, that in the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exultation.
And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me; and if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. Be strong, and let us shew ourselves valiant for our people and for the cities of our God; and Jehovah do what is good in his sight.
in which I suffer even unto bonds as an evil-doer: but the word of God is not bound. For this cause I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that *they* also may obtain the salvation which [is] in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The word [is] faithful; for if we have died together with [him], we shall also live together; if we endure, we shall also reign together; if we deny, *he* also will deny us; if we are unfaithful, *he* abides faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 27
Commentary on Proverbs 27 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 27
Pro 27:1
Here is,
Pro 27:2
Note,
Pro 27:3-4
These two verses show the intolerable mischief,
Pro 27:5-6
Note,
Pro 27:7
Solomon here, as often in this book, shows that the poor have in some respects the advantage of the rich; for,
Pro 27:8
Note,
Pro 27:9-10
Here is,
Pro 27:11
Children are here exhorted to be wise and good,
Pro 27:12
This we had before, ch. 22:3. Note,
Pro 27:13
This also we had before, ch. 20:16.
Pro 27:14
Note,
Pro 27:15-16
Here, as before, Solomon laments the case of him that has a peevish passionate wife, that is continually chiding, and making herself and all about her uneasy.
Pro 27:17
This intimates both the pleasure and the advantage of conversation. One man is nobody; nor will poring upon a book in a corner accomplish a man as the reading and studying of men will. Wise and profitable discourse sharpens men's wits; and those that have ever so much knowledge may by conference have something added to them. It sharpens men's looks, and, by cheering the spirits, puts a briskness and liveliness into the countenance, and gives a man such an air as shows he is pleased himself and makes him pleasing to those about him. Good men's graces are sharpened by converse with those that are good, and bad men's lusts and passions are sharpened by converse with those that are bad, as iron is sharpened by its like, especially by the file. Men are filed, made smooth, and bright, and fit for business (who were rough, and dull, and inactive), by conversation. This is designed,
Pro 27:18
This is designed to encourage diligence, faithfulness, and constancy, even in mean employments. Though the calling be laborious and despicable, yet those who keep to it will find there is something to be got by it.
Pro 27:19
This shows us that there is a way,
Pro 27:20
Two things are here said to be insatiable, and they are two things near of kin-death and sin.
Pro 27:21
This gives us a touchstone by which we may try ourselves. Silver and gold are tried by putting them into the furnace and fining-pot; so is man tried by praising him. Let him be extolled and preferred, and then he will show himself what he is.
Pro 27:22
Solomon had said (ch. 22:15), The foolishness which is bound in the heart of a child may be driven out by the rod of correction, for then the mind is to be moulded, the vicious habits not having taken root; but here he shows that, if it be not done then, it will be next to impossible to do it afterwards; if the disease be inveterate, there is a danger of its being incurable. Can the Ethiopian change his skin? Observe,
Pro 27:23-27
Here is,