Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible

(Jeff_L) #1

Verses 13–18


How diligent the tempter is, to seduce unwary souls into sin! Carnal, sensual pleasure, stupifies
conscience, and puts out the sparks of conviction. This tempter has no solid reason to offer; and
where she gets dominion in a soul, all knowledge of holy things is lost and forgotten. She is very
violent and pressing. We need to seek and pray for true wisdom, for Satan has many ways to
withdraw our souls from Christ. Not only worldly lusts and abandoned seducers prove fatal to the
souls of men; but false teachers, with doctrines that flatter pride and give liberty to lusts, destroy
thousands. They especially draw off such as have received only partial serious impressions. The
depths of Satan are depths of hell; and sin, without remorse, is ruin, ruin without remedy. Solomon
shows the hook; those that believe him, will not meddle with the bait. Behold the wretched, empty,
unsatisfying, deceitful, and stolen pleasure sin proposes; and may our souls be so desirous of the
everlasting enjoyment of Christ, that on earth we may live to him, daily, by faith, and ere long be
with him in glory.


Chapter 10


Through the whole of the Proverbs, we are to look for somewhat beyond the first sense
the passage may imply, and this we shall find to be Christ. He is the Wisdom so often spoken
of in this book.


Verse 1


The comfort of parents much depends on their children; and this suggests to both, motives to
their duties.


Verses 2, 3


Though the righteous may be poor, the Lord will not suffer him to want what is needful for
spiritual life.


Verse 4


Those who are fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, are likely to be rich in faith, and rich in good
works.


Verse 5


Here is just blame of those who trifle away opportunities, both for here and for hereafter.
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