17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: 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,