25 The fear of man is a cause of danger: but whoever puts his faith in the Lord will have a safe place on high.
And I say to you, my friends, Have no fear of those who may put the body to death, and are able to do no more than that.
It is better to have faith in the Lord than to put one's hope in man.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy.
My God has sent his angel to keep the lions' mouths shut, and they have done me no damage: because I was seen to be without sin before him; and further, before you, O King, I have done no wrong.
At my first meeting with my judges, no one took my part, but all went away from me. May it not be put to their account. But the Lord was by my side and gave me strength; so that through me the news might be given out in full measure, and all the Gentiles might give ear: and I was taken out of the mouth of the lion.
Nebuchadnezzar made answer and said, Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who has sent his angel and kept his servants safe who had faith in him, and who put the king's word on one side and gave up their bodies to the fire, so that they might not be servants or worshippers of any other god but their God.
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I made a protest against him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. For before certain men came from James, he did take food with the Gentiles: but when they came, he went back and made himself separate, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews went after him, so that even Barnabas was overcome by their false ways.
Hearing this, Pilate had a desire to let him go free, but the Jews said in a loud voice, If you let this man go, you are not Caesar's friend: everyone who makes himself a king goes against Caesar. So when these words came to Pilate's ear, he took Jesus out, seating himself in the judge's seat in a place named in Hebrew, Gabbatha, or the Stone Floor.
They said this because of their fear of the Jews: for the Jews had come to an agreement that if any man said that Jesus was the Christ he would be put out of the Synagogue.
He came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we are certain that you have come from God as a teacher, because no man would be able to do these signs which you do if God was not with him.
Now Peter was seated in the open square outside the house: and a servant-girl came to him, saying, You were with Jesus the Galilaean. But he said before them all that it was false, saying, I have no knowledge of what you say. And when he had gone out into the doorway, another saw him and says to those who were there, This man was with Jesus the Nazarene. And again he said with an oath, I have no knowledge of the man. And after a little time those who were near came and said to Peter, Truly you are one of them; because your talk is witness against you. Then with curses and oaths he said, I have no knowledge of the man. And straight away there came the cry of a cock.
Then the disciples came and said to him, Did you see that the Pharisees were troubled when these words came to their ears?
And have no fear of those who put to death the body, but are not able to put to death the soul. But have fear of him who has power to give soul and body to destruction in hell.
It is good to take this in your hand and not to keep your hand from that; he who has the fear of God will be free of the two.
Every word of God is tested: he is a breastplate to those who put their faith in him.
<A Song of the going up.> Those whose hope is in the Lord are like the mountain of Zion, which may not be moved, but keeps its place for ever.
But I am poor and full of sorrow; let me be lifted up by your salvation, O Lord.
And he got up, fearing for his life, and went in flight, and came to Beer-sheba in Judah, parting there from his servant;
Not one living man or woman did David ever take back with him to Gath, fearing that they might give an account of what had taken place, and say, This is what David did, and so has he been doing all the time while he has been living in the land of the Philistines.
And David said to himself, Some day death will come to me by the hand of Saul: the only thing for me to do is to get away into the land of the Philistines; then Saul will give up hope of taking me in any part of the land of Israel: and so I may be able to get away from him.
And Saul said to Samuel, Great is my sin: for I have gone against the orders of the Lord and against your words: because, fearing the people, I did what they said.
And Aaron said, Let not my lord be angry; you have seen how the purposes of this people are evil. For they said to me, Make us a god to go before us: as for this Moses, who took us up out of the land of Egypt, we have no idea what has come to him. Then I said to them, Whoever has any gold, let him take it off; so they gave it to me, and I put it in the fire, and this image of an ox came out.
And Abraham said of Sarah, his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent and took Sarah.
Now when he came near to Egypt, he said to Sarai, his wife, Truly, you are a fair woman and beautiful to the eye; And I am certain that when the men of Egypt see you, they will say, This is his wife: and they will put me to death and keep you. Say, then, that you are my sister, and so it will be well with me because of you, and my life will be kept safe on your account.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 29
Commentary on Proverbs 29 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 29
Pr 29:1-27.
1. hardeneth … neck—obstinately refuses counsel (2Ki 17:14; Ne 9:16).
destroyed—literally, "shivered" or "utterly broken to pieces."
without remedy—literally, "without healing" or repairing.
2. (Compare Pr 11:10; 28:28).
in authority—(Compare Margin), increased in power.
3. (Compare Pr 4:6, 7; 10:1, &c.).
4. by judgment—that is, righteous decisions, opposed to those procured by gifts (compare Pr 28:21), by which good government is perverted.
land—for nation.
5. (Compare Pr 26:28).
spreadeth … feet—By misleading him as to his real character, the flatterer brings him to evil, prepared by himself or others.
6. In—or, "By"
the transgression—he is brought into difficulty (Pr 12:13), but the righteous go on prospering, and so sing or rejoice.
7. considereth—literally, "knows," as Ps 1:6.
the cause—that is, in courts of justice (compare Pr 29:14). The voluntary neglect of it by the wicked (Pr 28:27) occasions oppression.
8. Scornful men—those who contemptuously disregard God's law.
bring—(Compare Margin), kindle strife.
turn away wrath—that is, "abate wrath."
9. contendeth—that is, in law.
whether … laugh—The fool, whether angry or good-humored, is unsettled; or referring the words to the wise man, the sense is, that all his efforts, severe or gentle, are unavailing to pacify the fool.
10. bloodthirsty—(Compare Margin), murderers (Ps 5:6; 26:9).
hate, &c.—(Pr 1:11; Ge 3:4).
seek … soul—that is, to preserve it.
11. (Compare Pr 12:16; 16:32).
mind—or, "spirit," for anger or any ill passion which the righteous restrain.
12. His servants imitate him.
13. (Compare Pr 22:2).
deceitful man—literally, "man of vexations," an exactor.
the Lord … their eyes—sustains their lives (1Sa 14:27; Ps 13:3); that is, both depend on Him, and He will do justice.
14. (Compare Pr 20:28; 25:5). Such is the character of the King of kings (Ps 72:4, 12).
15. (Compare Pr 13:24; 23:13).
16. (Compare Pr 29:2, 12; Ps 12:1-8).
shall see … fall—and triumph in it (Ps 37:34-38; 58:10, 11).
17. (Compare Pr 29:3, 15; Pr 19:18).
give thee rest—peace and quiet (compare Pr 29:9).
18. no vision—instruction in God's truth, which was by prophets, through visions (1Sa 3:1).
people perish—(Compare Margin), are deprived of moral restraints.
keepeth the law—has, and observes, instruction (Pr 14:11, 34; Ps 19:11).
19. A servant—who lacks good principle.
corrected—or discovered.
will not answer—that is, will not obey.
20. (Compare Pr 21:5).
hasty in … words?—implying self-conceit (Pr 26:12).
21. become his son—assume the place and privileges of one.
22. (Compare Pr 15:18). Such are delighted by discord and violence.
23. (Compare Pr 16:18; 18:12).
honour … spirit—or, "such shall lay hold on honor" (Pr 11:16).
24. hateth … soul—(Compare Pr 8:36).
heareth cursing—(Le 5:1), risks the punishment, rather than reveal truth.
25. The fear … snare—involves men in difficulty (compare Pr 29:6).
shall be safe—(Compare Margin; Pr 18:10).
26. (Compare Margin; Ps 27:8). God alone will and can do exact justice.
27. (Compare Pr 3:32). On last clause, compare Pr 29:16; Ps 37:12.