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Proverbs 19:3
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- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
3 The foolishness of a man overturneth his way, And his heart is angry against Jahve. Regarding סלף, vid., at Pro 11:3; also the Arab. signification "to go before" proceeds from the root conception pervertere, for first a letting precede, or preceding (e.g., of the paying before the delivery of that which is paid for: salaf, a pre-numbering, and then also: advanced money), consisting in the reversal of the natural order, is meant. The way is here the way of life, the walking: the folly of a man overturns, i.e., destroys, his life's-course; but although he is himself the fabricator of his own ruin, yet the ill-humour (זעף, aestuare, vid., at Psa 11:6) of his heart turns itself against God, and he blames (lxx essentially correct: αἰτιᾶται) God instead of himself, viz., his own madness, whereby he has turned the grace of God into lasciviousness, cast to the winds the instruction which lay in His providences, and frustrated the will of God desiring his good. A beautiful paraphrase of this parable is found at Sir. 15:11-20; cf. Lam 3:39.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
perverteth . . . way--turns him back from right (Pro 13:6; Jam 1:13); and he blames God for his failures.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The foolishness of man perverteth his way,.... The sinfulness of his heart and nature; the folly which is bound up in it causes him to go astray out of the way in which he should go, or makes things go cross with him; so that the ways he takes do not prosper, nor his schemes succeed; but everything goes against him, and he is brought into straits and difficulties; and his heart fretteth against the Lord; laying all the blame on him; and ascribing his ill success, not to his own sin and folly, but to divine Providence, which works against him; and therefore frets and murmurs at him; and, instead of charging his own ways with folly, charges the ways of God with inequality; see Eze 18:25.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We have here two instances of men's folly: - 1. That they bring themselves into straits and troubles, and run themselves a-ground, and embarrass themselves: The foolishness of man perverts his way. Men meet with crosses and disappointments in their affairs, and things do not succeed as they expected and wished, and it is owing to themselves and their own folly; it is their own iniquity that corrects them. 2. That when they have done so they lay the blame upon God, and their hearts fret against him, as if he had done them wrong, whereas really they wrong themselves. In fretting, we are enemies to our own peace, and become self-tormentors; in fretting against the Lord we affront him, his justice, goodness, and sovereignty; and it is very absurd to take occasion from the trouble which we pull upon our own heads by our wilfulness, or neglect, to quarrel with him, when we ought to blame ourselves, for it is our own doing. See Isa 50:1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
19:3 Rather than acknowledge wrong choices and actions, fools blame the Lord.
Proverbs 19:3
The Man of Integrity
2Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark. 3A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Hell - Part 2
By Norman Grubb1.7K30:23HellPRO 19:3MAT 5:48MAT 7:1ROM 6:14ROM 7:4ROM 7:6JAS 2:10In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of seeing the negative aspects of life and embracing change. He uses the example of Jesus, who was seen as a fool by the world but had the guidance and faith to fulfill God's purpose. The preacher encourages the audience to refrain from judging others and instead accept them as they are, trusting that God has a purpose for everyone. He also emphasizes the need to love oneself and recognize that every individual is precious to God.
Submission, Not Fretting
By Mary Wilder Tileston0PSA 119:75PRO 19:3ROM 5:3PHP 4:6HEB 13:15JAS 1:21PE 5:6Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the importance of meek submission and worshiping God in every sorrow, highlighting that impatience and fretting under trial do not increase our suffering. She emphasizes that through humble and loving acceptance of each pang and heartache, we can find peace amid anguish and sanctify our suffering. Tileston encourages believers to trust in God's judgments and faithfulness even in the midst of trials, knowing that enduring with submission and trust is a true act of adoration that carries out His gracious work in us.
And When the People Complained,
By A.B. Simpson0MurmuringTrust in GodEXO 16:2NUM 11:1JOB 1:22PSA 106:25PRO 19:3ROM 14:101CO 10:10PHP 2:14HEB 3:12JAS 5:9A.B. Simpson addresses the subtlety of murmuring among the children of Israel in the wilderness, emphasizing how people often express their discontent 'as it were' without openly sinning. He illustrates how individuals may evade direct accusations against God by complaining about their circumstances or others, revealing a deeper struggle with faith and trust. Simpson warns that such murmuring can lead to a dangerous mindset where one might charge God foolishly if given the chance. The sermon serves as a reminder of the importance of confronting our grievances honestly and recognizing the underlying issues in our hearts. Ultimately, it calls for self-examination and a return to trust in God's faithfulness.
The Hatred of God in the Human Heart
By William MacDonald0ApostasyHuman FollyPSA 36:1PRO 19:3ISA 53:6JER 17:9JHN 3:20ROM 1:18GAL 6:7EPH 4:18JAS 1:142PE 3:3William MacDonald addresses the theme of human folly and its consequences, emphasizing how individuals often blame God for the ruin brought upon themselves by their own sinful choices. He illustrates this with examples of those who, after falling into immorality, turn against their faith and God instead of repenting. MacDonald highlights that apostasy frequently stems from moral failure, and that the hatred of God in the human heart is often a response to the light that exposes sin. He concludes that the reluctance to accept God's truth is deeply rooted in moral issues rather than intellectual doubts.
He Dares Spit in the Very Face of God Himself!
By Thomas Brooks0FrettingTrust in God's PlanEXO 5:22KI 6:33JOB 5:2PSA 37:1PSA 37:7PRO 19:3ISA 8:21EZK 16:43JON 4:4JAS 1:20Thomas Brooks emphasizes the folly of fretting against God during times of distress, illustrating how individuals often blame God for their suffering instead of recognizing their own sins that lead to misery. He cites examples from scripture, such as Pharaoh's defiance and Jonah's misplaced anger, to show that a fretful heart can lead to a direct challenge against God. Brooks warns that fretting only brings more suffering and that true wisdom lies in accepting God's will rather than rebelling against it. He encourages believers to refrain from anger towards God and to seek understanding in their trials.
The Illogic of Complaining
By A.W. Tozer0ComplainingGratitudeEXO 16:2NUM 14:27PSA 77:3PRO 19:3ROM 8:28EPH 4:29PHP 2:14COL 3:151TH 5:18JAS 5:9A.W. Tozer addresses the detrimental effects of complaining on the soul and the Christian testimony, emphasizing that this sin is often overlooked despite its prevalence. He argues that a complaining heart can always find reasons to be unhappy, whether it be about circumstances, the church, or even God. Tozer points out the illogical nature of a Christian's complaints, as they have chosen to follow Christ freely and can leave at any time, yet they persist in grumbling. This contradiction places them in a morally untenable position, undermining their faith and witness. Ultimately, Tozer calls for self-examination and a shift away from a complaining attitude to one of gratitude and faith.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
3 The foolishness of a man overturneth his way, And his heart is angry against Jahve. Regarding סלף, vid., at Pro 11:3; also the Arab. signification "to go before" proceeds from the root conception pervertere, for first a letting precede, or preceding (e.g., of the paying before the delivery of that which is paid for: salaf, a pre-numbering, and then also: advanced money), consisting in the reversal of the natural order, is meant. The way is here the way of life, the walking: the folly of a man overturns, i.e., destroys, his life's-course; but although he is himself the fabricator of his own ruin, yet the ill-humour (זעף, aestuare, vid., at Psa 11:6) of his heart turns itself against God, and he blames (lxx essentially correct: αἰτιᾶται) God instead of himself, viz., his own madness, whereby he has turned the grace of God into lasciviousness, cast to the winds the instruction which lay in His providences, and frustrated the will of God desiring his good. A beautiful paraphrase of this parable is found at Sir. 15:11-20; cf. Lam 3:39.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
perverteth . . . way--turns him back from right (Pro 13:6; Jam 1:13); and he blames God for his failures.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The foolishness of man perverteth his way,.... The sinfulness of his heart and nature; the folly which is bound up in it causes him to go astray out of the way in which he should go, or makes things go cross with him; so that the ways he takes do not prosper, nor his schemes succeed; but everything goes against him, and he is brought into straits and difficulties; and his heart fretteth against the Lord; laying all the blame on him; and ascribing his ill success, not to his own sin and folly, but to divine Providence, which works against him; and therefore frets and murmurs at him; and, instead of charging his own ways with folly, charges the ways of God with inequality; see Eze 18:25.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We have here two instances of men's folly: - 1. That they bring themselves into straits and troubles, and run themselves a-ground, and embarrass themselves: The foolishness of man perverts his way. Men meet with crosses and disappointments in their affairs, and things do not succeed as they expected and wished, and it is owing to themselves and their own folly; it is their own iniquity that corrects them. 2. That when they have done so they lay the blame upon God, and their hearts fret against him, as if he had done them wrong, whereas really they wrong themselves. In fretting, we are enemies to our own peace, and become self-tormentors; in fretting against the Lord we affront him, his justice, goodness, and sovereignty; and it is very absurd to take occasion from the trouble which we pull upon our own heads by our wilfulness, or neglect, to quarrel with him, when we ought to blame ourselves, for it is our own doing. See Isa 50:1.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
19:3 Rather than acknowledge wrong choices and actions, fools blame the Lord.