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Proverbs 20:22
Verse
Context
Sermons
David Guzik
John Henry Jowett
C.H. Spurgeon
John GillSummary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
22 Say not: I will avenge the evil; Hope in Jahve, so will He help thee. Men ought always to act toward their neighbours according to the law of love, and not according to the jus talionis, Pro 24:29; they ought not only, by requiting good with evil (Pro 16:13; Psa 7:5, Psa 35:12), not to transgress this law of requital, but they ought to surpass it, by also recompensing not evil with evil (vid., regarding שׁלּם, and synon. to Pro 17:13); and that is what the proverb means, for 22b supposes injustice suffered, which might stir up a spirit of revenge. It does not, however, say that men ought to commit the taking of vengeance to God; but, in the sense of Rom 12:17-19; Pe1 3:9, that, renouncing all dependence on self, they ought to commit their deliverance out of the distress into which they have fallen, and their vindication, into the hands of God; for the promise is not that He will avenge them, but that He will help them. The jussive וישׁע (write וישׁע, according to Metheg-setzung, 42, with Gaja as העמדה, with the ע to secure distinct utterance to the final guttural) states as a consequence, like, e.g., Kg2 5:10, what will then happen (Jerome, Luther, Hitzig) if one lets God rule (Gesen. 128, 2c); equally possible, syntactically, is the rendering: that He may help thee (lxx, Ewald); but, regarded as a promise, the words are more in accordance with the spirit of the proverb, and they round it off more expressively.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Compare Psa 27:14; Rom 12:17-19).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Say not thou, I will recompense evil,.... With evil; do an injury to one that has done one to you; private revenge is not to be taken, but should be left to God, to whom vengeance belongs, Deu 32:35; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee; commit thyself and cause to God; leave it with him to avenge thy wrongs; wait upon him in the way of thy duty, and wait his own time to do thee justice; he will at the proper season, and in his own way, save thee from thine enemy, and make a righteous retribution to him.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Those that live in this world must expect to have injuries done them, affronts given them, and trouble wrongfully created them, for we dwell among briers. Now here we are told what to do when we have wrong done us. 1. We must not avenge ourselves, no, nor so much as think of revenge, or design it: "Say not thou, no, not in thy heart, I will recompense evil for evil. Do not please thyself with the thought that some time or other thou shalt have an opportunity of being quits with him. Do not wish revenge, or hope for it, much less resolve upon it, no, not when the injury is fresh and the resentment of it most deep. Never say that thou wilt do a think which thou canst not in faith pray to God to assist thee in, and that thou canst not do in mediating revenge." 2. We must refer ourselves to God, and leave it to him to plead our cause, to maintain our right, and reckon with those that do us wrong in such a way and manner as he thinks fit and in his own due time: "Wait on the Lord, and attend his pleasure, acquiesce in his will, and he does not say that he will punish him that has injured thee (instead of desiring that thou must forgive him and pray for him), but he will save thee, and that is enough. He will protect thee, so that thy passing by one injury shall not (as is commonly feared) expose thee to another; nay, he will recompense good to thee, to balance thy trouble and encourage thy patience," as David hoped, when Shimei cursed him, Sa2 16:12.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
20:22 See also Rom 12:17-21.
Proverbs 20:22
Wine Is a Mocker
21An inheritance gained quickly will not be blessed in the end. 22Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(1 Samuel) How to Overcome Evil With Good
By David Guzik1.0K40:451SA 24:11SA 24:20PRO 20:22MAT 5:44MAT 7:12LUK 6:31In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of David and Saul from the Bible. He highlights the moment when David had the opportunity to kill Saul but instead chose to cut off a corner of his robe. The preacher suggests that David initially intended to kill Saul but had a change of heart by God's intervention. He emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance in moments of revenge or retribution. The sermon concludes by reminding the audience that they will face struggles and opposition in life, but they can find victory and stay in it by trusting in God's power to overcome.
Noble Revenge
By John Henry Jowett0PRO 20:22MAT 5:44LUK 6:35ROM 12:21EPH 4:32John Henry Jowett preaches on the noble act of delivering kindness to enemies, drawing inspiration from Psalm 7:4. He emphasizes that responding to evil with good is godly, while repaying evil with evil is beast-like. Returning good for good is a manly act, but showing kindness in the face of evil is God-like, reflecting the character of Christ and elevating us to heavenly places.
Forget and Forgive
By C.H. Spurgeon0PatienceForgivenessPRO 20:22MAT 6:14ROM 12:19EPH 4:32C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and patience in the face of wrongdoing, urging believers not to seek revenge but to wait on the Lord for deliverance. He warns that acting out of anger can lead to unwise decisions and that holding onto grudges only prolongs pain. Instead, Spurgeon encourages letting go of offenses and trusting God to handle injustices, reminding us that true peace comes from surrendering our grievances to Him. By waiting on the Lord, we can find solace and assurance that He will provide a way of salvation. Ultimately, Spurgeon calls for a spirit of calmness and reliance on God's justice rather than engaging in petty conflicts.
1 Peter 2:23
By John Gill0Patience in SufferingTrusting GodPSA 37:5PRO 20:22ISA 53:7MAT 5:39LUK 23:34ROM 12:191TH 5:15HEB 10:301PE 2:231PE 3:9John Gill emphasizes the profound example set by Jesus in 1 Peter 2:23, illustrating how Christ, when reviled and mistreated, chose not to retaliate but instead responded with patience and grace. He highlights that Jesus endured false accusations and physical abuse without threatening or seeking revenge, ultimately committing His cause to God, the righteous Judge. This act of entrusting Himself to God serves as a powerful lesson for believers to refrain from retaliation and to leave their grievances in God's hands, who will judge righteously.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
22 Say not: I will avenge the evil; Hope in Jahve, so will He help thee. Men ought always to act toward their neighbours according to the law of love, and not according to the jus talionis, Pro 24:29; they ought not only, by requiting good with evil (Pro 16:13; Psa 7:5, Psa 35:12), not to transgress this law of requital, but they ought to surpass it, by also recompensing not evil with evil (vid., regarding שׁלּם, and synon. to Pro 17:13); and that is what the proverb means, for 22b supposes injustice suffered, which might stir up a spirit of revenge. It does not, however, say that men ought to commit the taking of vengeance to God; but, in the sense of Rom 12:17-19; Pe1 3:9, that, renouncing all dependence on self, they ought to commit their deliverance out of the distress into which they have fallen, and their vindication, into the hands of God; for the promise is not that He will avenge them, but that He will help them. The jussive וישׁע (write וישׁע, according to Metheg-setzung, 42, with Gaja as העמדה, with the ע to secure distinct utterance to the final guttural) states as a consequence, like, e.g., Kg2 5:10, what will then happen (Jerome, Luther, Hitzig) if one lets God rule (Gesen. 128, 2c); equally possible, syntactically, is the rendering: that He may help thee (lxx, Ewald); but, regarded as a promise, the words are more in accordance with the spirit of the proverb, and they round it off more expressively.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Compare Psa 27:14; Rom 12:17-19).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Say not thou, I will recompense evil,.... With evil; do an injury to one that has done one to you; private revenge is not to be taken, but should be left to God, to whom vengeance belongs, Deu 32:35; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee; commit thyself and cause to God; leave it with him to avenge thy wrongs; wait upon him in the way of thy duty, and wait his own time to do thee justice; he will at the proper season, and in his own way, save thee from thine enemy, and make a righteous retribution to him.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Those that live in this world must expect to have injuries done them, affronts given them, and trouble wrongfully created them, for we dwell among briers. Now here we are told what to do when we have wrong done us. 1. We must not avenge ourselves, no, nor so much as think of revenge, or design it: "Say not thou, no, not in thy heart, I will recompense evil for evil. Do not please thyself with the thought that some time or other thou shalt have an opportunity of being quits with him. Do not wish revenge, or hope for it, much less resolve upon it, no, not when the injury is fresh and the resentment of it most deep. Never say that thou wilt do a think which thou canst not in faith pray to God to assist thee in, and that thou canst not do in mediating revenge." 2. We must refer ourselves to God, and leave it to him to plead our cause, to maintain our right, and reckon with those that do us wrong in such a way and manner as he thinks fit and in his own due time: "Wait on the Lord, and attend his pleasure, acquiesce in his will, and he does not say that he will punish him that has injured thee (instead of desiring that thou must forgive him and pray for him), but he will save thee, and that is enough. He will protect thee, so that thy passing by one injury shall not (as is commonly feared) expose thee to another; nay, he will recompense good to thee, to balance thy trouble and encourage thy patience," as David hoped, when Shimei cursed him, Sa2 16:12.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
20:22 See also Rom 12:17-21.