- Home
- Bible
- Proverbs
- Chapter 22
- Verse 22
Proverbs 22:13
Verse
Context
Sermons
C.H. Spurgeon
Jack Hyles
Chuck SmithChuck SmithSummary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
13 The sluggard saith, "A lion is without, I shall be slain in the midst of the streets." Otherwise rendered, Pro 26:13. There, as here, the perf. אמר has the meaning of an abstract present, Gesen. 126. 3. The activity of the industrious has its nearest sphere at home; but here a work is supposed which requires him to go forth (Psa 104:3) into the field (Pro 24:27). Therefore חוּץ stands first, a word of wide signification, which here denotes the open country outside the city, where the sluggard fears to meet a lion, as in the streets, i.e., the rows of houses forming them, to meet a רצח (מרצּח), i.e., a murder from motives of robbery of revenge. This strong word, properly to destroy, crush, Arab. raḍkh, is intentionally chosen: there is designed to be set forth the ridiculous hyperbolical pretence which the sluggard seeks for his slothfulness (Fleischer). Luther right well: "I might be murdered on the streets." But there is intentionally the absence of אוּלי [perhaps] and of פּן [lest]. Meri here quotes a passage of the moralists: ממופתי העצל הנבואה (prophesying) belongs to the evidences of the sluggard; and Euchel, the proverb העצלים מתנבאים (the sluggard's prophecy), i.e., the sluggard acts like a prophet, that he may palliate his slothfulness.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Frivolous excuses satisfy the indolent man's conscience.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The slothful man saith, there is a lion without,.... Or, "in the street". This he says within himself; or to those who call out to him, and put him on doing the business of his proper calling, whether in the field or elsewhere, which, through his slothfulness, he has a disinclination to; and therefore frames excuses, and suggests this and that difficulty or danger in the way, expressed by a "lion without"; and which shows the folly and weakness of his excuses, since lions do not usually walk in cities, towns, and villages, and in the streets of them, but in woods and mountains; I shall be slain in the streets; by the lion there; or I shall never be able to get over the difficulties, and through the dangers, which attending to business will expose me to. Some apply this to the difficulties that slothful persons imagine in the learning of languages, arts, and sciences; as Jarchi applies it to the learning of the law.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Note, 1. Those that have no love for their business will never want excuses to shake it off. Multitudes are ruined, both for soul and body, by their slothfulness, and yet still they have something or other to say for themselves, so ingenious are men in putting a cheat upon their own souls. And who, I pray, will be the gainer at last, when the pretences will be all rejected as vain and frivolous? 2. Many frighten themselves from real duties by imaginary difficulties: The slothful man has work to do without in the fields, but he fancies there is a lion there; nay, he pretends he dares not go along the streets for fear somebody or other should meet him and kill him. He does not himself think so; he only says so to those that call him up. He talks of a lion without, but considers not his real danger from the devil, that roaring lion, which is in bed with him, and from his own slothfulness, which kills him.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
22:13 Of the many proverbs on laziness (10:4-6, 26; 12:11; 13:4; 14:4; 15:19; 18:9; 19:15, 24; 20:4, 13; 21:25; 26:13), this is among the funniest. Lazy people will come up with any outlandish excuse for not working.
Proverbs 22:13
A Good Name
12The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless. 13The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
One Lion; Two Lions; No Lion at All
By C.H. Spurgeon1.9K42:00Overcoming ExcusesSlothfulnessPRO 22:13ECC 9:10MAT 11:28ROM 12:111CO 15:58PHP 4:13COL 3:232TH 3:10HEB 12:1JAS 4:17C.H. Spurgeon addresses the issue of slothfulness, using the metaphor of lions to illustrate the excuses people make to avoid taking action, particularly in their spiritual lives. He emphasizes that the slothful man creates imaginary fears, such as lions in the streets, to justify his laziness and procrastination in coming to Christ. Spurgeon warns that delaying one's commitment to God only leads to more difficulties, as the 'lions' multiply with time. Ultimately, he encourages listeners to recognize that there are no real obstacles preventing them from seeking salvation, urging them to act decisively and trust in God's grace.
There's a Lion in the Streets
By Jack Hyles1.0K52:23SatanGEN 22:13PRO 22:13PRO 26:13ISA 31:4MAT 6:33JAS 4:15JAS 4:17In this sermon, the speaker shares personal anecdotes and encourages listeners to overcome obstacles in their spiritual journey. He emphasizes the importance of taking action and not waiting for the perfect conditions to follow God's calling. The speaker also references a verse from Proverbs about the lazy man who uses the excuse of a lion in the street to avoid taking a journey. He concludes by affirming that a spirit-filled child of God can overcome any obstacle, including the metaphorical lions in their path.
Proverbs 22:20
By Chuck Smith0Overcoming ExcusesSpiritual AmbitionPRO 22:13LUK 15:11Chuck Smith emphasizes the tendency of individuals to make excuses for not pursuing their ambitions in Christ, likening these excuses to 'lions in the way' that deter us from our spiritual journey. He points out that many start with high aspirations but often fall short due to fear of challenges and a lack of commitment. Smith encourages believers to confront their imagined difficulties and take initiative in their spiritual growth, rather than relying on external instruction. He illustrates this with the example of the young prodigal, who faced challenges stemming from his own choices. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a proactive approach to overcoming obstacles in our faith.
Proverbs 22:13
By Chuck Smith0Faith and Trust in GodOvercoming ExcusesPRO 22:13ISA 41:10MAT 6:33JHN 14:1ROM 8:311CO 10:13PHP 4:132TI 1:7HEB 12:11PE 5:7Chuck Smith discusses the excuses made by the lazy man, likening them to imaginary lions that prevent individuals from pursuing a higher life in Christ. He emphasizes that these lions, representing fear, unbelief, and comfort, hinder people from taking risks and making sacrifices for their faith. Smith encourages listeners to confront these obstacles and trust in God's ability to sustain them, rather than allowing fear to dictate their choices. Ultimately, he calls for a commitment to a life of faith, despite the challenges that may arise.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
13 The sluggard saith, "A lion is without, I shall be slain in the midst of the streets." Otherwise rendered, Pro 26:13. There, as here, the perf. אמר has the meaning of an abstract present, Gesen. 126. 3. The activity of the industrious has its nearest sphere at home; but here a work is supposed which requires him to go forth (Psa 104:3) into the field (Pro 24:27). Therefore חוּץ stands first, a word of wide signification, which here denotes the open country outside the city, where the sluggard fears to meet a lion, as in the streets, i.e., the rows of houses forming them, to meet a רצח (מרצּח), i.e., a murder from motives of robbery of revenge. This strong word, properly to destroy, crush, Arab. raḍkh, is intentionally chosen: there is designed to be set forth the ridiculous hyperbolical pretence which the sluggard seeks for his slothfulness (Fleischer). Luther right well: "I might be murdered on the streets." But there is intentionally the absence of אוּלי [perhaps] and of פּן [lest]. Meri here quotes a passage of the moralists: ממופתי העצל הנבואה (prophesying) belongs to the evidences of the sluggard; and Euchel, the proverb העצלים מתנבאים (the sluggard's prophecy), i.e., the sluggard acts like a prophet, that he may palliate his slothfulness.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Frivolous excuses satisfy the indolent man's conscience.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The slothful man saith, there is a lion without,.... Or, "in the street". This he says within himself; or to those who call out to him, and put him on doing the business of his proper calling, whether in the field or elsewhere, which, through his slothfulness, he has a disinclination to; and therefore frames excuses, and suggests this and that difficulty or danger in the way, expressed by a "lion without"; and which shows the folly and weakness of his excuses, since lions do not usually walk in cities, towns, and villages, and in the streets of them, but in woods and mountains; I shall be slain in the streets; by the lion there; or I shall never be able to get over the difficulties, and through the dangers, which attending to business will expose me to. Some apply this to the difficulties that slothful persons imagine in the learning of languages, arts, and sciences; as Jarchi applies it to the learning of the law.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Note, 1. Those that have no love for their business will never want excuses to shake it off. Multitudes are ruined, both for soul and body, by their slothfulness, and yet still they have something or other to say for themselves, so ingenious are men in putting a cheat upon their own souls. And who, I pray, will be the gainer at last, when the pretences will be all rejected as vain and frivolous? 2. Many frighten themselves from real duties by imaginary difficulties: The slothful man has work to do without in the fields, but he fancies there is a lion there; nay, he pretends he dares not go along the streets for fear somebody or other should meet him and kill him. He does not himself think so; he only says so to those that call him up. He talks of a lion without, but considers not his real danger from the devil, that roaring lion, which is in bed with him, and from his own slothfulness, which kills him.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
22:13 Of the many proverbs on laziness (10:4-6, 26; 12:11; 13:4; 14:4; 15:19; 18:9; 19:15, 24; 20:4, 13; 21:25; 26:13), this is among the funniest. Lazy people will come up with any outlandish excuse for not working.