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Proverbs 26:4
Verse
Context
Sermons
Zac Poonen
Jack HibbsSummary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
4 Answer not the fool according to his folly, Lest thou thyself also become like unto him. After, or according to his folly, is here equivalent to recognising the foolish supposition and the foolish object of his question, and thereupon considering it, as if, e.g., he asked why the ignorant man was happier than the man who had much knowledge, or how one may acquire the art of making gold; for "a fool can ask more than ten wise men can answer." He who recognises such questions as justifiable, and thus sanctions them, places himself on an equality with the fool, and easily himself becomes one. The proverb that follows affirms apparently the direct contrary:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Answer not--that is, approvingly by like folly.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Answer not a fool according to his folly,.... Sometimes a fool, or wicked man, is not to be answered at all; as the ministers of Hezekiah answered not a word to Rabshakeh; nor Jeremiah the prophet to Hananiah; nor Christ to the Scribes and Pharisees; and when an answer is returned, it should not be in his foolish way and manner, rendering evil for evil, and railing for railing, in the same virulent, lying, calumniating, and reproachful language; lest thou also be like unto him; lest thou also, who art a man of understanding and sense, and hast passed for one among men, come under the same imputation, and be reckoned a fool like him.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
See here the noble security of the scripture-style, which seems to contradict itself, but really does not. Wise men have need to be directed how to deal with fools; and they have never more need of wisdom than in dealing with such, to know when to keep silence and when to speak, for there may be a time for both. 1. In some cases a wise man will not set his wit to that of a fool so far as to answer him according to his folly "If he boast of himself, do not answer him by boasting of thyself. If he rail and talk passionately, do not thou rail and talk passionately too. If he tell one great lie, do not thou tell another to match it. If he calumniate thy friends, do not thou calumniate his. If he banter, do not answer him in his own language, lest thou be like him, even thou, who knowest better things, who hast more sense, and hast been better taught." 2. Yet, in other cases, a wise man will use his wisdom for the conviction of a fool, when, by taking notice of what he says, there may be hopes of doing good, or at least preventing further, mischief, either to himself or others. "If thou have reason to think that thy silence will be deemed an evidence of the weakness of thy cause, or of thy own weakness, in such a case answer him, and let it be an answer ad hominem - to the man, beat him at his own weapons, and that will be an answer ad rem - to the point, or as good as one. If he offer any thing that looks like an argument, an answer that, and suit thy answer to his case. If he think, because thou dost not answer him, that what he says is unanswerable, then give him an answer, lest he be wise in his own conceit and boast of a victory." For (Luk 7:35) Wisdom's children must justify her.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
26:4-5 Proverbs are often context sensitive. Whether or not to answer the foolish arguments of fools depends on what kind of fool and what kind of situation.
Proverbs 26:4
Similitudes and Instructions
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! 4Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Proverbs) ch.10:12 - 11:12
By Zac Poonen1.4K1:00:56PRO 10:26PRO 25:13PRO 26:4In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that riches will not help anyone on judgment day, only righteousness will matter. It is not about Bible knowledge or religious activities, but about living a righteous life. The speaker also highlights that God disciplines us through various circumstances to help us gain wisdom and understanding. Additionally, the sermon emphasizes the importance of controlling one's tongue and not being lazy, as these are marks of a wise person. The overall message is that true value lies in righteousness and wisdom, not in wealth or poverty.
The Discipline of Disdain - 23
By Jack Hibbs91059:04Discipline1SA 17:40PRO 16:32PRO 26:4ISA 40:31MAT 28:18JAS 1:19In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of listening and being slow to speak and anger. He highlights the need to trust in God during times of shaking and suffering. The sermon also discusses the significance of faith and how it is strengthened through hearing the word of God. The speaker references the story of David and Goliath to illustrate the idea that although there may be defeats and setbacks in life, the ultimate victory has already been decided in our favor.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
4 Answer not the fool according to his folly, Lest thou thyself also become like unto him. After, or according to his folly, is here equivalent to recognising the foolish supposition and the foolish object of his question, and thereupon considering it, as if, e.g., he asked why the ignorant man was happier than the man who had much knowledge, or how one may acquire the art of making gold; for "a fool can ask more than ten wise men can answer." He who recognises such questions as justifiable, and thus sanctions them, places himself on an equality with the fool, and easily himself becomes one. The proverb that follows affirms apparently the direct contrary:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Answer not--that is, approvingly by like folly.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Answer not a fool according to his folly,.... Sometimes a fool, or wicked man, is not to be answered at all; as the ministers of Hezekiah answered not a word to Rabshakeh; nor Jeremiah the prophet to Hananiah; nor Christ to the Scribes and Pharisees; and when an answer is returned, it should not be in his foolish way and manner, rendering evil for evil, and railing for railing, in the same virulent, lying, calumniating, and reproachful language; lest thou also be like unto him; lest thou also, who art a man of understanding and sense, and hast passed for one among men, come under the same imputation, and be reckoned a fool like him.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
See here the noble security of the scripture-style, which seems to contradict itself, but really does not. Wise men have need to be directed how to deal with fools; and they have never more need of wisdom than in dealing with such, to know when to keep silence and when to speak, for there may be a time for both. 1. In some cases a wise man will not set his wit to that of a fool so far as to answer him according to his folly "If he boast of himself, do not answer him by boasting of thyself. If he rail and talk passionately, do not thou rail and talk passionately too. If he tell one great lie, do not thou tell another to match it. If he calumniate thy friends, do not thou calumniate his. If he banter, do not answer him in his own language, lest thou be like him, even thou, who knowest better things, who hast more sense, and hast been better taught." 2. Yet, in other cases, a wise man will use his wisdom for the conviction of a fool, when, by taking notice of what he says, there may be hopes of doing good, or at least preventing further, mischief, either to himself or others. "If thou have reason to think that thy silence will be deemed an evidence of the weakness of thy cause, or of thy own weakness, in such a case answer him, and let it be an answer ad hominem - to the man, beat him at his own weapons, and that will be an answer ad rem - to the point, or as good as one. If he offer any thing that looks like an argument, an answer that, and suit thy answer to his case. If he think, because thou dost not answer him, that what he says is unanswerable, then give him an answer, lest he be wise in his own conceit and boast of a victory." For (Luk 7:35) Wisdom's children must justify her.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
26:4-5 Proverbs are often context sensitive. Whether or not to answer the foolish arguments of fools depends on what kind of fool and what kind of situation.