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Proverbs 29:20
Verse
Context
Sermons
Theodore EppSummary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
20 Seest thou a man hasty in his words? The fool hath more hope than he. Cf. Pro 26:12. Such an one has blocked up against himself the path to wisdom, which to the fool, i.e., to the ingenuous, stands open; the former is perfect, of the latter something may yet be made. In this passage the contrast is yet more precise, for the fool is thought of as the dull, which is the proper meaning of כּסיל, vid., under Pro 17:24. There is more hope for the fool than for him, although he may be no fool in himself, who overthrows himself by his words. "The προπετὴς ἐν λόγῳ αὐτοῦ (Sir. 9:18) has, in the existing case, already overleaped the thought; the כסיל has it still before him, and comes at length, perhaps with his slow conception, to it" (Hitzig); for the ass, according to the fable, comes at last farther than the greyhound. Hence, in words as well as in acts, the proverb holds good, "Eile mit Weile" [= festina lente]. Every word, as well as act, can only be matured by being thought out, and thought over. From this proverb, which finds its practical application to the affairs of a house, and particularly also to the relation to domestics, the group returns to the subject of instruction, which is its ground-tone.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Compare Pro 21:5). hasty in . . . words?--implying self-conceit (Pro 26:12).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words,.... Swift to speak either before God or men; that takes upon him to speak upon a subject, or return an answer to a question, before he has thoroughly thought of it, and well considered it, and digested what he should say; see Ecc 5:2; or "hasty in matters" (x); in his business; runs rashly and precipitately into things, without duly considering within himself what is right and proper to be done, and without taking the advice of others; there is more hope of a fool than of him; of one that has not the gift of elocution, or not so much sagacity in business, and yet takes time to think, and advises with others. (x) "praecipitem in negotiis suis", Vatablus, Piscator; "in rebus suis", Mercerus.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Solomon here shows that there is little hope of bringing a man to wisdom that is hasty either, 1. Through rashness and inconsideration: Seest thou a man that is hasty in his matters, that is of a light desultory wit, that seems to take a thing quickly, but takes it by the halves, gallops over a book or science, but takes no time to digest it, no time to pause or muse upon a business? There is more hope of making a scholar and a wise man of one that is dull and heavy, and slow in his studies, than of one that has such a mercurial genius and cannot fix. 2. Through pride and conceitedness: Seest thou a man that is forward to speak to every matter that is started, and affects to speak first to it, to open it, and speak last to it, to give judgment upon it, as if he were an oracle? There is more hope of a modest fool, who is sensible of his folly, than of such a self-conceited one.
Proverbs 29:20
The Flourishing of the Righteous
19A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond. 20Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(A Marriage Blessed by God) 1. Build Your Home With Wisdom
By Zac Poonen5.4K1:01:53GEN 39:9PSA 4:4PSA 34:11PRO 8:13PRO 24:3PRO 29:14PRO 29:20EPH 4:26
This sermon emphasizes the importance of building godly marriages and homes by focusing on the fear of the Lord, wisdom, and self-control. It highlights the need to prioritize reverence for God, control over hasty words and actions, and seeking peace in relationships. The speaker draws insights from biblical characters like Joseph and David to illustrate the impact of fearing God in overcoming temptations and building a strong foundation for marriage.
(2006 Conference) 3.controlling Our Tongue
By Zac Poonen4.8K1:00:32PRO 10:19PRO 12:22PRO 15:1PRO 29:20MAT 12:34
This sermon emphasizes the importance of controlling our speech and the balance needed in various areas of our lives. It highlights the dangers of being imbalanced, focusing on small things while neglecting weightier matters like justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The speaker urges listeners to seek God's help in controlling their tongues, avoiding gossip, anger, and lies, and striving to speak gentle words that turn away anger. The message stresses the need for self-reflection, repentance, and seeking the Holy Spirit's power to transform our hearts and speech.
Open Ears-Closed Mouth
By Theodore Epp0Listening to God's WordThe Power of SpeechPRO 10:19PRO 13:2PRO 15:1PRO 29:20ROM 10:17JAS 1:19Theodore Epp emphasizes the importance of being attentive to the Word of God, as true faith arises from hearing and accepting it. He points out the irony that while all creation obeys God's Word, many humans, made in His image, often fail to truly believe and respond to it. Epp warns against being quick to speak in response to criticism, highlighting the wisdom found in Proverbs about the dangers of hasty words and the value of a soft answer. He encourages believers to reflect on their speech and its impact, reminding them that controlling one's mouth is vital for a peaceful life.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
20 Seest thou a man hasty in his words? The fool hath more hope than he. Cf. Pro 26:12. Such an one has blocked up against himself the path to wisdom, which to the fool, i.e., to the ingenuous, stands open; the former is perfect, of the latter something may yet be made. In this passage the contrast is yet more precise, for the fool is thought of as the dull, which is the proper meaning of כּסיל, vid., under Pro 17:24. There is more hope for the fool than for him, although he may be no fool in himself, who overthrows himself by his words. "The προπετὴς ἐν λόγῳ αὐτοῦ (Sir. 9:18) has, in the existing case, already overleaped the thought; the כסיל has it still before him, and comes at length, perhaps with his slow conception, to it" (Hitzig); for the ass, according to the fable, comes at last farther than the greyhound. Hence, in words as well as in acts, the proverb holds good, "Eile mit Weile" [= festina lente]. Every word, as well as act, can only be matured by being thought out, and thought over. From this proverb, which finds its practical application to the affairs of a house, and particularly also to the relation to domestics, the group returns to the subject of instruction, which is its ground-tone.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Compare Pro 21:5). hasty in . . . words?--implying self-conceit (Pro 26:12).
John Gill Bible Commentary
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words,.... Swift to speak either before God or men; that takes upon him to speak upon a subject, or return an answer to a question, before he has thoroughly thought of it, and well considered it, and digested what he should say; see Ecc 5:2; or "hasty in matters" (x); in his business; runs rashly and precipitately into things, without duly considering within himself what is right and proper to be done, and without taking the advice of others; there is more hope of a fool than of him; of one that has not the gift of elocution, or not so much sagacity in business, and yet takes time to think, and advises with others. (x) "praecipitem in negotiis suis", Vatablus, Piscator; "in rebus suis", Mercerus.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Solomon here shows that there is little hope of bringing a man to wisdom that is hasty either, 1. Through rashness and inconsideration: Seest thou a man that is hasty in his matters, that is of a light desultory wit, that seems to take a thing quickly, but takes it by the halves, gallops over a book or science, but takes no time to digest it, no time to pause or muse upon a business? There is more hope of making a scholar and a wise man of one that is dull and heavy, and slow in his studies, than of one that has such a mercurial genius and cannot fix. 2. Through pride and conceitedness: Seest thou a man that is forward to speak to every matter that is started, and affects to speak first to it, to open it, and speak last to it, to give judgment upon it, as if he were an oracle? There is more hope of a modest fool, who is sensible of his folly, than of such a self-conceited one.