Proverbs 4:23

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-27

Wisdom the inner guide (4:1-27)The writer further instructs his ‘sons’ by passing on teaching that his own ‘father’ once gave him. The main point of that teaching was that, more than anything else, he was to get wisdom and insight (4:1-5). The first step in getting wisdom is the desire for it. Once obtained, wisdom will bring into the life of the possessor a new measure of security, honour and beauty (6-9).By living according to God’s wisdom, people will have true freedom, and at the same time... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 4:23

Keep . . . with all diligence. Above all that must be guarded. The preposition M (hebrew character) marks the place or person that keeps: the meaning being, guard the heart as the great citadel, for out of it are the source and outgoings of life. Same word as in verses: Proverbs 6:13 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 4:21 . froward. See notes on Proverbs 2:12 and Proverbs 6:12 , the only other examples of frowardness of mouth. (23-27) Note the Alternation in these verses. Positive.... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 4:23

Proverbs 4:23. Keep thy heart with all diligence— Above all keeping keep thy heart. Schultens. The life and death of the soul proceed from the heart: an upright, clear, enlightened, watchful heart gives life; a heart corrupted, dissipated, without knowledge, without wisdom, brings death: from the heart proceeds all evil. See Matthew 11:18-19. Guard it therefore most carefully; with all kind of diligence, and above all other cares: guard it from evil thoughts and evil desires: for if you have... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 4:23

23. with all diligence—or, "above," or "more than all," custody (compare Margin), all that is kept (compare :-), because the heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects life and character (Matthew 12:35; Matthew 15:19). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Proverbs 4:20-27

8. The importance of persistence 4:20-27The last pericope of this chapter emphasizes the importance of persisting in the good practices that will lead to life. Success usually comes to those who keep concentrating on and perfecting the basics in their work. Our temptation is to leave these when we become adequately proficient and move on to things that we find more interesting and exciting. These verses give the reader a checkup on his or her condition.Advocates of the "prosperity gospel," who... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 4:1-27

Ancestral Wisdom. The Two PathsIn Proverbs 4:1-9 the teacher lays stress on the fact that his instruction is a repetition of his father’s. No teaching was thought valuable save that which was handed down from one generation to another. The best pupil was the one who was ’a cemented cistern which loses not a drop.’ Proverbs 4:10-19 might be called the doctrine of the two paths, the two ways of life. 20-27 enjoin strict attention to instruction and to conduct.7. Lit. ’The beginning of wisdom is,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Proverbs 4:23

(23) Keep thy heart with all diligence.—Rather, above all things that are to be guarded.For out of it are the issues of life.—That is, from it comes life (and also death). From it proceed “all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works,” signs of the life with God within the soul; or, “evil thoughts, murders,” &c. (Matthew 15:19), “the end of which things is death” (Romans 6:21). read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Proverbs 4:1-27

Proverbs 4:5-7 I mean to follow Solomon's directions, 'get learning, get understanding'. I find earlier days are gone by I find that I can have no enjoyment in the world but continual drinking of knowledge. Keats to John Taylor (1818). References. IV. 7. J. T. Bramston, Sermons to Boys, p. 152. A. E. Dunning, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xlviii. 1895, p. 12. U. Thomas, Ibid. vol. liii. 1898, p. 163. IV. 10, 11. W. Arnot, Laws from Heaven for Life on Earth, p. 117. 10-19. A. Maclaren, ... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 4:1-27

CHAPTER 10TWO VOICES IN THE HIGH PLACES OF THE CITYProverbs 9:1-18, Proverbs 20:14 with Proberbs 3, and Proverbs 20:16 with Proverbs 4:1-27AFTER the lengthened contrast between the vicious woman and Wisdom in chapters 7 and 8, the introduction of the book closes with a little picture which is intended to repeat and sum up all that has gone before. It is a peroration, simple, graphic, and beautiful.There is a kind of competition between Wisdom and Folly, between Righteousness and Sin, between... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Proverbs 4:1-27

CHAPTER 4 1. Solomon’s training (Proverbs 4:1-9 ) 2. Hear, O my son: Receive my sayings (Proverbs 4:10-19 ) 3. My son, attend to my words. (Proverbs 4:20-27 ) Proverbs 4:1-9 . This passage shows the early training which Solomon received and he passeth on the instructions. It is said that these verses formed a model for many Puritan homes in England and the Scotland of the covenant. He was the beloved one, his father’s true son. Note the different exhortation, about wisdom: Forget it not;... read more

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