Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 14:2
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him.
2. The proverb maintains the intimate relation between piety and probity.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Pro 14:2
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord.
Human conduct
I. Men differ widely in their daily conduct.
1. Some men walk uprightly. Walking uprightly implies–
(1) Moral strength. The man is not bent and crooked by the infirmities of sin or the weight of depravity.
(2) Conscious rectitude. He does not bow down his head, as if ashamed to look his neighbour in the face. He is as open as the day, and as fearless as the sun.
2. Some walk perversely. They are perverse in their ways. They are crooked in their purposes, policies, and performances.
II. Men reveal their heart towards God in their daily walk.
1. Right conduct springs from a right feeling towards God. The man that walketh uprightly feareth the Lord. There is no true morality without religion. Piety is the first principle of all rectitude. All good living must have respect to God.
2. Wrong conduct springs from wrong feeling towards God. He that is perverse in his ways, despiseth Him. The wrong doer has no feeling of respect for God. He ignores Him as much as he can. You may know how men feel inwardly toward their Maker by observing how they deal outwardly with each other. (D. Thomas, D.D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
That walketh in his uprightness; whose conversation is sincerely pious and righteous. The design of this proverb and verse is to show that God doth, and men may, judge of mens outward professions and inward dispositions by the common course of their lives.
Despiseth him; plainly declares that he doth not fear God, but despise him, and his commands and threatenings.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. uprightnessis the fruit offearing God, as falsehood and ill-nature (Pro 2:15;Pro 3:32) of despising Him andHis law.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord,…. It is plain that the fear of the Lord is upon the heart and before the eyes of such that walk according to the word of God, with a sincere desire to glorify him; for it is by the fear of the Lord that men depart from evil, and because of that they cannot do what others do; and therefore when a man walks uprightly, and his conversation is in all holiness and godliness, it shows that the fear of God has a place in his heart, which influences his outward behaviour;
but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him; either God himself, whom the upright walker fears; for he that acts perversely, contrary to the law of God, or transgresses that, and goes out of the way, despises God the lawgiver, tramples upon his authority, stretches out his hand, and commits acts of hostility against him; and he that perverts the Gospel of Christ despises his ministers, and despises Christ himself, and him that sent him. Or else the meaning is, that such a perverse walker despises him that fears the Lord; so Aben Ezra interprets it; and such are generally the contempt of wicked men: to this sense is the Vulgate Latin version,
“he that walks in a right way, and fears God, is despised by him that walks in an infamous way;”
but the Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, “is despised”: meaning the perverse man.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2 He walketh in his uprightness who feareth Jahve,
And perverse in his ways is he that despiseth Him.
That which syntactically lies nearest is also that which is intended; the ideas standing in the first place are the predicates. Wherein it shows itself, and whereby it is recognised, that a man fears God, or stands in a relation to Him of indifference instead of one of fear and reverence, shall be declared: the former walketh in his uprightness, i.e., so far as the consciousness of duty which animates him prescribes; the latter in his conduct follows no higher rule than his own lust, which drives him sometimes hither and sometimes thither. .rehtih (cf. , Mic 2:7) is of kindred meaning with , Pro 28:6 ( , Pro 10:9), and , Isa 57:2. The connection of follows the scheme of 2Ki 18:37, and not 2Sa 15:32, Ewald, 288c. If the second word, which particularizes the idea of the first, has the reflexive suff. as here, then the accusative connection, or, as Pro 2:15, the prepositional, is more usual than the genitive. Regarding , flectere, inclinare (a word common to the author of chap. 1-9), vid., at Pro 2:15. With , cf. 1Sa 2:30; the suffix without doubt refers to God, for is the word that stands in parallel contrast to ‘ .
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
Here are, 1. Grace and sin in their true colours. Grace reigning is a reverence of God, and gives honour to him who is infinitely great and high, and to whom all honour is due, than which what is more becoming or should be more pleasing to the rational creature? Sin reigning is no less than a contempt of God. In this, more than in any thing, sin appears exceedingly sinful, that it despises God, whom angels adore. Those that despise God’s precepts, and will not be ruled by them, his promises, and will not accept of them, despise God himself and all his attributes. 2. Grace and sin in their true light. By this we may know a man that has grace, and the fear of God, reigning in him, he walks in his uprightness, he makes conscience of his actions, is faithful both to God and man, and every stop he makes, as well as every step he takes, is by rule; here is one that honours God. But, on the contrary, he that is perverse in his ways, that wilfully follows his own appetites and passions, that is unjust and dishonest and contradicts his profession in his conversation, however he may pretend to devotion, he is a wicked man, and will be reckoned with as a despiser of God himself.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Reverence Or Contempt
Verse 2 declares that true reverence for the LORD is demonstrated by obedience to Him; but he who is willfully disobedient shows contempt for the LORD, Pro 19:1; Pro 28:6; Joh 14:15.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
CRITICAL NOTES.
Pro. 14:2. He that walketh, etc., or, He walketh in his uprightness who feareth Jehovah, and perverse in his ways is he that despiseth Him (Delitzsch).
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro. 14:2
FEARING AND DESPISING THE LORD
I. A wholesome fear. The fear of the Lord. When we fear to grieve or offend a person because of his or her goodness the fear does not spring from dread of their power, but from our high estimate of their character. It may exist where there is no power to injure. Strong men have sometimes had this fear for little children. There is also a fear which may spring from a conception of both goodness and power. It is the feeling which a child has for a good parent. There is a consciousness of the parents goodness, and also a consciousness of his power to enforce his authority. In proportion as these elements are combined in relation to human creatures the fear which men have for them is wholesomeis salutary. Benevolence alone tends to weaken the fearto lessen the reverence. Power alone is likely to produce hatred as well as fear. But when benevolence is linked with power it looks doubly attractive. The fear which a good man has for God arises from a conception of both the Infinite power and the Infinite love of the Divine Father. If the first were wanting it would lack reverence; if the latter it would be a fear that hath torment.
II. The proof that a man possesses this wholesome fear. He walks uprightly. Fear is a feeling of the mind. It can only be proved to exist when it brings forth action. Uprightness of life is an unanswerable proof that a man speaks truly when he says that he fears the Lord. God asks for no greater (Gen. 17:1-2). This demonstration does not consist in a single act of integrity, but in a constant succession of acts, in a habit of life. It is a walk. (On walking uprightly, see on chap. Pro. 10:9-10, page 153).
III. The character of a perverse manof a man whose walk is not upright. He is a despiser of God. His life proves it, even if his words deny it. We despise that to which we do not attach a due value. All men who perversely refuse to accept Gods plan of salvation despise both the riches of His goodness and forbearance, and long-suffering, which are intended to lead them to repentance (Rom. 2:4), and also that power of His anger, of which no man can form an estimate (Psa. 90:11).
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
I. Grace and sin in their true colours. Grace reigning is a reverence of God. Sin reigning is no less a contempt of God; in this, more than in anything, sin appears exceeding sinful, that it despises God, whom angels adore.
II. Grace and sin in their true light. By this we know a man that has grace, and the fear of God, reigning in him, he makes conscience of his actions, is faithful to God and man. But on the contrary, he that wilfully follows his own way, is a wicked man, however he pretend to devotion.Henry.
A man walking over a field has a certain level course (if there be such) that he naturally follows. If he walk not level, or if he turn constantly out of his way, men think him either drunk or mad. It is this reasonable instinct of our nature that our text embodies. We do not say uprightness, but levelness, for it agrees with the idea of walking. Such meaning is, that folly is self-condemned; that if a man would put one foot before another, or mentally move as he himself thinks level and right, he would practically fear God; but that he drops out of his own way, and walks brokenly, and with change of gait. It is careless to define fear as anything beside fear itself. A holy fear, however, is not terror; and yet a being afraid more really and more tremblingly often than the sinner, It is remarkable that when men have escaped wrath they begin most healthily to fear it, and when men are faithless even to their own ways, they despise the most the law of the Almighty. This text, like many another, is pregnant. Pregnant texts are ambidextrous, and the alternative meanings, though distinct, are mutually embracing. Another sense is grammatical and equivalent in thought. It would read His levelness, and His ways, referring to Jehovah. It is only substituting capitals. It would mean, He that walks in Gods level track fears Him; but he that is turned out of Gods way, that is, he that has got out of the line for which he was made, instead of fearing, as he might, chooses that horrid moment for despising God. We would rank this higher than an ambiguity; for Gods ways and mans ways, when they are levelnesses and suited to our step, are the same blessed track, for we are created in the image of God.Miller.
He that walketh so that the sincerity of his heart maketh the uprightness to be his, for a feigned uprightness is of the devil, not a mans own. God is feared where goodness is embraced. And, as St. Basil speaketh, the despising of the laws is the reproach of the lawmaker.Jermin.
Here is consolation to faithful men, though not void of infirmities, against the temptations of Satan, the calumniations of wicked men, and the fears of their own hearts. None are so much accused of contempt against God as those which are most religious. The devil seeketh to persuade them there is nothing in them but fraud. Sinful men, when they can charge against them no misdemeanours or lewdness of life, exclaim that they are hypocrites, and many doubts arise in their own souls by reason of the manifold imperfections of their lives. But are they desirous impartially to keep every commandment, if their power were answerable to their will? Do they endeavour to please God, though they cannot do it perfectly? Then they are upright in their ways, and walk in the law of the Lord; then God testifieth of them here, that they are of the number of them that fear Him, and elsewhere He testifieth that all those who fear Him they are blessed.Dod.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(2) He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord.Rather, He who fears the Lord walketh in his uprightness. (Comp. Joh. 14:21.) And likewise, he that despiseth Him is perverse in his ways. The fear of God and its absence are clearly seen in the outward conduct.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. Walketh in his uprightness Levelness, straightness.
Feareth the Lord As a general thing, there is no better evidence of true piety than rightness of conduct. The converse of the above proposition is also true: He that feareth the Lord walketh uprightly. True piety and sound morality go together. They are both essential to Christianity. False religions separate morality and the worship of the Deity. Worshippers of false gods are frequently very scandalous in their lives; nor does it strike them as incongruous.
Despiseth him By not paying him suitable respect. The wicked, perverse, or immoral man, is a despiser of God; he treats the authority and majesty of God with contempt. Comp. Psa 10:13; Luk 10:16.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The One Who Fears YHWH Walks In Uprightness, Is Preserved By What He Says, Enjoys Prosperity, Is A True Witness And Easily Comes To Understanding ( Pro 14:2-6 ).
The one who fears YHWH walks in uprightness (Pro 14:2); speaks in such a way that his lips and words preserve him (Pro 14:3); takes full advantage of the strength of the ox which is God’s gift to man in order to enjoy abundant harvest (Pro 14:4); speaks truthfully and is a reliable witness (Pro 14:5); and through the understanding that God has given him, easily comes to true knowledge (Pro 14:6).
In contrast the one who despises YHWH is perverse (crooked) in his ways (Pro 14:2); speaks in foolish pride which will rebound on him (Pro 14:3); is sluggardly in his ways (Pro 14:4 a); is untruthful in his speech (Pro 14:5); and while seeking true wisdom is unable to find it, because it is only found in God (Pro 14:6).
The subsection is presented chiastically:
A He who fears YHWH walks in his uprightness, but he who despises him is perverse in his ways (Pro 14:2).
B In the mouth of the foolish is a rod (or ‘branch’) of pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve them (Pro 14:3).
C Where no oxen are, the manger is clean (Pro 14:4 a)
C But much increase is by the strength of the ox (Pro 14:4 b)
B A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness utters lies (Pro 14:5)
A A scorner seeks wisdom, and does not find, but knowledge is easy to him who has understanding (Pro 14:6).
Note that in A we have the one who fears YHWH, (which is the beginning of knowledge (Pro 1:7)), compared with the one who despises YHWH, and in the parallel the one who has understanding and finds knowledge is compared with the one who is cynical and fails to find such knowledge. In B the foolish betray themselves by their mouths, whilst the wise by their lips preserve themselves, and in the parallel the false witness utters lies, while the faithful witness does not lie (and thus preserves himself from repercussions). Centrally in C the foolish avoid having oxen, and thus have an empty, and therefore clean, manger, (on which being foolish they probably congratulate themselves), whilst the wise have a strong ox, (have to clean out their mangers), and thus enjoy good harvests.
Pro 14:2
‘He who fears YHWH walks in his uprightness,
But he who despises him is perverse in his ways.’
The fear of YHWH is a central feature of Proverbs. Among other things it is ‘the beginning (or first principle) of knowledge’ (Pro 1:7). Those who fear YHWH find the knowledge of God (Pro 2:5) and receive from Him knowledge and understanding (Pro 2:6). That is why they walk in uprightness (straightness). Their way is true and right. They walk in the way of righteousness (Pro 8:20; Pro 12:28). And because the fear of YHWH has given them understanding, true knowledge (the knowledge of YHWH) comes easily to them (Pro 14:6).
In contrast the one who despises YHWH and does not fear Him is crooked (‘turns aside’) in his ways. He does not walk in the way of righteousness, which includes obedience to YHWH. Instead he walks in many ways unable to find the right way. As a despiser of YHWH and a scorner he seeks wisdom but does not find it (Pro 14:6).
Pro 14:3
‘In the mouth of the foolish is a rod (or ‘branch’) of pride,
But the lips of the wise will preserve them.’
This could mean that as a consequence of his being perverse in his ways his tongue (the rod in his mouth) is proud and speaks arrogantly, and even falsely (Pro 14:5), eventually bringing repercussions on himself. He beats himself with his own rod (tongue). Alternately his tongue can be seen as a ‘flourishing branch’ (compare Isa 11:1 for the use of the word) which is full of pride and causes pride in others. The proud look and the lying tongue are two of the abominations which God hates (Pro 6:17).
In contrast the lips of the wise preserve them. They do not bring repercussions on themselves by what they say (compare Pro 11:12; Pro 12:6; Pro 13:3). They speak carefully and thoughtfully (Pro 10:13; Pro 10:32). Nor do they perjure themselves (Pro 14:5) bringing on themselves the wrath of the law. Thus they preserve themselves rather than bringing a rod on themselves.
The word for ‘rod’ only occurs here and in Isa 11:1 (where it means ‘shoot, branch’), but in Aramaic it indicates a rod for punishment.
Pro 14:4
‘Where no oxen are, the crib is clean,
But much increase is by the strength of the ox.’
Note that the person in question has a manger for feeding animals. Why then does he not have an ox? It may be that because of his folly he cannot afford an ox, or has had to dispense with it. Or it may be that he does not want to do the work which having an ox would involve. Nor does he want to have to clean the manger. Either way his folly does result in a clean manger, but it also results in no harvest. As a sluggard he has avoided work and will find himself in poverty (Pro 6:6-11; Pro 10:4-5). As he lies in bed slumbering he may even pride himself on not having to clean the manger like others have to. But not only is his manger clean, so is his grain store, and so is his larder. He is left without a means of survival. This is what his perverse ways have led him to (Pro 14:2).
In contrast is the wise man. He has an ox and gathers in an abundant harvest. The ox enables him to multiply the effect of his labours. He obtains ‘much increase’ due to the oxen’s strength. His manger may be dirty, and need cleaning, but his reward is a multiplicity of grain. And the provision of the ox is one of God’s mercies to man. Without the ox man’s toil would be almost unbearable. It is a gift of God.
The whole proverb is a reminder of the fact that if we want our lives to count for anything we must allow them to be disturbed. We must be prepared for interference in our cosy lives if we are to serve our God. If we are not prepared to sacrifice our cosiness, we will never achieve great things, for the things that matter most make great demands upon us. We can compare the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, ‘he who would save his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for My sake and the Gospel’s, the same will save it’ (Mar 8:35). The cross is uncomfortable, but it is essential for those who would experience life.
Pro 14:5
‘A faithful witness will not lie,
But a false witness utters lies.’
The faithful and true witness does not lie. He is a wise and righteous man. He tells the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Thus he walks with a satisfied conscience, and without fear of repercussions. He walks uprightly (Pro 14:2). He preserves himself with his mouth (Pro 14:3). If he testifies in court his witness can be relied on. If he declares something in his community he is believed. Even his enemies believe him. His ‘yes’ is ‘yes, and his ‘no’ is ‘no’, for whatever is more than this is of evil (Mat 5:37).
In contrast the false witness does lie. He does it because he despises YHWH and His commandments (Pro 14:2), and in essence despises justice, as a consequence he comes under the condemnation of both God and man.
Pro 14:6
‘A scorner seeks wisdom, and does not find,
But knowledge is easy to him who has understanding.’
In Pro 14:2 the one who despised YHWH was perverse in his ways. This would often result in false pride (Pro 14:3), failure to take advantage of his resources (Pro 14:4), and lying in court (Pro 14:5). Now we learn that the scorner seeks wisdom and cannot find it. But why can he not find it? It is because he does not look to God. He despises the fear of YHWH (Pro 14:2). Thus his search for true wisdom is in vain. He may be worldly wise, he may have great earthly knowledge, but he fails to find true wisdom, which is why he behaves as he does.
In contrast is the one who has understanding. He has no difficulty in finding wisdom because he submits to the fear of YHWH (Pro 14:2). He seeks the knowledge of God in the right way (Pro 2:5). And because God reveals to him His wisdom (Pro 2:6) and gives to him understanding (Pro 2:9-11) he finds knowledge easily.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
v. 2. He that walketh In his uprightness feareth the Lord,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Pro 14:2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him.
Ver. 2. He that walketh in his uprightness, feareth the Lord. ] He is “in the fear of the Lord all day long”; Pro 23:17 he walketh “in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost.” Act 9:31 “The fear of the Lord is upon him,” so that he “takes heed and does it”; 2Ch 19:7 for he knows “it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him.” Ecc 8:12 God’s “covenant was with Levi of life and peace, for the fear wherewith he feared God, and was afraid before his name.” Hence “the law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with God in peace and equity, and did turn many from iniquity.” Mal 2:5-6 He that truly fears God, is like unto Cato, of whom it is said, that he was homo virluti simillimus, and that he never did well that he might appear to do so, sed quia aliter facere non potuit, but because he could not do otherwise.
But he that is perverse in his ways, despiseth him.
a tortuose incedens.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
his ways. It may mean Jehovah’s ways: i.e. he who turns out of His ways becomes an apostate, like the “strange” woman.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 14:2
Pro 14:2
“He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.”
This reveals the true reason for all unbelief and anti-religious activity in the whole world. And why is this? “Men have loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil!” (Joh 3:19). “Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord; but, one who is devious in conduct despises him. This explodes the satanic lie that `intellectual ability,’ or `higher education,’ or any other desirable thing, causes infidelity. It is now and has never been anything else except corrupt and reprobate conduct.
Pro 14:2. This verse deals with two classes of men just as Pro 14:1 did with two classes of women. What a wonderful life results for both and for their offspring when he that walketh in his uprightness (this verse) marries the wise woman (Pro 14:1)! When people properly fear God, they keep his commandments (Ecc 12:13); when people dont fear God, evil results (Rom 3:15-18; Gen 20:11). Jehovah is the antecedent of him in the second statement. Those who are perverse in their ways pay no attention to God, and the world is full of them.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
feareth
(See Scofield “Psa 19:9”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
that walketh: Pro 16:17, Pro 28:6, 1Ki 3:6, Job 1:1, Job 28:28, Psa 25:21, Psa 112:1, Ecc 12:13, Mal 2:5, Mal 2:6, Act 9:31, Act 10:22, Act 10:35
but: Pro 11:12, Job 12:4, Psa 123:3, Psa 123:4, Luk 10:16, Luk 16:14, Rom 2:4, Rom 2:5, 2Ti 3:2, 2Ti 3:3
Reciprocal: Num 22:32 – before me Job 2:3 – an upright Pro 20:7 – just Mic 2:7 – walketh
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pro 14:2. He that walketh in his uprightness Whose conversation is sincerely godly and righteous; feareth the Lord Hath a due regard and reverence for the Lord, from which all true piety and virtue flow; but he that is perverse in his ways That cares not what he does, so he may but satisfy his own lusts and passions; despiseth him Plainly declares that he does not fear him, but lives in a profane contempt of him, and of his commands and threatenings, which is the very source of all wickedness.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
14:2 He that walketh in his {b} uprightness feareth the LORD: but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him.
(b) That is, in uprightness of heart, and without hypocrisy.