Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 15:16
Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
This proverb has its completion in the teaching of Mat 6:33.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 16. Better is little with the fear of the Lord] Because where the fear of God is, there are moderation and contentment of spirit.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The fear of the Lord, which gives a man tranquillity and comfort in what he hath.
Trouble; tumultuous lusts and passions, vexatious cares and fears, horrors of conscience, and expectation of Gods curse and judgment, which riches gotten without Gods fear do commonly produce.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16. troubleagitation,implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held byworldlings (Pro 16:18; 1Ti 6:6).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Better [is] little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith. Not that a “little” is better than “much” of that which is good, as the things of this world are in themselves; poverty is not better than riches, simply considered; but as these are attended with different circumstances: if a man has but little of worldly substance, yet if he has “the fear of God” in his heart, and before his eyes; that fear which has God for its author and for its object, and which is itself a treasure; and may be here put for all grace, for the riches of grace saints are partakers of; such a man’s little is better than another man’s abundance without the fear of the Lord, as the Septuagint and Arabic versions render it: for such a man, though he has but little, which is the common portion of good men, yet he does not lack; be has enough, and is content; what he has he has with a blessing, and he enjoys it, and God in it, and has communion with him; and has also other bread to eat, the world knows nothing of: and particularly having the fear of God, the eve of God is upon him with pleasure; his heart is towards him, and sympathizes with him in all his troubles; his hand communicates unto him both temporal and spiritual meat, which is given to them that fear the Lord; his angels encamp about him, his power protects him; his secrets are with him, and inconceivable and inexpressible goodness is laid up for him: wherefore he is better off with his little, having the fear of God, than another with his great abundance and affluence, being destitute of it: and besides, having a great deal of “trouble” along with his treasure; trouble in amassing and getting it together; trouble in keeping it from being lost, or taken away by thieves and, robbers, for fear of which he cannot sleep; trouble through an insatiable desire of having more; he has no rest nor peace because he has not so much as he would have, or others have. Besides, he has what he has with curse; God sends upon him cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all he sets his hand to, De 28:2; where the same word is used as here: and he has it also with the cry of the poor; so some render the word, “a noise” or “tumult” g; and interpret it of the cries and tears of those that are oppressed and injured; so Jarchi and Gersom; or, “with terror” h, as some render it; with the terrors of a guilty conscience, with the fear of hell and everlasting damnation. Better have a little with a good conscience, than ever so much attended with such circumstances; it is not any man’s little, but the good man’s little, that is preferable to the wicked man’s much; see Ps 37:16.
g “tumultus”, Tigurine version, Montanus, Vatablus; “strepitus”, Mercerus. h “Terror”, Aben Ezra.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Solomon had said in the foregoing verse that he who has not a large estate, or a great income, but a cheerful spirit, has a continual feast; Christian contentment, and joy in God, make the life easy and pleasant; now here he tells us what is necessary to that cheerfulness of spirit which will furnish a man with a continual feast, though he has but little in the world–holiness and love.
I. Holiness. A little, if we manage it and enjoy it in the fear of the Lord, if we keep a good conscience and go on in the way of duty, and serve God faithfully with the little we have, will be more comfortable, and turn to a better account, than great treasure and trouble therewith. Observe here, 1. It is often the lot of those that fear God to have but a little of this world. The poor receive the gospel, and poor they still are, Jam. ii. 5. 2. Those that have great treasure have often great trouble therewith; it is so far from making them easy that it increases their care and hurry. The abundance of the rich will not suffer them to sleep. 3. If great treasure bring trouble with it, it is for want of the fear of God. If those that have great estates would do their duty with them, and then trust God with them, their treasure would not have so much trouble attending it. 4. It is therefore far better, and more desirable, to have but a little of the world and to have it with a good conscience, to keep up communion with God, and enjoy him in it, and live by faith, than to have the greatest plenty and live without God in the world.
II. Love. Next to the fear of God, peace with all men is necessary to the comfort of this life. 1. If brethren dwell together in unity, if they are friendly, and hearty, and pleasant, both in their daily meals and in more solemn entertainments, that will make a dinner of herbs a feast sufficient; though the fare be coarse, and the estate so small that they can afford no better, yet love will sweeten it and they may be as merry over it as if they had all dainties. 2. If there be mutual enmity and strife, though there be a whole ox for dinner, a fat ox, there can be no comfort in it; the leaven of malice, of hating and being hated, is enough to sour it all. Some refer it to him that makes the entertainment; better have a slender dinner and be heartily welcome than a table richly spread with a grudging evil eye.
| Cum torvo vultu mihi conula nulla placebit, Cum placido vultu conula ulla placet. The most sumptuous entertainment, presented with a sullen brow, would offend me; while the plainest repast, presented kindly, would delight me. |
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Little Better Than Great Treasure
Verse 16 suggests that little with a right relationship with the LORD who promises to supply all need is better than great wealth accompanied by worry, Pro 16:8; Ecc 4:6; 1Ti 6:9; Psa 37:16; Php_4:19; 1Ti 6:6.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro. 15:16
A TREASURE WITHOUT TROUBLE
The fear of the Lord is better than worldly treasureI. Because the fear of the Lord tends to peace of mind. In any piece of complicated machinery the condition of the internal works is a much more important matter than the ornamenting of the exterior. It is of much more consequence that all within a timepiece should move in harmony than that it should have a golden face or be set with jewels. It is of more importance to a man that all his internal bodily organs should be in perfect health than that he should be possessed of much external beauty. A strong frame, and pure blood, and health of body will minister much more effectually to his comfort than the most comely countenance. And the state of a mans inner life has infinitely more to do with his real happiness than his external circumstances. He who has the fear of the Lord has the foundation-stone of peace within, and he who has that does not need an abundance of that which can only minister to the outer man. A little material wealth will content him who has the rich inheritance of a peaceful and contented spirit. Peace with God and love to man are included in the fear of the Lord, and neither the one nor the other of these good and perfect gifts can be bought with the treasure of this world. The first is the very salt of life without which all else is insipid and insufficient to satisfy the cravings of the human soul, and where the first is there will the second, which is also a great sweetener of poverty(see Pro. 15:17), be found also. II. Because of the trouble that is inseparable from worldly wealth. The treasure of this world has a certain valueit can do much for a man, both intellectually and materially. It can be so used by him as to bring blessings upon himself and others; but it is never unaccompanied by drawbacks.
1. There is trouble in getting it. The bare sufficiency to sustain life may be got without much strain or anxiety; but if a man sets out to make a fortune, he must be content to have many cares and anxietiesmany weary days and sleepless nightsbefore he obtains his object. Those that will be rich cannot avoid much real trouble in carrying out their determination.
2. There is trouble after it is gotten. When men have accumulated great treasure they are not freed from trouble in connection with it. There is the care of retaining it, the desire, and almost the necessity, of increasing it. The more a man has the more he generally desires, and the more he seems to need. New demands are the outcome of a new position, and he who has amassed great treasure rarely contents himself with what he has, but strains every nerve to make the much, more.
3. There is great trouble attendant on its loss. Even if a rich man possesses the higher wealththe fear of the Lordhe is more to be pitied if he loses his worldly wealth than a poor man is. The fall is so much greater, as the height from which he has fallen so far exceeds that from which a poor man can fall the hope of climbing it again is so much fainter, and he is in a more helpless and hopeless condition than his brother, who had but little to lose. But if he is destitute of the real treasure of human existence, then he has trouble without any compensation. He may say with Micah, Ye have taken away my gods and what have I left?
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
The preposition gives choice of meanings. It may be, by the fear of Jehovah, in which case it would mean the little earned by piety: or it may be in the fear of Jehovah; in which case it would mean the little held and got possession of in a devout state; or it may be along with, as the word often means. All the ideas are correct. We choose as our English version, and, of course, for both parts of the sentence; for the expression therewith, has the same familiar preposition, and the same chance of either of the alternative meanings. Better is a Christians shieling, than an impenitent mans palace (chap. Pro. 14:11). And that, not on account of heaven alone, but for the intrinsic joys of piety (see next verse).Miller.
Judas is bursar, and he shuts himself into his pouch; the more he hath, the more he covets. The apostles, that wanted money, are not so having: Judas hath the bag, and yet he must have more, or he will filch it. So impossible is it that these outward things should satisfy the heart of man. Soli habent omnia qui habent habentem omniaThey alone possess all things that possess the possessor of all things. The nature of true content is to fill all the chinks of our desires, as the wax doth the seal. None can do this but God, for (as it is well observed) the world is round, mans heart three cornered: a globe can never fill a triangle, but one part will still be empty; only the blessed Trinity can fill these three corners of a mans heart. The bag never comes alone, but brings with it cares, saith Christ (Mat. 13:22); snares, saith Paul (1Ti. 6:9) It is none of Gods least favours, that wealth comes not trolling in upon us; for many of us, if our estate were better to the world, would be worse to God. The poor labourer hath not time to luxuriate: he trusts to God to bless his endeavours, and so rests content; but the bag commonly makes a man a prodigal man, or a prodigious man; for a covetous man is a monster. It is no argument of Gods favour to be His purse-bearer; no more than it was a sign that Christ loved Judas above the other apostles because he made him His steward: He gave the rest grace, and him the bag; which sped best? The outward things are the scatterings of His mercies, like the gleaning after the vintage: the full crop goes to His children.T. Adams.
Here also we trace the harmony of wisdom, i.e., of the Divine Word, speaking through many different channels, and in different tones. The proverb has its completion in the teaching which bids us seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mat. 6:33), and finds echoes in the maxims of the wise among other nations who have uttered like thoughts.Plumptre.
It is not the great cage that makes the bird sing. It is not the great estate that brings always the inward joythe cordial contentment. The little lark with a wing sees farther than the ox with a bigger eye, but without a wing. Birds use not to sing when they are on the ground, but when got into the air, or on tops of trees. If saints be sad, it is because they are too busy here below. If the bramble bear rule, fire will arise out of it that will consume the cedars; the lean kine will soon eat up the fat, and it shall not be seen by them. It is hard to handle these thorns hard and not to prick ones fingers. Riches, though well got, are but as manna; those that gathered less had no want, and those that gathered more, it was but a trouble and annoyance to them.Trapp.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(16) Trouble.The disquiet (Psa. 39:6) which attends the pursuit and care of riches, in contrast to the peace which they have who love Gods law. (Psa. 119:165.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. Trouble Torment, confusion. It refers to that anxiety, vexation, and solicitude which usually accompany the possession of riches. Piety with little is better than wealth with trouble. Psa 39:6; Mat 6:33.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
v. 16. Better is little with the fear of the Lord,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Pro 15:16 Better [is] little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Ver. 16. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord. ] This is one special consideration that keeps up the good heart in continual comfort. Contented godliness is great riches; Misera est magni custodia census. a Great treasures bring great troubles. It is not the great cage that makes the bird sing. It is not the great estate that brings alway the inward joy, the cordial contentment. The little lark with a wing sees further than the ox with a bigger eye but without a wing. Birds use not to sing when they are on the ground, but when got into the air, or upon the top of trees. If saints be sad, it is because they are too busy here below, and, Martha-like, troubled about many things, with neglect of that one thing necessary. They that will be rich pierce themselves through with many sorrows. If the bramble bear rule, fire will rise out of it that will consume the cedars; the lean kine will soon eat up the fat, and it shall not be seen by them. It is hard to handle these thorns hard and not to prick one’s fingers. Riches, though well got, are but as manna, those that gathered less had no want, and those that gathered more, it was but a trouble and annoyance to them.
a Juvenal.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Better. See note on Pro 8:11. Illustrations: the shepherds (Luk 2:20. Compare Mat 2:3); Paul in prison (Php 1:4, Php 1:11, Php 1:13, Php 1:18; 1Ti 6:6). Contrast Ahab in palace (1Ki 21:4). Jehovah is a substitute for every good thing, but nothing is a substitute for Him.
the fear of the LORD. See note on Pro 1:7.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 15:16
Pro 15:16
“Better is a little with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasures and trouble therewith.”
“The trouble mentioned in the second clause is a reference to the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings. Deane agreed that the trouble here is, “The anxiety attending the pursuit and preservation of wealth. Christ warned us that it is difficult indeed for a rich man to be saved (Mat 19:23); and an apostle tells us that, “They that are minded to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition” (1Ti 6:9). One may wonder why so many try to be rich.
Pro 15:16. Sometimes treasure and trouble go together-are twins (1Ti 6:9-10). It is really better and the part of wisdom to take a lesser-paying job with which God is pleased than to take a big-paying job with which He is not pleased (Mar 8:36). What is great or true gain? See 1Ti 6:6. Other verses with much of the same truth in them are Pro 15:17 of this chapter; Psa 37:16; Pro 16:8; Pro 17:1.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
fear
Also; Pro 14:26, (See Scofield “Psa 19:9”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
little: Pro 16:8, Pro 28:6, Psa 37:16, 1Ti 6:6
great: Pro 10:22, Ecc 2:10, Ecc 2:11, Ecc 2:18-23, Ecc 5:10-12
Reciprocal: Gen 43:2 – General Psa 119:141 – small Pro 12:27 – but Pro 15:6 – the house Pro 19:1 – Better Pro 23:17 – be thou Ecc 4:6 – General Isa 33:6 – fear Luk 12:15 – for
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pro 15:16-17. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord Which gives a man tranquillity and comfort in what he hath; than great treasure and trouble therewith Tumultuous lusts and passions, vexatious cares and fears, horrors of conscience, and expectations of Gods wrath and indignation. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is True friendship and kindness between those that eat together; than a stalled ox and hatred therewith Than the most sumptuous entertainment by him that hates us, or among those that quarrel and contend. Stalled oxen, or oxen fatted in a stall, were looked upon as the highest entertainment in those ancient times. It is remarkable that Homer never sets any other repast than this before his heroes.