Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 18:17
[He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.
17. in his own cause ] i.e. in pleading, or stating it. You must wait to hear the other side, the “neighbour’s searching out,” if you would come at the truth. Audi alteram partem is the gist of the proverb.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
A protest against another fault in judging. Haste is hardly less evil than corruption. Audi alteram partern should be the rule of every judge.
His neighbor – The other party to the suit searcheth, i. e., scrutinizes and detects him.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Pro 18:17
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just.
The bias on the side of self
This proverb touches human life at many points, and human beings feel it touching them. It accords with common experience. It is true to nature–nature fallen and distorted. It does not apply to humanity in innocence. It has no bearing on the new nature in a converted man. This Scripture reveals a crook in the creature that God made upright. Self-love is the twist in the heart within, and self-interest is the side to which the variation from righteousness steadily tends. A mans interest is touched by the word or deed of another; forthwith he persuades himself that what is against his own wish is also against righteousness, and argues accordingly. He states his own case, but he leans over to one side, and sees every-fixing in a distorted form. His case is both a sin and a blunder. In the statement of your case do you permit a selfish desire for victory to turn your tongue aside from the straight line of truth? There is room for improvement here, and improvement here would tell upon the world. If a man can detect exaggerations on one side and concealments on the other, amounting to untruthfulness in their general effect, it shows that the fear of God was not before the eyes of the witness when he omitted his evidence. To walk with God in the regeneration is the short and sure way to rigid truth in all your intercourse with men. The adversary will find nothing if a greater than he has been there before him. (W. Arnot, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 17. He that is first in his own cause] Any man may, in the first instance, make out a fair tale, because he has the choice of circumstances and arguments. But when the neighbour cometh and searcheth him, he examines all, dissects all, swears and cross-questions every witness, and brings out truth and fact.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He that is first in his own cause, he that first pleadeth his cause,
seemeth just, both to himself and to the judge or court, by his fair pretences.
His neighbour cometh, to contend with him in judgment and to plead his cause,
and searcheth him; examineth the truth and weight of his allegations, and disproveth them, and detecteth his weakness. Or, discovers him; for seeking or searching are oft put for finding, as Pro 17:9,19, and elsewhere.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. One-sided statements are notreliable.
searcheththoroughly(Pro 17:9; Pro 17:19).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just,…. As perhaps Tertullus did, before Paul made his defence; and as Ziba, Mephibosheth’s servant, before his master detected him: this often appears true in telling a tale, in private conversation, in lawsuits before a judge and a court of judicature, and in theological controversies;
but his neighbour cometh, and searcheth him; his neighbour comes into the house, where he is telling his tale, and reports it in another manner, and shows the falsehood of his relation; or he comes into a court of judicature, and sets the cause in quite another light; or he comes out into the worm by public writing, and exposes the errors of a man engaged in a wrong cause, and refutes his arguments. It is generally understood of judicial affairs, that the first that opens a cause is very apt to prejudice the judge and court in his favour, and they are ready to thing at first hearing that he is in the right; but it is not proper to be hasty in forming a judgment till the other side is heard; for his antagonist comes and traverses the point, unravels the whole affair, shows the weakness of his cause, the vanity of his pretences, and makes void all his allegations; and then “he”, the judge, so some interpret it, “searcheth”; inquires more narrowly into the case, in order to find out truth, and pass a right judgment and sentence.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
This shows that one tale is good till another is told. 1. He that speaks first will be sure to tell a straight story, and relate that only which makes for him, and put the best colour he can upon it, so that his cause shall appear good, whether it really be so or no. 2. The plaintiff having done his evidence, it is fit that the defendant should be heard, should have leave to confront the witnesses and cross-examine them, and show the falsehood and fallacy of what has been alleged, which perhaps may make the matter appear quite otherwise than it did. We must therefore remember that we have two ears, to hear both sides before we give judgment.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Rashness
Verse 17 suggests that one not be hasty in forming an opinion but rather listen to both sides of an argument before reaching a conclusion, Pro 18:2; Pro 18:13; Pro 21:5; Pro 29:20; Ecc 5:2.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro. 18:17
CROSS-EXAMINATION
I. The evidence of one person alone must not be too much depended on. This is but another way of putting the old proverb that One tale is good till another is told. And this does not necessarily imply that the first teller of the tale is an untruthful person, but we are so apt to apprehend facts through the medium of our own prejudicesto see things in the light in which we wish to see themthat even two truthful men may sometimes vary much in their version of the same occurrence. This will be more certainly the case if it is a mans own cause that is under discussion, self-interest is then very likely to lead him to give a one-sided statement. He may unintentionally leave out facts which in the eyes of another person may be very important, or he may bring others into a prominence to which an impartial judge may not consider them entitled. Hence
II. The need of cross-examinationof another to come and search him. Questioning may not convict the first person of any mis-statement, but it may elicit other facts which give quite a different colouring to the whole. The wife of Potiphar seemed just in her cause when she declared that Joseph left his garment in her hand and fled. This was not an untruth, and appearances were certainly very much against her innocent victim, but if Joseph had been allowed to tell his story too, the truth might have come to light. Therefore we learn that we must not give a verdict for or against an accused person until both he and his accuser have been heard.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
The first clause reads thus in the Hebrew, A righteous one, the first in his quarrel, and has a brevity which is practically too great. The righteous is not a righteous man provero, but only righteous, he having the first chance to speak. How true this is, men for the first time in a court can easily imagine. Each last strong speech comes out victorious. Now the lost has done all the strong speaking as yet. Wait till God speaks, and the case will look very differently.Miller.
In every cause, the first information, if it have dwelt for a little in the judges mind, takes deep root, and colours and takes possession of it, insomuch that it will hardly be washed out unless either some clear falsehood be detected or some deceit in the statement thereof.Bacon.
Saul made himself appear just in his own cause. The necessity of the case seemed to warrant the deviation from the command. But Samuel searched him, and laid open his rebellion. (1Sa. 15:17-23.) Zibas cause seemed just in Davids eyes, until Mephibosheths explanation searched him to his confusion. Jobs incautious self-defence was laid open by Elihus probing application. (Job. 33:8-12.)Bridges.
In religious disputes it is a great injustice to depend for the character of a sect, or an impartial representation of their doctrines, upon one whom partiality has blinded and rendered unfit, however honest he may be, to do them justice. Party spirit has as much influence as gifts to blind the eyes of the wise, and to pervert the words of the righteous.Lawson.
This word, falling from heaven on the busy life of man, is echoed back from every quarter in a universal acknowledgment of its justness. This scripture reveals a crook in the creature that God made upright. There is a bias in the heart, the fountain of impulse, and the resulting life-course turns deceitfully aside. Self-love is the twist in the heart within, and self-interest is the side to which the variation from righteousness steadily tends. The heart makes the lie, deceiving first the man himself, and thereafter his neighbours. The bent is in the mould where the thought is first cast in embryo, and everything that comes forth is crooked. In my early childhood a fact regarding the relations of matter came under my observation which I now see has its analogue in the moral laws. An industrious old man, by trade a mason, was engaged to build a certain piece of wall at so much per yard. He came at the appointed time, laid the foundations according to the specifications, and proceeded with his building, course upon course, according to the approved methods of his craft. When the work had advanced several feet above the ground, a younger man, with a steadier hand and a brighter eye, came to assist the elder operator. Casting his eye along the work, as he laid down his tools and adjusted his apron, he detected a defect, and instantly called out to his senior partner that the wall was not plumb. It must be plumb, rejoined the builder, somewhat piqued, for I have laid every stone by the plumb-line. Suiting the action to the word he grasped the rule, laid it along his work, and triumphantly pointed to the lead vibrating and settling down precisely on the cut that marks the middle. Sure enough the wall was according to rule, and yet the wall was not plumb. The rule was examined, and the discovery was made that the old man, with his defective eyesight, had drawn the cord through the wrong slit at the top of the instrument, and then from some cause which I cannot explain, using only one side of it, had never detected his mistake. It is on some such principle that people err in preparing a representation of their own case. They suspend their plumb, not from the middle, but from one edge of the rule, and that the edge which lies next their own interests.Arnot.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(17) He that is first in his own cause seemeth just.A man who tells his own story can make a good case for himself out of it, but his neighbour (i.e., his adversary in the suit) cometh and searcheth him, sifts his statements, and shows them to be untenable.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. First in his own cause Or suit; he who gets the first hearing.
Seemeth just Hebrew, is just makes himself to appear just or righteous.
His neighbour cometh searcheth In presenting his testimony and in arguing his cause, he revealeth what the other had concealed in his statement, and so the appearance is changed. “ Audi alteram partem [Hear the other side] is an equitable rule in every matter; and the text is particularly important to judges and jurors as a caution against making up their minds in a case till they have heard the evidence and pleadings on both sides. In common life great injustice is often done by the credit that is given to one-sided statements and prejudiced representations.” Muenscher.
v. 17. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just, Pro 18:17. He that is first in his own cause “He that speaks first in any cause will undoubtedly set his side in the most favourable and most plausible light; but when the defendant replies, all his arguments will be brought to the test, and all his sophisms laid open and confuted.” This and the following proverbs relate to judicial proceedings. See Grotius and Calmet.
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
I pass over again all the intermediate verses, to dwell upon this very sweet one in the end of the chapter. Amidst all the ingratitude and unfriendliness which my heart hath shewn to Jesus, the best of friends; still he is and will be the friend that sticketh closer than a brother. When I Call to mind how I have treated him, and shewn myself towards him; and this, not only before I knew him but since he manifested himself to me, otherwise than he doeth to the world; I blush to think of his unequalled grace, and my unequalled undeservings. In him I behold that description of him by his servant the prophet, and more especially as it concerns myself, most strikingly set forth and confirmed: He will rest in his love. Zec 3:10 . He doth indeed rest in his love, for the Lord God of Israel saith, that he hateth putting away. Mal 2:16
Pro 18:17 [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Ver. 17. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just. ] The first tale is good till the second be heard. How fair a tale told Tertullus for the Jews against Paul, till the apostle came after him, and unstarched the orator’s trim speech? Judges had need to get and keep that that Alexander boasted of, to keep one ear clear and unprejudiced, for the defendant; for they shall meet with such active actors or pleaders, as can make Quid libet ex quo libet, candida de nigris et de candentibus atra, as can draw a fair glove upon a foul hand, blanch and smooth over the worst causes with goodly pretences, as Ziba did against Mephibosheth, Potiphar’s wife against Joseph, &c. He must therefore , as the Athenian judges were sworn to do, “hear both sides indifferently”: and as that Levite said, Jdg 19:28-30 Consider, consult, and then give sentence, doing nothing by partiality or prejudice.
first in his own cause. Illustrations: Saul (1Sa 15:13. Compare Pro 18:26); Ziba (2Sa 16:1-3. Compare Pro 19:26).
Pro 18:17
Pro 18:17
“He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.”
“The evidence of one person alone is not much to be depended upon; this is a variation of the old proverb that, `One tale is good till another is told.’
Pro 18:17. Leaders, be careful! The first person to come to you with his side of a story may not be true. See this even in children: Johnny hit me; and while he is speaking, in comes another child of the group and says, And what did you do to Johnny first? You kicked him! An old maxim is so true: One story is good till the other is told.
Pro 18:13, 2Sa 16:1-3, 2Sa 19:24-27, Act 24:5, Act 24:6, Act 24:12, Act 24:13
Reciprocal: Gen 39:19 – heard 2Sa 16:4 – Behold Job 32:11 – whilst Pro 28:11 – the poor Luk 6:42 – cast Act 25:16 – and have Act 26:1 – Thou
Pro 18:17. He that is first in his own cause He that first pleadeth his cause; seemeth just Both to himself, and to the judge, or court, by his fair pretences; but his neighbour cometh To contend with him in judgment, and to plead his cause; and searcheth him Examineth the truth and weight of his allegations, disproveth them, and detecteth the weakness of his cause.
18:17 {k} [He that is] first in his own cause [seemeth] just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
(k) He who speaks first, is best heard from the wicked judge, but when his adversary enquires out the matter it turns to his shame.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes