Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 28:6

Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich.

6. The first half of the proverb occurs in Pro 19:1.

perverse in his ways ] Lit. perverse of two ways: i.e. in double-dealing. Comp. “Woe to the sinner that goeth two ways!” Sir 2:12 ; , Jas 1:8.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Perverse in his ways – literally, Perverse in his double ways. Compare Ecclesiasticus 2:12 and Jam 1:8.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Pro 28:6

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

Christianity, the health of a people

The poor man who walks in his integrity, must be supposed to possess that practical wisdom so much spoken of in this book. The rich man who is perverse in his ways is destitute of this wisdom. The presumed difference between the poor man and the rich is in the possession of true religious principle.

I. The influence which true religion exerts in reference to the duties of life. There has been a tendency to speak of useful knowledge as if it did not include religious knowledge. Useful knowledge must be that which equips man for immortality. If a man is imbued with the fear of God, he has a principle which must accompany him into all the intercourse of life, and exert an influence over each portion of his conduct.

II. The influence which true religion exerts in reference to the trials of life. The poor cottager finds in the promises of Scripture a mighty counterpoise to all the troubles by which he is oppressed. Christianity does not diminish labour or prevent sorrow or death, but it does give strength, and cheer, and hope. Religion has such a power of softening what is rugged, enlightening what is dark, sustaining under the heaviest pressure, and encouraging in the most perplexed circumstances, that as nothing can supply its place, so its possession more than compensates every other want. (H. Melvill, B.D.)

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Better; in a much safer and happier condition.

In his ways, Heb. in two ways; halting between two ways, pretending to virtue, but practising vice; or covering his wicked designs with good pretences; or sometimes erring on one hand, and sometimes on the other, as wicked men commonly do.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

6. (Compare Pr10:6). Riches cannot compensate for sin, nor the want of themaffect integrity.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness,….

[See comments on Pr 19:1];

than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich; or, “in [his] two ways” c: that halts between two ways, or makes use of both; sometimes turns to the one, to the right hand, and sometimes to the other, to the left hand; or that pretends to the one, and walks in the other; would be thought to be a virtuous and religious man, and to walk in the paths of righteousness and truth, when he walks in those of sin and wickedness. And now a poor man that walks evenly and uprightly, according to the word of God and truth of the Gospel, in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, and in the paths of faith and holiness, is better than he; more honourable, more comfortable, and happy in life and in death; he has grace now, and will have glory hereafter.

c Heb. “duabus viis”, Piscator, Cocceius; “pervertens duas vias”, Baynus; “duplici via”, Michaelis; “gemina via”, Schultens, so Ben Melech.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

What is stated in this proverb is a conclusion from the preceding, with which it is also externally connected, for (= ), , , and now , follow each other:

Better a poor man who walketh in his innocence,

Than a double-going deceiver who is rich thereby.

A variation of Pro 19:1. Stainlessness, integritas vitae , as a consequence of unreserved devotion to God, gives to a man with poverty a higher worth and nobility than riches connected with falsehood which “halts between two opinions” (1Ki 18:21), and appears to go one way, while in reality it goes another. The two ways (cf. Sir. 2:12, … ) are, as Pro 28:18, not ways going aside to the right or to the left of the right way, but the evil way which the deceiver truly walks in, and the good way which he pretends to walk in (Fleischer); the two ways of action placed over against one another, by one of which he masks the other.

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

      6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

      Here, 1. It is supposed that a man may walk in his uprightness and yet be poor in this world, which is a temptation to dishonesty, and yet may resist the temptation and continue to walk in his uprightness–also that a man may be perverse in his ways, injurious to God and man, and yet be rich, and prosper in the world, for a while, may be rich, and so lie under great obligations and have great opportunities to do good, and yet be perverse in his ways and do a great deal of hurt. 2. It is maintained as a paradox to a blind world that an honest, godly, poor man, is better than a wicked, ungodly, rich man, has a better character, is in a better condition, has more comfort in himself, is a greater blessing to the world, and is worthy of much more honour and respect. It is not only certain that his case will be better at death, but it is better in life. When Aristides was by a rich man upbraided with his poverty he answered, Thy riches do thee more hurt than my poverty does me.

Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary