Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 13:17
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador [is] health.
17. falleth ] Hitzig and others, by a slight change of vowels, read bringeth, sc. those who sent him, which contrasts better with the bringing of health, or well-being by the faithful messenger. Comp. Pro 25:13.
mischief ] Rather, evil, R.V.
This proverb must be read in the light of the then common employment of messengers charged with verbal tidings or instructions. The message would in such case depend greatly for its colour and consequences upon the character of the messenger.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Pro 13:17
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
Ministers are ambassadors
I. Justify the comparison of the Ambassador and the minister of the gospel. Observe–
1. The high commission under which they act. The ambassador is invested with authority to perform business of the utmost importance to the well-being of both countries with which he is concerned. Is not this true of those servants of the Most High God who show to men the way of salvation? The office of the ministry is not of human, but of Divine origin.
2. Their required qualifications. An ambassador must be particularly instructed for his work; he must accurately know the mind and will of his employer, and the claims of the respective parties in reference to whom he treats. And a minister should be a man whose mind has been thoroughly enlightened by the truths of the gospel. He is set for the defence of the gospel, so he must show himself a scribe well instructed in the kingdom of heaven–one able rightly to divide the Word of truth.
3. The peculiar character of their transactions. The ambassador is often sent to arrange terms of peace. And in this sense, ministers are ambassadors for Christ.
4. The issue of their negotiations. A faithful ambassador is health. This refers to three things–the healing of those breaches and contentions which had previously broken forth and prevailed; the excellency of the benefits which accrue to the reconciled party; and the promotion to honour and prosperity of the successful ambassador. Each of these ideas is applicable to the higher exercises of the holy ambassadorship.
II. Considerations to urge you to accede to the proposals we advance.
1. It is derived from the expensive preparation made by the offended party to effect the desired conciliation.
2. The second consideration is drawn from the imminent peril of rejecting the proposals which we advance.
3. Think of the countless advantages of conciliation.
4. Reflect on the transitoriness of the period during which these negotiators must fulfil all the important ends of their embassy. Happy, thrice happy, are they who have been brought into a state of reconciliation with God. (John Clayton.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 17. A wicked messenger] The Septuagint: , a bold king; instead of malach, a messenger, they had read melech, a king: but they are singular in this rendering; none of the other versions have it so. He that betrays the counsels of his government, or the interests of his country, will sooner or later fall into mischief; but he that faithfully and loyally fulfils his mission, shall produce honour and safety to the commonwealth.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
A wicked messenger, who is unfaithful in the execution of that which is committed to his charge, as appears by the opposite clause,
falleth into mischief; shall not escape punishment from God, or from them who sent him.
Is health; or, wholesome; procureth safety and benefit, as to his master, so also to himself.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. A wickedor, “unfaithful”
messenger falleth intomischiefor, “by mischief,” or “evil,” andso his errand fails. Contrasted is the character of the faithful,whose faithfulness benefits others.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief,…. That does not do his errand right, nor deliver his message faithfully; such an one falls from the degree of honour in which he was into disgrace; he loses his master’s favour that sent him; he is degraded from his post and office: he falls “by evil”, or “into evil” r; by the evil of sin, into the evil of punishment. So wicked ministers and false teachers, such who transform themselves into the apostles of Christ and into angels of light, who corrupt the word of God, and handle it deceitfully; these shall receive their just condemnation; since they do a deal of mischief to the souls of men, and therefore shall fall into mischief themselves, even into everlasting perdition;
but a faithful ambassador [is] health; or, “an ambassador of truths” s; one that performs his embassy well and truly, he is salutary, useful, and profitable to himself, and to them that send him: the word for ambassador is translated an “hinge”, Pr 26:14; and he is so called, because upon his negotiations abroad the hinge of political affairs turn at home. An ambassador of Christ, who does his work faithfully, keeps back nothing that is profitable, but declares the whole counsel of God; the sound doctrines he delivers are health to the souls of men; as well as he is approved of God and Christ; and so it turns to his own health and advantage, who will hear one day said unto him, “Well done, good and faithful servant”, Mt 25:23.
r “in malum”, V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Pisccator, &c. s “legatus veritatum”, Montanus, Vatablus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
17 A godless messenger falls into trouble;
But a faithful messenger is a cordial.
The traditional text, which the translations also give (except Jerome, nuntius impii , and leaving out of view the lxx, which makes of Pro 13:17 a history of a foolhardy king and a wise messenger), has not , but ; the Masora places the word along with , Gen 48:16. And is likewise testified to by all translators; they all read it as Kal, as the traditional text punctuates it; Luther alone departs from this and translates the Hiph.: “a godless messenger bringeth misfortune.” Indeed, this conj. presses itself forward; and even though one read , the sense intended by virtue of the parallelism could be no other than that a godless messenger, because no blessing rests on his godlessness, stumbles into disaster, and draws him who gave the commission along with him. The connection is like , Pro 11:7 (cf. the fem. of this adj., Eze 3:18). Instead of is , Pro 17:20; Pro 28:14, parallels (cf. also Pro 11:5) which the punctuators may have had in view in giving the preference to Kal. With , from , R. , to make to go = to send, is interchanged , from , to turn, whence to journey (cf. Arab. sar , to become, to be, as the vulg. “to be to Dresden = to journey” is used). The connection (cf. the more simple , Pro 25:13) is like Pro 14:15, ; the pluralet. means faithfulness in the full extent of the idea. Regarding , the means of healing, here to strength, refreshment, vid., Pro 4:22; Pro 12:18.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
Here we have, 1. The ill consequences of betraying a trust. A wicked messenger, who, being sent to negotiate any business, is false to him that employed him, divulges his counsels, and so defeats his designs, cannot expect to prosper, but will certainly fall into some mischief or other, will be discovered and punished, since nothing is more hateful to God and man than the treachery of those that have a confidence reposed in them. 2. The happy effects of fidelity: An ambassador who faithfully discharges his trust, and serves the interests of those who employ him, is health; he is health to those by whom and for whom he is employed, heals differences that are between them, and preserves a good understanding; he is health to himself, for he secures his own interest. This is applicable to ministers, Christ’s messengers and ambassadors; those that are wicked and false to Christ and the souls of men do mischief and fall into mischief, but those that are faithful will find sound words to be healing words to others and themselves.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Selecting Agents
Verse 17 suggests caution in selecting an agent because a wicked representative will likely become involved in mischief adversely affecting those he represents; but a faithful ambassador will perform his mission in a manner to the advantage and well being of those he serves, Pro 25:13.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro. 13:17
A SOCIAL LINK
I. An important link in human societya messenger. This link may or may not be important in himself. He may belong to the highest or to the lowest stratum of human life. He may be a princely ambassador, or he may be a telegraph boy. The link which holds two bodies together may be of great intrinsic value. It may be of wrought gold, and much skill may have been expended on its workmanship; but what it is in itself is not of so much importance as what it is as a link. Its beauty and costliness will not avail much if it gives way when it is subject to strain, and thereby causes loss and vexation to its owner. The link that holds the cable to the anchor is not in itself worth much; but when it holds an ironclad off a rocky coast, there hangs upon it half a million of money, and the sorrow or joy of many human hearts for years to come. Untold loss or gain depend upon whether that ring of iron can bear the strain or not. So it is with a messenger. He may be a person of great intellectual powers, and of great social importance, or he may not have either. But he is always of value in his relative position. Like the link in a cable, he always holds in his keeping more than he is. He may be the bearer of the secrets of one who has hanging upon his will an army of many thousands, and a nation of as many millions may be interested in the message which he bears. Whether he be prince or peasant is of no importance in comparison with the fact that he bears a message.
II. The one all-important qualification in a messengerfaithfulness. No greater praise can be given to a man than to say that he is faithful, yet nothing less will make him worth anything in human life. All mens hopes for time and eternity rest upon the faithfulness of God. This is the sheet-anchor of humanity that He is a faithful Creator (1Pe. 4:19). That He is faithful that promised (Heb. 10:10). It is for faithfulness, not for success, that He gives the well done (Mat. 25:21), to His servants. In a messenger it is the one thing needful, and its importance is increased in proportion to what hangs upon his message. Life or death may depend upon it, and often not the fate of an individual merely, but the destiny of a nation. An unfaithful messenger falleth into mischief himself. He who betrays his trust injures himself. He goes down in the moral scale. He loses his reputation, and is not trusted again. If the link in the cable gives way, it is itself broken. But this is not all, nor the worst. He is the cause of mischief falling upon others. How true is this in social life. A message, coloured in its delivery, to gratify some selfish purpose, may divide men who would have been friends, if it had not been for the third person. And its omission, through carelessness, may bring about a like mischief. And it is also true in national relationships. The ambassador, who is entrusted to express a nations will, may be a fruitful source of mischief if he is negligent or unwary when war and peace hang in the balance. Millions of hearts may be made sad by an under or an over statement of facts. But a faithful messenger is health, or healing. He is health in himself. A faithful messenger, apart from his official or representative character, is an embodiment of moral health, and when he is entrusted to make peace where there has been war, he is healing. He may be only a counsellor of peace between individual men who have been at strife, or he may be the bearer of terms of peace between hostile nations. But, whether in the one case or the other, the faithful discharge of his duties will bring healing: for all real peace must be founded on a truthful statement of facts. This verse is especially true of an ambassador of Christ. He who is truly sent of God will be faithful in the delivery of his message, and will thus bring healing to many. He will not walk in craftiness, nor handle the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commend himself to every mans conscience in the sight of God. And so he will be the means of bringing moral health (2Co. 4:2; 1Co. 6:11).
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
Every man is a messenger, and has an errand, and that is as a witness for God (chap. Pro. 14:25). The word for messenger is the word for angel. How soon did the wicked angel fall, when he became of no use? and men, how long do they tolerate a false messenger? The soul sent out by the Almighty, if wicked, shall fall; but a soul that is faithful is needed, and will hold its place.Miller.
A wicked messenger hath no sooner a business committed unto him than he falleth into mischief, by betraying the trust reposed in him, and therefore justly doth mischief fall on him. He that is a faithful ambassador is, indeed, the ambassador of truth itself. He, being sent, hath healing under his wings, whereby he giveth soundness and health unto his business, whereby he giveth soundness and health to those that employed him. The proverbial sense is, That the good or bad success of a business proceedeth much from the goodness or badness of him that is employed in it.Jermin.
How much more then, wicked ministers, those messengers of the churches (2Co. 8:23) that do the Lords work negligently (Jer. 48:10), that corrupt His message (2Co. 2:17). Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger? (Isa. 42:19).Trapp.
While the wicked messenger prepares misfortune for himself, as well as for his master, the faithful makes good even his Lords mistakes.Von Gerlach.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(17) Falleth into mischief.And brings those also who sent him into trouble; but a faithful messenger is health both to himself and his employers.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. A wicked messenger mischief A bad one, either ignorant or neglectful, makes trouble for himself and those who send him.
But a faithful ambassador Hebrew, messenger of fidelities, is health, or healing. Heals differences and removes difficulties, procuring safety to himself and good to his principal. Comp. Pro 25:13; Pro 12:18; Pro 10:26 ; 1Sa 22:17-18; with Psalms 52, title; 2Ki 1:9-14.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
v. 17. A wicked messenger falleth into mischief,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Pro 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador [is] health.
Ver. 17. A wicked messenger falleth into mischief. ] Incurs the displeasure and just revenge of them that sent him, or, at least, of God, in case of his slackness. How much more then wicked ministers, those “messengers of the Churches,” 2Co 8:23 that do the Lord’s work “negligently,” Jer 48:10 that “corrupt” a his message, 2Co 2:17 that huckster it and handle it craftily and covetously, calling good evil, and evil good, &c.? “Who is blind but my servant? or deaf as my messenger?” Isa 42:19 Such an ambassador was once worthily derided in the Roman state. As at another time, a certain stranger coming on embassy to the senators of Rome, and colouring his hoary hair and pale cheeks with vermilion hue, a grave senator, espying the deceit, stood up and said, ‘What sincerity are we to expect at this man’s hands, whose locks, and looks, and lips do lie?’ It was an honest complaint of a Popish writer, We, saith he, handle the Scripture, tantum ut nos pascat et vestiat, that we may pick a living out of it, and are therefore fain to preach placentia, pleasingly and so to put men into a fool’s paradise. But “shall they” thus “escape by iniquity?” Psa 56:7 have they no better doctors?
But a faithful ambassador is health.
a .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
mischief. Hebrew. ra’a’. Same word as “evil” in Pro 13:19. App-44.
health = healing. Compare Pro 12:18.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 13:17
Pro 13:17
“A wicked messenger falleth into evil; But a faithful ambassador is health.”
“This passage refers to the envoy who was an important government official, or to a scribe, who was entrusted with some important mission. A wicked man in such a position could bring evil upon an entire nation. Solomon, of course, was experienced in the choice of such messengers.
Pro 13:17. A wicked messenger is one who is not true to the one sending him. He will be called to answer for his unfaithfulness. A curse belongs to one who perverts the gospel (Gal 1:6-9). One who is a faithful representative brings joy to the one dispatching him. God was pleased with Jesus (Mat 17:5), and Christ will be pleased with us if we faithfully proclaim His Word (Mat 28:19-20).
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
wicked: Pro 10:26, Pro 26:6, Jer 23:13-16, Jer 23:28, Eze 3:18, Eze 33:7, Eze 33:8, 2Co 2:17
but: Pro 25:13, Pro 25:23, 1Co 4:2, 2Co 5:20, 1Ti 1:12, 2Ti 2:2
a faithful ambassador: Heb. an ambassador of faithfulness
Reciprocal: Pro 12:18 – but Pro 24:16 – but 1Co 4:17 – faithful Eph 6:20 – I am
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pro 13:17. A wicked messenger Who is unfaithful in the execution of the business committed to his charge; falleth into mischief Shall not escape punishment from God, or from them who sent him; but a faithful ambassador is health Procures safety and benefit, as to his master, so also to himself.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
13:17 A wicked messenger falleth {h} into mischief: but a faithful ambassador [is] health.
(h) Brings many inconveniences both to himself and to others.