Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 27:18
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honored.
18. See Gen 39:4; Gen 39:22; and for the highest reference of the proverb, St Mat 25:21; St Joh 12:26.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Waiteth – literally, keepeth, observeth. As the fig tree requires constant care but yields abundant crops, so the ministrations of a faithful servant will not be without their due reward. Compare 2Ti 2:6.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Pro 27:18
So he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
The way to honour
If a man in Palestine carefully watched his fig-tree, and kept it in proper condition, he was sure to be abundantly rewarded in due season. So good servants obtain honour as the fruit of diligent service.
I. The relation which subsists between ourselves and our Lord–He is our Master. You are men, and naturally moved by all which moves other men, but still the master motive power with you who are Christians is the supremacy of Christ. He has a right to be our Master from the very dignity of His character. We yield Him service because of His love to us. And our position of servants is an irreversible one.
II. There is a conduct consistent with being servants of Jesus. A servant should–
1. Own himself to be his Masters.
2. Have no time at his own disposal.
3. Be always about his Masters business.
As servants it is our duty to learn our Masters will, and to do it when we know it. It is ours also to obey the Master willingly, and for love of His person. The waiting upon the Master is to be performed personally by the servant. It is ours, in waiting, to abide near to Christ.
III. The reward which surely comes to faithful servants. He finds his honour in waiting upon his Master. Every faithful servant of Christ is honoured in his Masters honour. He is honoured with his Masters approval. He is honoured by having more given him to do. He is honoured in the eyes of his fellow-servants. But the chief honour of the faithful servant comes from the blessed Trinity. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The reward of Gods servants
He who tends the fig-tree has figs for his pains, and he who waits on a good master has honour as his reward. Truly the Lord Jesus is the very best of masters, and it is an honour to be allowed to do the least act for His sake. To serve some lords is to watch over a crab-tree and eat the crabs as ones wages; but to serve my Lord Jesus is to keep a fig-tree of the sweetest figs. His service is in itself delight; continuance in it is promotion; success in it is blessedness below; and the reward for it is glory above. Our greatest honours will be gathered in that season when the figs will be ripe, even in the next world. Angels who are now our servitors will bear us home when our days work is done. Heaven, where Jesus is, will be our honourable mansion, eternal bliss our honourable portion, and the Lord Himself our honourable companion. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
An honoured servant
Melancthons friends were astonished at his liberality, and wondered how, with his small means, he could afford to give so much in charity. It was principally owing to the good management of a faithful servant named John. The whole duty of providing for the family was entrusted to this domestic, whose care and prudence amply justified the confidence reposed in him. He avoided all needless expenditure, and watched with a jealous eye his masters property. He was also the first instructor of the children during their infancy. John grew old in his masters service, and expired in his house, regretted by all. During a service of thirty-four years how much usefulness was effected by honest John, and by his master, through his instrumentality! Melancthon invited the students of the university to attend the funeral of his faithful servant; delivered an oration over his grave; and composed a Latin epitaph for his tombstone.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
He mentions the fig tree, because they abounded in Canaan, and were more valued and regarded than other trees.
He that waiteth on his master, that serves him faithfully, prudently, and diligently,
shall be honoroured; shall receive that respect and recompence which he deserves.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
18. Diligence secures a reward,even for the humble servant.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof,…. That takes care of a fig tree, either his own or another’s, planted in his garden or vineyard; see Lu 13:6; who cultivates it, digs about and dungs it, and prunes it, and does everything necessary to it; when it brings forth fruit, and that is ripe and fit to eat, he eats of it, as it is but just he should; see 1Co 9:7;
so he that waiteth on his master; or “that keeps his master” k, his person from danger, and his goods faithfully committed to his trust; or “that observes his master” l, that looks to his hand, observes his motions, directions, and commands;
shall be honoured; as Joseph was in Potiphar’s house, and elsewhere; and as all those are who observe the commandments of God, and are the servants of Christ; see 1Sa 2:30.
k “qui custodit”, Pagninus, Mercerus, Gejerus; “custodiens”, Montanus; “qui custos est domini sui”, V. L. l “Observat”, Tigurine version, Junius Tremellius, Piscator, Michaelis “observans”, Cocceius, Schultens.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The following three proverbs are connected with 17 in their similarity of form: –
18 Whosoever watcheth the fig-tree will enjoy its fruit;
And he that hath regard to his master attaineth to honour.
The first member is, as in Pro 27:17, only the means of contemplating the second; as faithful care of the tree has fruit for a reward, so faithful regard for one’s master, honour; is used as at Isa 27:3, as at Hos 4:10, etc. – the proverb is valid in the case of any kind of master up to the Lord of lords. The fig-tree presented itself, as Heidenheim remarks, as an appropriate figure; because in the course of several years’ training it brings forth its fruit, which the language of the Mishna distinguishes as , unripe, , half ripe, and , fully ripe. To fruit in the first line corresponds honour in the second, which the faithful and attentive servant attains unto first on the part of his master, and then also from society in general.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
This is designed to encourage diligence, faithfulness, and constancy, even in mean employments. Though the calling be laborious and despicable, yet those who keep to it will find there is something to be got by it. 1. Let not a poor gardener, who keeps the fig-tree, be discouraged; though it require constant care and attendance to nurse up fig-trees, and, when they have grown to maturity, to keep them in good order, and gather the figs in their season, yet he shall be paid for his pains: He shall eat the fruit of it, 1 Cor. ix. 7. 2. Nay, let not a poor servant think himself incapable of thriving and being preferred; for if he be diligent in waiting on his master, observant of him and obedient to him, if he keep his master (so the word is), if he do all he can for the securing of his person and reputation and take care that his estate be not wasted or damaged, such a one shall be honoured, shall not only get a good word, but be preferred and rewarded. God is a Master who has engaged to put an honour on those that serve him faithfully, John xii. 26.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Faithful Servant Rewarded
Verse 18 declares that as he who faithfully takes care of his fig tree gets to eat figs, so the servant who faithfully serves his master shall be rewarded, 2Ki 18:31; Isa 36:16; Luk 12:42-44; Luk 19:17; 1Co 3:8; 2Ti 2:6.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
MAIN HOMILETICS OF Pro. 27:18
THE REWARD OF SERVICE
I. The reward of the servant of nature. The fig-tree may here be taken as typical of all that the earth produces for the sustenance of man. God has ordained that man shall be a co-worker with Himself in making the earth fruitful. If He gives the life to the herb or the tree, and sends the sun and the rain to quicken and nourish it, man must give his service too. It is his business to prepare the soil, to tend the God-given life, and to protect it as far as possible from all adverse influences. And this being done, some reward is certain. There will be cases of individual and occasional failure, but fruit for service is the rule in the kingdom of nature.
II. The reward of service rendered to man. Although the word servant is now obnoxious to many ears, we do well to remember the estimate which God puts upon faithful service and the important place which it holds in the world. He who served us unto death left this command on record, Whosoever will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all (Mar. 10:44), and a little consideration will convince us that the whole of human society is knit together by service. In one sense, all true men and women, however high their position, are servants to others. The good monarch and the faithful statesman are servants to their nation as truly as men and women in more lowly stations are servants to individual masters. It is, however, doubtless to these latter that the wise man here refers, and faithful service rendered by them in their small sphere is as much esteemed by God as the service of the greater and more gifted. Those who serve as to the Lord, and not unto men, shall of the Lord receive the reward of the inheritance, says Paul (Col. 3:22-24). Honour shall be awarded by God, not in proportion to the kind of service rendered, but in proportion to the spirit in which it is performed, and this fruit of faithful service will never fail. And, as a rule, esteem and gratitude from the earthly master will also be rendered.
OUTLINES AND SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS
All sorts of inferiors, then, as both servants and subjects, must make this reckoning and account of their superiors and rulers, that they are unto them their peculiar charge, whereon they must attend, and the special hope of their honour and preferment. They must therefore think and say thus with themselves: Surely this is the fig-tree that I must watch and keep; this is that same olive-tree that I must look unto. I must not suffer this to be spoiled or destroyed. I must not suffer my rulers goods to be wasted, nor his name to be discredited, nor the gifts of God in him to decay; I must keep his favour, and I must seek his welfare, as much as in me lieth.Muffet.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(18) Whoso keepeth the fig-treei.e., tends it carefully year after year, shall eat the fruit thereof when it has come to perfection.
So he that waiteth on his masteri.e., attends to him, observes and follows out his wishes, shall be honoured for his good service. (Comp. Mat. 25:21.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
18. Eat the fruit thereof Diligence and faithfulness in any relation of life shall be honoured with a reward. A general principle.
Waiteth on Guards his master, or watches faithfully over his interests. Comp. Pro 12:11; Pro 28:19; 2Ti 2:6.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Pro 27:18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
Ver. 18. Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat, &c. ] Of the continually renewed fruits thereof; for when the ripe figs are pulled off others shortly come in their place. The Egyptian fig tree is reported by Solinus to bear fruit seven times in a year: such as is good both for meat and medicine, as Galen observeth, and after him Dioscorides.
So he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
a .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
that waiteth . . . honoured. Illustrations: Deborah (Gen 35:8); Joseph (Gen 39:2-6, Gen 39:22, Gen 39:23); Elisha (2Ki 3:11); Centurion’s servant (Luk 7:8); disciples (Luk 12:37); soldier (Act 10:7).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 27:18
Pro 27:18
“Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; And he that regardeth the master shall be honored.”
Paul evidently had this in mind (2Ti 2:6). The comparison here seems to be: “Just as the fig-tree requires constant care, but also yields abundant fruit, so the ministrations of a faithful servant will not be without their due reward.
Pro 27:18. One who carefully tends his fig tree will in time be rewarded for his patient effort, and one who faithfully serves his master will also find that he will be honored for it. Jesus is our Master, and to each who has faithfully served Him here on earth will hear Him say, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord (Mat 25:21).
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
keepeth: Son 8:12, 1Co 9:7, 1Co 9:13
so: Pro 17:2, Pro 22:29, Gen 24:2, Gen 24:3, Gen 39:2-5, Gen 39:22, Gen 39:23, Exo 24:13, 2Ki 3:11, 2Ki 5:2, 2Ki 5:3, 2Ki 5:25, 2Ki 5:27, Mar 10:43, Act 10:7, Col 3:22
shall be: 1Sa 2:30, Psa 123:2, Mat 24:25, Mat 24:46, Mat 25:21, Mat 25:22, Luk 12:37, Luk 12:43, Luk 12:44, Joh 12:26, 1Pe 2:18, 1Pe 2:21
Reciprocal: Gen 39:4 – overseer Pro 13:23 – food
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Pro 27:18. Whoso keepeth the fig-tree That is, looks after it, and preserves it from suffering by drought, by vermin, or by wild beasts, &c.; shall eat the fruit thereof Shall partake of its pleasant fruit in due time; so he that waiteth on his master That serves him faithfully, prudently, and diligently; shall be honoured Shall receive that respect and recompense which he deserves. He mentions the fig-tree, because such trees abounded in Canaan, and were valued and regarded more than other trees.