Proverbs 17:11

rebellion This, in its highest reference, is an anticipation of the divine philosophy of St John, "sin is lawlessness" (ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐστὶν ἡ ἀνομία). "Sin is lawlessness. Sin and lawlessness are convertible terms. Sin is not an arbitrary conception; it is the assertion of the selfish will against a paramount authority. He who sins breaks, not only by accident or in an isolated detail, but essentially, the law which he was created to fulfil," Westcott on 1 John 3:4.

a cruel messenger The stern, implacable minister of the rebel's doom. Comp., for illustration, 1 Kings 2:25; 1 Kings 2:34. The LXX. refer the sending of the merciless messenger, whether human or angelic, to Jehovah, against whom ultimately all rebellion is aimed: ὁ δὲ κύριος ἄγγελον ἀνελεήμονα ἐκπέμψει αὐτῷ.