Proverbs 18 - Introduction

NOTICEABLE GROUPINGS IN CHAPTER 18

Speech

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters (Proverbs 18:4).

A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes (Proverbs 18:6).

A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul (Proverbs 18:7).

The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts (Proverbs 18:8).

He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him (Proverbs 18:13).

A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied (Proverbs 18:20).

Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).

The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly (Proverbs 18:23).

Fools

A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself (Proverbs 18:2).

A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes (Proverbs 18:6).

A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul (Proverbs 18:7).

He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him (Proverbs 18:13).

Rich

The rich man's wealth is his strong city, And as a high wall in his own imagination (Proverbs 18:11).

The rich answereth roughly (Proverbs 18:23).

Wicked

When the wicked cometh, there cometh also contempt (Proverbs 18:3).

To respect the person of the wicked is not good (Proverbs 18:5).

Wisdom

The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook (Proverbs 18:4).

The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge (Proverbs 18:15).

Righteous

Not good...to turn aside the righteous in judgment (Proverbs 18:5).

The righteous runneth into it, and is safe (Proverbs 18:10).

Destruction

The fool's mouth is his destruction (Proverbs 18:7).

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty (Proverbs 18:12).

He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction (Proverbs 18:24).

THE BLESSINGS OF WISDOM

We should appreciate the splendid words concerning the desirableness of wisdom in Proverbs 4:5-13: Get wisdom, get understanding; forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go; keep her; for she is thy life.

Proverbs 2:10-17 is another fine passage showing the usefulness of wisdom: When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: to deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the forwardness of the wicked; whose ways are crooked, and they forward in their paths: to deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words. Nothing like wisdom can preserve a person from crooked men and wicked women.

Consider other smaller passages on the subject of wisdom:

Proverbs 12:8: A man shall be commended according to his wisdom. Other things being as they should be, a man of wisdom is a well respected man. His advice is often sought, His word carries weight. His very person embodies a dignity.

Proverbs 13:20: He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. This passage shows the importance of proper association. Choosing fools as one's companions does not lead to great things in one's life, but walking with wise men does.

Proverbs 19:2: That the soul be without knowledge, it is not good. Here is a real appeal to be an informed soul, to know the things we should, to appreciate the privileges of learning and to take advantage of them.

Proverbs 19:27: Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. There is false knowledge that leads astray. In this passage, the father warns the son about receiving false instruction and counsel.

Proverbs 24:3-5: Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. Yes, wisdom is strength, and knowledge leads to many victories.