Proverbs 18
18:4 a Words flow from one’s character as water bubbles up from the earth (see also 10:20 b; 12:23 c; 16:23 d; cp. Jas 3:10-12 e).18:8 f // 26:22 g Rumors may be delicious to hear and repeat, but they are deadly.
Summary for Prov 18:10-11: 18:10-11 h In a troubled world, only the Lord can save. The rich might believe their wealth is a strong defense, but the power of money is limited (11:4 i; 13:8 j).
18:12 k Haughtiness cultivates pride. It leads to failure because it does not allow for change in the face of criticism. Humility learns from others and leads to the honor of success.
18:14 l A spiritual or emotional problem (a crushed spirit) can be more trying than a physical one (sick body).
18:16 m See thematic note for Bribes at end of chapter.
18:17 n It is important to hear both sides of a dispute. Only fools jump to conclusions and rush to judgment; the wise take time to discern.
18:18 o Flipping a coin (literally Casting lots): Casting lots was a valid way of seeking God’s will (Num 27:21 p; Josh 18:6-10 q). The Lord determined how the lots would fall (Prov 16:33 r).
18:21 s Life and death: The wise speak thoughtfully (10:19 t; 11:12 u; 12:23 v) because they know that what we say has consequences (13:3 w; 14:3 x).
18:23 y God will punish the powerful who disparage the poor; wise people care for the needy (11:24 z; 28:27 aa; 29:7 ab, 14 ac).
18:24 ad Some people who present themselves as “friends” are not. The wise see beyond pretense, discerning a real friend from false friends by how they act in adverse circumstances.
Thematic note: Bribes
Some verses in Scripture condemn bribes as perverting justice (15:27 ae; 17:23 af). Yet bribes can be used for good purposes and may even be encouraged (17:8 ag; 18:16 ah; 21:14 ai).
As with other topics in Proverbs, the teaching on bribery may seem contradictory, but these proverbs all ring true when applied to the right circumstances, which seem to be connected to the reason for which a bribe or gift is given. If someone gives a bribe so that a judge will condemn an innocent person or set a guilty person free, then it is an evil bribe (see Exod 23:8 aj; Deut 16:19 ak; 27:25 al; Ps 15:5 am). However, if a bribe helps an innocent person to find justice or serves some good purpose, then it seems to be allowable. An example of the latter from modern times might be a “gift” to a foreign immigration official that expedites the processing of a visa for a missionary.
Passages for Further Study
Exod 23:8 an; Deut 10:17 ao; 16:19 ap; 1 Sam 8:1-3 aq; Prov 17:8 ar, 23 as; 18:16 at; 29:4 au; Eccl 7:7 av; Isa 1:23 aw; 33:14-16 ax; Amos 5:12 ay; Mic 3:9-12 az; 7:3 ba; Matt 28:11-15 bb
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