Proverbs 11:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 11:17

It is a common principle, Every one for himself. Proximus egomet mihi?None so near to me as myself. Now, if this be rightly understood, it will be a reason for the cherishing of gracious dispositions in ourselves and the crucifying of corrupt ones. We are friends or enemies to ourselves, even in respect of present comfort, according as we are or are not governed by religious principles. 1. A merciful, tender, good humoured man, does good to his own soul, makes and keeps himself easy. He has... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:17

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul ,.... Or "to himself": a man of mercy or grace, a liberal bountiful man, he comfortably enjoys what God has given him, Ecclesiastes 5:18 ; and he does good to others with it, and thereby does good to himself also; as well as he is solicitous in a spiritual sense for the good and welfare of his immortal soul; but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh ; a sordid avaricious man withholds from himself that which is meet, will not allow... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 11:17

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul - Every gracious disposition is increased while a man is exercised in showing mercy. No man can show an act of disinterested mercy without benefiting his own soul, by improving his moral feeling. But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh - We seldom see a peevish, fretful, vindictive man either in good health, or good plight of body. I have often heard it observed of such, "He frets his flesh off his bones." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:3-31

The pricelessness of integrity We have here a view of the exceeding worth of moral integrity, or of righteousness; we see what, in the judgment of the wise, it will do for its possessor. It will— I. DIRECT HIS WAY . "The integrity of the upright shall guide them; …the righteousness of the perfect [ i.e. the upright] shall direct his way" ( Proverbs 11:3-5 ). And we read. ( Proverbs 10:9 ) that "he that walketh uprightly walketh surely." The man who honestly and earnestly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:17

The merciful man; the kind, loving man. Septuagint, ἀνὴρ ἐλεήμων . His own soul; i.e. himself. His good deeds return in blessings upon himself. "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" ( Matthew 5:7 ) Troubleth his own flesh; brings retribution on himself. Some commentators, comparing Ec Proverbs 14:5 ("He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good?"), translate, "He who does good to himself is a kind man to others, and he who troubles his own body will be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:17

The merciful man It would be our duty to be merciful if we suffered thereby, and indeed we can never be truly merciful solely from motives of self-interest, since genuine mercy must Spring from sympathy. Nevertheless, we sadly need all aids to righteousness—the lower as well as the higher; and therefore it may be useful for us to consider how much it makes for our own profit that we should be merciful. I. THE MERCIFUL MAN WILL OBTAIN MERCY FROM OTHER MEN . We never... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:17

Religion and self-interest The loving man does good to himself, while the cruel afflict their own souls. As examples of the former, see Joseph in prison ( Genesis 40:6 ), the Kenites ( 1 Samuel 15:6 ), David and the Egyptian slave ( 1 Samuel 30:11-20 ), David's conduct to Jonathan ( 2 Samuel 9:7 ; 2 Samuel 21:7 ), Job praying for his friends ( Job 42:10 ), the centurion and the Jews ( Luke 7:2-10 ), the people of Melita to Paul ( Acts 28:1-10 ). For examples of the latter,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 11:17

Honourable self-love; the effect of conduct on character Our great temptation, and therefore our great peril, is to look at all things in a selfish light; to ask ourselves, concerning each event as it unfolds itself— How will it affect me ? This is very far indeed from the spirit of Christ; his spirit is that of unselfishness, of generous regard for the welfare of others. To bear one another's burdens is to fulfil his law and to reproduce his life. Yet is there one respect in which we... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 11:17

Proverbs 11:17. The merciful man Who is compassionate toward persons in distress, bountiful to such as are in want, and kind to all; doth good to his own soul That is, to himself, because his mercy and liberality shall turn to his own infinite advantage, both in this life and the next. But he that is cruel That is, hard-hearted, and uncharitable to others; troubleth his own flesh Either, 1st, His own children and kindred, for whose sakes he is thus covetous and uncharitable, in order... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 11:1-31

Prosperity; uprightness; generosity (11:1-31)People are foolish to try to get rich by dishonest methods, because dishonesty brings judgment from which riches cannot save (11:1-4). By their blameless conduct, people ensure their ultimate victory; by crookedness they ensure their downfall (5-8). When good people have influence in a city, the citizens live in peace and happiness. But each city also has its troublemakers, who are a nuisance to their neighbours and create unrest in the community... read more

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