Proverbs 14:31 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 14:31

God is here pleased to interest himself more than one would imagine in the treatment given to the poor. 1. He reckons himself affronted in the injuries that are done them. Whosoever he be that wrongs a poor man, taking advantage against him because he is poor and cannot help himself, let him know that he puts an affront upon his Maker. God made him, and gave him his being, the same that is the author of our being; we have all one Father, one Maker; see how Job considered this, Job 31:15. God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:31

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker ,.... That does him any injury, either by scoffing at him, and reproaching him for his poverty; or by vexatious law suits; or by withholding from him his wages; or not giving him that relief which he ought: such an one not only injures the poor man; but reproaches God that made him, not only a man, but a poor man; and who is the Maker of the rich man also, Proverbs 22:2 ; but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor ; he that is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 14:31

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker - Because the poor, or comparatively poor, are, in the order of God, a part of the inhabitants of the earth; and every man who loves God will show mercy to the poor, for with this God is peculiarly delighted. The poor have we ever with us, for the excitement and exercise of those benevolent, compassionate, and merciful feelings, without which men had been but little better than brutes. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:28-35

Life contrasts I. IN PUBLIC LIFE . 1 . Fulness and scantiness of population. ( Proverbs 14:28 .) The Hebrew had a deep sense of the value of fruitfulness in the wedded life, and of increase in the nation. The majesty of the monarch is the reflection of the greatness of his people, and the decay must represent itself in his feebleness for action. It is our duty as Christian men to study with intelligence political questions, and to support all measures which tend to freedom... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 14:31

He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker, even God. who hath placed men in their several conditions ( Proverbs 17:5 ; Proverbs 22:2 ). "The poor shall never cease out of the land" ( Deuteronomy 15:11 ); "The poor ye have always with you," said Christ ( Matthew 26:11 ); therefore to harass and oppress the poor because he is in this lowly condition, is virtually to arraign the providence of God, who is the Father of all, and has made all men brothers, however differing in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 14:31

Proverbs 14:31 . He that oppresseth the poor That uses the poor man hardly, as the Syriac renders it: that withholdeth from him that which is his due, either by the rules of strict justice, or by the great law of charity, of which see Proverbs 3:27; reproacheth his Maker Whose image the poor man bears, by whose counsel and providence he is made poor, and who hath declared himself to be the protector and avenger of the poor; but he that honoureth him That honoureth God’s image, and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 14:1-35

Hidden feelings and motives (14:1-35)Wisdom builds, but folly destroys. People’s actions reveal their attitude to God (14:1-2). The wisdom of their speech and their commitment to hard work are among the things that determine whether they progress or come to ruin (3-5). Those who think they know everything can never become truly wise and therefore can never have right discernment in the moral issues of life (6-8).Good people may prosper and evil people may suffer loss, but outward appearances do... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 14:31

the poor = a weak one. Hebrew. dal . See note on Proverbs 6:11 . his Maker. An ancient title found in the book of Job (Job 35:10 ), also in Proverbs 17:5 ; just as we speak of the "Creator". Used here because He is the Maker of the weak as well as the strong. We meet with it again in Isaiah 17:7 ; Isaiah 51:13 ; Isaiah 54:5 . Not "confined to the later literature of Judaism". the poor = a humble one. Hebrew. 'ebyon. See note on Proverbs 6:11 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 14:31

"He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; But he that hath mercy on the needy honoreth him."There are three classes of the poor: (1) those, who through lack of ability, have never been able to make a living, (2) those who were once affluent, but have been brought down by affliction, and (3) those who, though not actually in want, are able through diligent and constant toil to supply the barest necessities of life but do not know any of the luxuries of ease or wealth. "Oppression of... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 14:31

31. reproacheth his Maker—who is the God of such, as well as of the rich (Proverbs 22:2; Job 31:15; and specially 1 Samuel 2:8; Psalms 113:7). read more