Proverbs 5:17

5:15-23 Lawful marriage is a means God has appointed to keep from these destructive vices. But we are not properly united, except as we attend to God's word, seeking his direction and blessing, and acting with affection. Ever remember, that though secret sins may escape the eyes of our fellow-creatures, yet a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, who not only sees, but ponders all his goings. Those who are so foolish as to choose the way of sin, are justly left of God to themselves, to go on in the way to destruction.

Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. Or "they shall be thine own" (u), as the Targum; meaning not the cistern, the well, or the wife, but the fountains and rivers, or the children; by a man's cleaving to his own wife, who is a chaste and virtuous woman, he is satisfied that the children he has by her are his own, and not another's; whereas if he has to do with a common harlot, it is uncertain whose children they are, she prostituting herself to many: it may be applied to the peculiar possession and steadfast retention of the truths of the Gospel, in opposition to all divers and strange doctrines propagated by others; see Revelation 2:25 . (u) "erunt tui", Mercerus, Cocceius; "erunt tibi", Baynus; "existent tibi", Schultens.

Verse 17. - Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. By confining yourself to chaste intercourse with your lawful wife, be assured that your offspring is your own. Promiscuous and unlawful intercourse throws doubt upon the paternity of children. Thy children may be thine, they may belong to another. The natural pride which is felt in a legitimate offspring is the motive put forward to commend the husband to confine himself exclusively to his wife. Grotius on this verse remarks, "Ibi sere ubi prolem metas" - "Sow there where you may reap an offspring." Them ; i.e. the children referred to figuratively in the preceding verse, from which the subject of this verse is supplied. The repetition of the pronoun which occurs in the original, "let them belong to thee, to thee," is emphatic, and exclusive of others. The latter clause of the verse, "and not strangers' with thee," covers the whole ground. The idea of their being strangers' is repulsive, and so gives further point to the exhortation. Proverbs 5:17

That such matters as there are thought of, is manifest from this verse. As זרע comprehends with the cause (sperma) the effect (posterity), so, in Proverbs 5:16 , with the effusio roboris virilis is connected the idea of the beginnings of life. For the subjects of Proverbs 5:17 are the effusiones seminis named in Proverbs 5:16 . These in their effects ( Proverbs 5:17 ) may belong to thee alone, viz., to thee alone (לבדּך, properly in thy separateness) within thy married relation, not, as thou hast fellowship with other women, to different family circles, Aben-Ezra rightly regards as the subject, for he glosses thus: הפלגים שׁהם הבנים הבשׁרים, and Immanuel well explains יהיוּ־לך by יתיחסו לך. The child born out of wedlock belongs not to the father alone, he knows not to whom it belongs; its father must for the sake of his honour deny it before the world. Thus, as Grotius remarks: ibi sere ubi prolem metas. In ואין the יהיו is continued. It is not thus used adverbially for לא, as in the old classic Arabic lyas for l' (Fl.), but it carries in it the force of a verb, so that יהיו, according to rule, in the sense of ולא היו equals ולא יהיו, continues it.

The sin of covetousness marks the sluggard, as the virtue of benevolence the righteous. 27. God regards the heart, and hypocrisy is more odious than open inconsistency. wicked mind —or, "design" (Proverbs 1:4). 28. (Compare Proverbs 19:5). that heareth —or heeds instruction, and so grows wise. speaketh constantly —or sincerely (compare Habakkuk 1:5), and hence is believed (Proverbs 12:19; James 1:19). 29. hardeneth his face —is obstinate. directeth … way —considers it, and acts advisedly. 30, 31. Men's best devices and reliances are vain compared with God's, or without His aid (Proverbs 19:21; Psalms 20:7; 33:17). ## CHAPTER 22 Proverbs 22:1-29. 1. A good name —(Job 30:8, Hebrew ); "good" is supplied here from Ecclesiastes 7:1. loving favour —kind regard, that is, of the wise and good. 2. Before God all are on the same footing (Proverbs 14:31; 17:5). 3. are punished —that is, for their temerity; for the evil is not necessarily punitive, as the prudent might otherwise be its objects. 4. humility and the fear of the Lord —are in apposition; one produces the other. On the results, compare Proverbs 3:16; 8:18. 5. he that … them —Those who properly watch over their own souls are thus preserved from the dangers which attend the way of perverse men (Proverbs 16:17). 6. Train —initiate, or early instruct. the way —literally, "his way," that selected for him in which he should go; for early training secures habitual walking in it. 7.

excellent things —or probably of former times. counsels and knowledge —both advice and instruction. 21. Specially he desires to secure accuracy, so that his pupil may teach others. 22, 23. Here follow ten precepts of two verses each. Though men fail to defend the poor, God will (Proverbs 17:5; Psalms 12:5). in the gate —place of public gathering (Job 5:4; Psalms 69:12). 24, 25. (Compare Proverbs 2:12-15; 4:14). 25. a snare … soul —The unsuspecting are often misled by bad company. 26, 27. (Compare Proverbs 6:1; 17:18). 27. should he take, &c.—that is, the creditor. 28. (Compare Proverbs 23:10). Do not entrench on others (Deuteronomy 19:14; 27:17). 29. Success rewards diligence (Proverbs 10:4; 21:5). ## CHAPTER 23 Proverbs 23:1-35. 1. Avoid the dangers of gluttony. 2. put a knife —an Eastern figure for putting restraint on the appetite. 3. are deceitful meat —though well tasted, injurious. 4, 5. (Compare 1 Timothy 6:9, 10). thine own wisdom —which regards riches intrinsically as a blessing. 5. Wilt … eyes —As the eyes fly after or seek riches, they are not, that is, either become transitory or unsatisfying; fully expressed by their flying away. 6-8. Beware of deceitful men, whose courtesies even you will repent of having accepted. evil eye —or purpose (Proverbs 22:9; Deuteronomy 15:9; Matthew 6:23). ## 8. The morsel … words —that is, disgusted with his true character, all pleasant intercourse will be destroyed. 9. (Compare Proverbs 9:8). "Cast not your pearls before swine" (Matthew 7:6). 10, 11.

[Creeds] That I, not wanting to endanger my own salvation, avoid and shun all idolatry, 1 sorcery, superstitious rites, 2 and prayer to saints or to other creatures. 3 That I rightly know the only true God, 4 trust him alone, 5 and look to God for every good thing 6 humbly 7 and patiently, 8 and love, 9 fear, 10 and honor 11 God with all my heart. In short, that I give up anything rather than go against God’s will in any way. 12 1 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 10:5-14; 1 John 5:21 2 Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:9-12 3 Matthew 4:10; Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9 4 John 17:3 5 Jeremiah 17:5, 7 6 Psalms 104:27-28; James 1:17 7 1 Peter 5:5-6 8 Colossians 1:11; Hebrews 10:36 9 Matthew 22:37 (Deuteronomy 6:5) 10 Proverbs 9:10; 1 Peter 1:17 11 Matthew 4:10 (Deuteronomy 6:13) 12 Matthew 5:29-30; 10:37-39 ## 95 Q. What is idolatry? A. Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed himself in the Word. 1 1 1 Chron. 16:26; Galatians 4:8-9; Ephesians 5:5; Philippians 3:19 ## 96 Q. What is God’s will for us in the second commandment? A. That we in no way make any image of God 1 nor worship him in any other way than has been commanded in God’s Word. 2 1 Deuteronomy 4:15-19; Isaiah 40:18-25; Acts 17:29; Romans 1:22-23 2 Leviticus 10:1-7; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; John 4:23-24 ## 97 Q. May we then not make any image at all? A. God can not and may not be visibly portrayed in any way