Proverbs 6:18

6:12-19 If the slothful are to be condemned, who do nothing, much more those that do all the ill they can. Observe how such a man is described. He says and does every thing artfully, and with design. His ruin shall come without warning, and without relief. Here is a list of things hateful to God. Those sins are in a special manner provoking to God, which are hurtful to the comfort of human life. These things which God hates, we must hate in ourselves; it is nothing to hate them in others. Let us shun all such practices, and watch and pray against them; and avoid, with marked disapproval, all who are guilty of them, whatever may be their rank.

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,.... Or, "thoughts of wickedness" (e); which are framed and formed in the heart: and this being the source and fountain of all wickedness, is placed in the midst of these hateful and abominable things; See Gill on Proverbs 6:14 ; evil thoughts and designs, both against God and men, are intended, which are forged and fabricated in the wicked heart of man; and may respect the depths of Satan in the antichristian beast of Rome, Revelation 2:24 ; feet that be swift in running to mischief; to commit all manner of sin with greediness, especially murder; see Proverbs 1:16. (e) "cogitationes iniquitatis", Montanus; "cogitationes vanitatis", Cocceius.

A new section, but not a new subject. The closing words, "he that soweth discord" ( Proverbs 6:19 , compare Proverbs 6:14 ), lead us to identify the sketch as taken from the same character. With the recognized Hebrew form of climax (see Proverbs 30:15 , Proverbs 30:18 , Proverbs 30:24 ; Amos 1:1-15 ; 2; Job 5:19 ), the teacher here enumerates six qualities as detestable, and the seventh as worse than all (seven represents completeness), but all the seven in this instance belong to one man, the man of Belial Proverbs 6:12 .

Verse 18. - The fourth thing is an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations. "Wicked imaginations" are literally "thoughts of iniquity;" Hebrew, makh'sh'voth aven ; Vulgate, cogitationes pessimas ; LXX., λογισμοὺς κακοὺς . The same expression in Isaiah 59:7 is rendered "thoughts of iniquity." (On deviseth , Hebrew khoresh , see ver. 14 and ch. 3:29.) The thought is a repetition of ver. 14 a . There are evil thoughts in all men's hearts; but the devising, fabricating of them, and thus making the heart into a devil's workshop, is the mark of utter depravity and wickedness, and is abhorrent to God. The devices of the heart, though planned in secret, are clear to him "to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are bid." The peculiar position which the heart occupies in the enumeration is to be accounted for on the ground that it is the fountain, not only of those vices which have been already mentioned, but of those which follow. The fifth thing is feet that be swift in running to mischief. Again we are reminded of Isaiah 59:7 , "Their feet run to evil." "Mischief" (Hebrew, ra ) is a re-echo of ver. 14 and Proverbs 1:16 . "To run to mischief" is to carry out with alacrity and without delay what has already been devised in the heart. It implies more than falling or sliding into sin, which is common to all. It denotes, Cornelius a Lapide remarks, "inexplebilem sceleris aviditatem, et destinatum studium." Proverbs 6:18

The fourth characteristic is a deceitful heart. On חרשׁ, vid., Proverbs 6:14 , Proverbs 3:29 , and on אין, Proverbs 6:12 . The fifth: feet running with haste to evil; לרעה as לרע in Isaiah 59:7 , echoing the distich Proverbs 1:16 , as here, 17b and 18b. The connection מהר לרוּץ, propere cucurrit (contrast אחר ל), is equivalent to רץ מהר.

name of the Lord —manifested perfections (Psalms 8:1; 20:2), as faithfulness, power, mercy, &c., on which men rely. is safe —literally, "set on high, out of danger" (Psalms 18:2; 91:4). 11. contrasts with Proverbs 18:10 (compare Proverbs 10:15). Such is a vain trust (compare Psalms 73:6). 12. (Compare Proverbs 15:33; 16:18). 13. Hasty speech evinces self-conceit, and ensures shame (Proverbs 26:12). 14. infirmity —bodily sickness, or outward evil. The spirit, which sustains, being wounded, no support is left, except, as implied, in God. 15. (Compare Proverbs 1:5, 15, 31). 16. (Compare Proverbs 17:8, 23). Disapproval of the fact stated is implied. 17. One-sided statements are not reliable. searcheth —thoroughly (Proverbs 17:9, 19). 18. The lot —whose disposal is of God (Proverbs 16:13), may, properly used, be a right mode of settling disputes. 19. No feuds so difficult of adjustment as those of relatives; hence great care should be used to avoid them. 20. (Compare Proverbs 12:14; 13:2). Men's words are the fruit, or, increase of his lips, and when good, benefit them. satisfied with —(Compare Proverbs 1:31; 14:14). 21. Death and life —or, the greatest evil and good. that love it —that is, the tongue, or its use for good or evil. eat … fruit —(Compare Proverbs 18:19; James 1:19). 22. The old versions supply "good" before the "wife," as the last clause and Proverbs 19:14 imply (compare Proverbs 31:10). 23. the rich … roughly —He is tolerated because rich, implying that the estimate of men by wealth is wrong. 24.

All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts. 12. (Compare Proverbs 9:8). go unto the wise —to be instructed. 13. maketh … countenance —or, "benefits the countenance." spirit is broken —and so the countenance is sad. 14. (Compare Proverbs 10:21, 22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Proverbs 9:9). 15. The state of the heart governs the outward condition. evil —sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast. 16. trouble —agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Proverbs 16:18; 1 Timothy 6:6). 17. dinner —or, "allowance" (2 Kings 25:30)— of herbs —and that the plainest. and hatred —(compare Proverbs 10:12, 18). 18. (Compare Proverbs 14:29; 16:32). 19. The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a plain [and open] way —literally, "a highway," by diligence (1 Samuel 10:7; Psalms 1:3). 20. (Compare Proverbs 10:1). 21. walketh uprightly —and so finds his joy (Proverbs 3:6; 10:23). 22. Without counsel —or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness. 23. Good advice blesses the giver and receiver. 24. (Compare Colossians 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils. 25. The most desolate who have God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner (Proverbs 2:22; 12:7). border —or, "boundary for possessions" (Psalms 78:54). 26. are pleasant words —that is, pleasing to God (Proverbs 8:8, 9). 27. (Compare Proverbs 11:17).