The Pulpit Commentary — Proverbs — Section 287

is not directed right;" the fool goes astrlly, Vulgate, Doctl'ina mala deserenti viam vitro. nnd le!lds himself and others into error. The sinner is 1mnoyed hy disoipline, correo- Septuagint, "The hearts of fools arc not tion, or true teaohing, bec11use they curb the safe (&ucpa1',,s)." indulgence of his pe.ssions, make him un- Ver. 8.-The se.ori1ioe of the wicked is an easy in conscience, and force him to look to 3bomination unto the Lord. The costly future issues. Septuagint, "The instruc- s!lcrific.e of the wicked is contrasted with tion of the guileless ( "'"l.,cou) is known by the prayer, unaccompanied with S!lcrifice, passers-by; but they who hate reproofs die of the upright. The first cl11use occurs shamefully." The Syria.a adopts the same again in eh. xxi. 27, nnd virtually in eh. rendering; but it is a question whether the xx.iii. 9. But in the latter pa~sage the word ought not to be 1<a.tcov. Mene.nder prayer of the wicked is denounced ns says- abomination. Sacrifice, as legal and cere- •o µ.'I, 8ap,ls lfv8pt.nro• ob ,ra,Seoe'TUI. monial, would be more naturally open to the charge of deadness and unreality; while '' Man unchastised learns naught." prnyer, as spontaneous and not legally en- Ver. 11.-Rell and destruction are before joined, might be deemed less liable to for- the Lord. The two words rendered "hell" malism; all the more hateful, therefore, it is and " destruction" are respectively Sheol and if 1,ot offered from the heart. The worth- Abaddon, Inje;rnus and Perditio, uA,811• and lessness of external worship without obedi- &1r~i\.<1a (comp. eh. xxvii. 20). The former ence and devotion of the heart is often is used generally as the place to which the urged by the prophets (see 1 Sam. xv. 22; souls of the dead are consigned-the receptacle Isa. i. 11, eto.; J er. vi. 20; Hos. v. 6; Amos of all departed spirits, whether good or bad. ,. 22; see also Ecclus. xxxi. IS, etc.). The Abaddon is the lowest depth of hell, the lesson was needed that the value of sacrifice "abyss" of Luke viii. 31; Rev. ix. 2, etc. ; depended upon the mind and disposition of xx. I, etc. The clause means that God's the offerer, the tendency being to rest in eye penetrates even the most secret corners the opus operatum, as if the externe.l action of the unseen world. As Job (xxvi. 6) was all that was necessary to make the says, "Sheol is naked before him, and Abad- worshipper accepted. This text was wrested don bath no covering" (comp. Pa. cxxxix. by the Dona.tiBts to support their notion of 7, etc.). Row much more then the hee.rts of the inefficacy of heretical baptism. St. the ohildren of men 1 (For the form of the Augustine replied that the validity of the expression, comp. eh. xi. 31 and xix. 7; e.nd sacrament depended not on the spiritue.l for the import, eh. xvi. 2; xxi. 2; Jer. xvii. condition of the miniGter, but on the appoint- 10.) If God knows the secrets of the world ment of C,'hrist. The text has al.so been beyond the grave, much more does he know applied to confirm the opinion that all the the secret thoughts of men on earth. The acts of unjustified man are sin. The truer heart is the source of action (see Matt. xv. view is that God's grace does act beyond 19, etc.). ihe limits of his visible Church, and that Ver. 12.-A soomer loveth not one that the inspiration of the Holy Spirit concurs reproveth him ( eh. ix. 8 ; Amos v. 10). For with the free-will of man before he is for- "scorner" the Vulgate bas pestilens, and mally justified. The second clause recurs the Septu11gint cl,ra/Bwros, "undisci pi ined." virtual! y in ver. 29. "Scorners" are spoken of elsewhere, as eh. Ver. 9.-This verse gives the reason for i. 22 (where see note); they are conceited, the treatment specified in the preceding arrogant persons, free-thinkers, indifferent verse ( comp. eh. x.i. 20; xii. 22). Followeth to or sceptical of religion, and too self- after; chaseth, implying effort and persever- opinionated to be open to advice or reproof. ance, as in the pursuit of game ( eh. xi. 19; Neither will he go unto the wise, who xxi. 21). would correct and tee.eh him ( eh. xiii. 20). Ver. 10.-Correction is grievous unto him Septuagint," He will not converse (bµ.,1'-~<TH) that forse.keth the way. The verse is cli- with the wise." He does not believe the macteric, and the first clause is better trans- max:im- lated, There i8 a grie-oous correctwn for him ::::foq,oii ,ra.p' avBpos XP¾ ,roq,&v 'TI µ.av8dvell'. that forsaketh the way; then the second clause denotes what that correction is: be " From a wise man you must some wisdom that hateth reproof--i.e. be that forsaketb lee.rn." tbe wa.y-tihall die. "The way" is \he A Le.tin adage runs- path of goodness and righteousness ( eh. ii. " Argue consul tum, te diliget; argue stultum 13). "The way of life," the_ Vulgat.e calls Avertet vultum, nee te dimittet inultnm."' it; so eh. x. 17. Ecc!lll!. :u.1. 6, "Ho that b11.teth reproof is in the way of sinners." Ver. 13.-A merry heart maketh a oheerful The Authorized Version is quite allowable, oountene.noe. The face is the index of the and is supported i11 some degree by the condition of the mind. OH, XV. 1-33.] THE PROVERBS. 293