Clarke's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 9:4
Verse 4. Whoso is simple ] Let the young, heedless, and giddy attend to my teaching. Him that wanteth understanding ] Literally, he that wanteth a heart; who is without couraye, is feeble and fickle, and easily drawn aside from the holy commandment.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither , etc.] Into Wisdom’s house, so well built and furnished; the church of Christ, as a house of instruction; a school, where such who are “simple”, weak, and foolish, may learn. Here are many instructors; saints instruct one another; ministers of the word are teachers; yea, Father, Son, and Spirit, here teach and instruct, and none teach like them. Here many lessons are to be learned concerning themselves, concerning Christ, and concerning their duty to God and men; all sorts of persons may learn here, such who know ever so much or ever so little. Or let him turn in here, as into an inn, into which passengers or travellers turn for accommodations; (see Proverbs 9:15,16). The saints are travellers here, at a distance from their Father’s house, and need refreshment by the way; the church of God is an inn of good accommodations; here is room enough to entertain them; here are good lodgings for rest and safety, and good provisions, and all of free cost. And now these are the words of Wisdom, or Christ, either in person, or by his maidens, his ministers, inviting such who are “simple” to turn in hither, and partake of the provisions in it; that is, not such who are quite stupid and insensible, sottish, incorrigible, and irreclaimable; but who are sensible of their folly and simplicity; who are but of weak capacities, apt to be credulous, and so easily imposed upon and deceived; [as for] him that wanteth understanding ; not the natural faculty of the understanding, nor an understanding of things natural and civil; but of things spiritual and evangelical, as of the grace of God; of salvation by Christ; of the work of the Spirit; of themselves and their state; of the Gospel, and the mysteries of it; and who are sensible of their ignorance and want of understanding; which is the first thing the Spirit of God convinces men of; or who are so in comparison of others, are weak in knowledge and experience. Now these Christ does not despise, but invites them into his house for instruction; and where can they be better? and who so fit and proper to be here, and be with Wisdom, than such as these? she saith to him : as follows.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-12 - Christ has prepared ordinances to which his people are admitted, and by which nourishment is given here to those that believe in him, as wel as mansions in heaven hereafter. The ministers of the gospel go fort to invite the guests. The call is general, and shuts out none that d not shut out themselves. Our Saviour came, not to call the righteous but sinners; not the wise in their own eyes, who say they see. We mus keep from the company and foolish pleasures of the ungodly, or we neve can enjoy the pleasures of a holy life. It is vain to seek the compan of wicked men in the hope of doing them good; we are far more likely to be corrupted by them. It is not enough to forsake the foolish, we mus join those that walk in wisdom. There is no true wisdom but in the way of religion, no true life but in the end of that way. Here is the happiness of those that embrace it. A man cannot be profitable to God it is for our own good. Observe the shame and ruin of those who sligh it. God is not the Author of sin: and Satan can only tempt, he cannot force. Thou shalt bear the loss of that which thou scornest: it wil add to thy condemnation.
Original Hebrew
מי 4310 פתי 6612 יסר 5493 הנה 2008 חסר 2638 לב 3820 אמרה׃ 559
