Bridges on Proverbs 12:12
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 12:12
 
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12.  The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. {the net: or, the fortress}
 
Man is always restless to press onwards to something not yet enjoyed. The Christian reaches forth to higher privileges and increasing holiness. (Philippians 3:12-14.) The wicked emulate each other in wickedness; and if they see evil men more successful than themselves, they desire their net (Psalm 10:8-10. Jeremiah 5:26-28); to discover their plans, in order to imitate them. Not satisfied with the honest “gain of godliness,” they desire a net, in which they may grasp richer treasures of this world's vanity. (1 Timothy 6:10.) The history of the Church strongly illustrates this energy of sin; Infidelity and Popery; one net following another with more crafty device. Such is the root of evil, fraught with destruction. But the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit — true, solid, abundant fruit; not always visible, but always acceptable. (Hebrews 13:15, 16.) Dependence on Christ is the source of this blessing; necessary in order to fruit,† and never failing to produce it. (John 15:5) The spiritual branches ‘are nourished and increased by the living root of God's grace and blessing.’†
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
 
 
Psalm 10:8-10
8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. {are...: Heb. hide themselves} 9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. {secretly: Heb. in the secret places} 10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. {He...: Heb. He breaketh himself} {by...: or, into his strong parts}
 
Jeremiah 5:26-28
26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. {they lay...: or, they pry as fowlers lie in wait} 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. {cage: or, coop} 28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
 
 
1 Timothy 6:10.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. {erred: or, been seduced}
 
 
Hebrews 13:15, 16
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. {giving...: Gr. confessing to} 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
 
 
Footnote:
John 15:4. Romans 7:4. It was the remark of a venerable relative of the Writer's, who was never suspected of enthusiasm — ‘As surely as the vine-branch can have no powers, independent of the root; so surely cannot the Christian think, act, or live, as such, but only so far as he derives his abilities from the stock, on which he is engrafted.’ — The Rev. William Jones’ (Nayland) Enquiry upon the Spring, p. 36.
 
 
John 15:4
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
 
Romans 7:4
4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
 
 
John 15:5
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. {without me: or, severed from me}
 
 
Footnote:
Diodati.