Bridges on Proverbs 14:21
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 14:21
 
 1 
 2 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 7 
 8 
 9 
 10 
 11 
 12 
 13 
 14 
 15 
 16 
 17 
 18 
 19 
 20 
 21 
 22 
 23 
 24 
 25 
 26 
 27 
 28 
 29 
 30 
 31 
 32 
 33 
 34 
 35 
 
21.  He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
 
The last proverb shewed the general standard of selfishness. Here we see its positive sinfulness. Some men are so high, that they cannot see their lower brother. Yet infinitely precious and honoured may be this despised one in the Savior's eyes as the purchase of his blood. And what a span is the distance between him and his most elevated fellow-creature, compared with the infinite space between him and his God! Yet doth he “that dwelleth on high,” instead of despising, write his name upon him, “raise him from the dust, and lift him out of the dunghill, that he may set him with the princes of his people.” (Psalm 113:7, 8.) The plain command is — “Honour all men” (1 Peter 2:17), not all with equal measure; but in all honour our own nature, the remains, however defaced, of the image of God. To look therefore upon the meanest, as if he were made to be despised, shews a want of wisdom, and a want of heart. (Chapter 11:12.) ‘Because we think we over-top him, therefore to think we may overlook him,’† and neglect to have mercy on him (Chapter 21:13. James 2:16) — this is reflecting on God's own Providence (Verse 31); forgetting his example (2 Corinthians 8:9); setting up our own judgment against his; sinning against his law of love. (James 2:1-9.) And most fearfully will he visit this sin at the day of recompense. (Job 31:13-15. Matthew 25:42-45.)
But oh! the felicities of him that hath mercy on the poor;† “hoping for nothing again” (Luke 6:35); constrained by love to Christ and his fellow-sinners! ‘He shall be happy beyond expression.’† Does not every exercise of love enlarge our own happiness? (Chapter 11:17.) Do we not ourselves richly feed on the bread, with which we “feed the hungry?” (Isaiah 58:7.) And will not the great day declare and honour every act of love for our Divine Master? (Matthew 25:35-40.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Psalm 113:7, 8
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; 8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
 
 
1 Peter 2:17
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. {Honour all: or, Esteem all}
 
 
Proverbs 11:12
12 ¶ He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. {void...: Heb. destitute of heart}
 
 
Footnote:
Bishop Sanderson on Romans 14:3.
 
 
Romans 14:3
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
 
 
Proverbs 21:13
13 ¶ Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
 
James 2:16
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
 
 
Proverbs 14:31
31 ¶ He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
 
 
2 Corinthians 8:9
9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
 
 
James 2:1-9
1 ¶ My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; {assembly: Gr. synagogue} 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: {in...: or, well, or, seemly} 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? {of the: or, of that} 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? {blaspheme: or, revile, or, slander} 8 ¶ If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
 
 
Job 31:13-15
13 If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; 14 What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? 15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb? {did not one...: or, did he not fashion us in one womb?}
 
Matthew 25:42-45
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
 
 
Footnote:
Compare Psalm 41:3; 112:9. Jeremiah 22:16. Daniel 4:27. Matthew 5:7.
 
 
Compare
Psalm 41:3
3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. {make: Heb. turn}
 
Psalm 112:9
9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
 
Jeremiah 22:16
16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.
 
Daniel 4:27
27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. {a lengthening...: or, an healing of thine error}
 
Matthew 5:7
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
 
 
Luke 6:35
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
 
 
Footnote:
Scott. ‘At qui miseretur inopum, O beatitudines illius!’ — Schultens. Holden also marks the peculiar emphasis of this pronoun.
 
 
Proverbs 11:17
17 ¶ The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
 
 
Isaiah 58:7
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? {cast...: or, afflicted}
 
 
Matthew 25:35-40
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.