Bridges on Proverbs 14:30
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 14:30
 
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30.  A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
 
Many will admit religion to be good for the soul. But they conceive its fancied gloom to be injurious to the body. The wise man, however, teaches, that it is the life of the flesh. (Chapter 3:7, 8.) And surely a sound heart, freed from corroding passions, and imbued with Christian habits, though it will not bring immortality, must be eminently conductive to health.† The contrast, however, here distinguishes a sound heart by the absence of selfishness,† and rejoicing in another's happiness or honour. (Numbers 11:29.) Envy, on the other hand, is wounded by our neighbour's prosperity. (Genesis 26:14. 1 Samuel 18:9.) His ruin, or at least his injury, would give pleasure. It sickens at hearing of his praises, and repines at his very virtues. Something is always wrong in his conduct, something at least, which, if it does not deserve blame, greatly detracts from his intolerable praise. This evil is indeed the deadliest fruit of selfishness. Nothing flourishes under its shade. (James 3:16.) Often is it a fretting sickness (Esther 6:6, 12.), or a pining despondency (Psalm 112:10), like the destruction of the bodily system by the rottenness of the bones. ‘Truly’ — as Bishop Hall observes — ‘this vice is executioner enough to itself!’† Such a hell does the man carry in his own bosom! Alas! that this plant should be the growth of our own soil.† So contrary is it to the mind of Christ (Romans 13:13), and to the spirit of his gospel. (1 Corinthians 13:4.) So surely will it exclude from heaven! (Galatians 5:21.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 3:7, 8
7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. {health: Heb. medicine} {marrow: Heb. watering, or, moistening}
 
 
Footnote:
The soul disburdened of passions and perturbations, helpeth strength an liveliness of body very much. — Diodati.
 
 
Footnote:
‘Cor sanator’ — Schultens — a benevolent heart.
 
 
Numbers 11:29
29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!
 
 
Genesis 26:14
14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him. {servants: or, husbandry}
 
1 Samuel 18:9
9 And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
 
 
James 3:16
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. {confusion: Gr. tumult, or, unquietness}
 
 
Esther 6:6, 12
6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? {whom the king...: Heb. in whose honour the king delighteth} 12 ¶ And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.
 
 
Psalm 112:10
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
 
 
Footnote:
Sermon on Romans 12:2. — Works, v. 251.
 
 
Romans 12:2
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
 
 
Footnote:
Mark 7:22, ‘evil eye,’ James 4:5.
 
 
Mark 7:22
22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: {covetousness...: Gr. covetousnesses, wickednesses}
 
James 4:5
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? {to envy: or, enviously?}
 
 
Romans 13:13
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. {honestly: or, decently}
 
 
1 Corinthians 13:4
4 ¶ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, {vaunteth...: or, is not rash}
 
 
Galatians 5:21
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.