Bridges on Proverbs 19:25
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 19:25
 
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25.  Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. {will beware: Heb. will be cunning}
 
There is a difference of opinion upon the profit of punishments. Some will have it, that, if the will does not give way to reason, forced obedience is of little use. But God's word and ordinance is our standard, though great wisdom is required in the measure and adaptation. Two kinds are here mentioned; each measured out according to the character of the offender, but both wholesome in their results. The scorner is a bold sinner. Smite him, that the simple may beware. (Chapter 21:11. Acts 13:6-12.) It may be a timely warning to those that are led by him. The taking the ring-leader of a mischievous party may put an end to the combination. This is the benefit of laws. Often an example made, though the sinner himself continues hardened, is for the good of the whole body. Thus ‘God strikes some, that he may warn all.’†
But a man of understanding reprove. There is no occasion to smite. “A reproof entereth more into a wise man, than a hundred stripes into a fool.” (Chapter 17:10; 15:5.) In the scorner's case, the profit is to others. In the wise man's, it is to himself. He will understand knowledge. (Chapter 9:8, 9.) His wisdom enables him to profit, and to be thankful for the seasonable check. (Psalm 141:5.) Never let us forget the mercy of being kept from sin, or being restored from it, though it be by our Master's sharp and gracious rebuke — “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent.” (Revelation 3:19.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 21:11
11 ¶ When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
 
Acts 13:6-12
6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: 7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
 
 
Footnote:
Bishop Hall. Compare Exodus 18:10, 11. Deuteronomy 13:11; 19:20; 21:21. Acts 5:1-11. Revelation 11:13.
 
 
Bishop Hall. Compare
Exodus 18:10, 11
10 And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.
 
Deuteronomy 13:11
11 And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.
 
Deuteronomy 19:20
20 And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
 
Deuteronomy 21:21
21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.
 
Acts 5:1-11
1 ¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? {to lie to: or, to deceive} 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. 11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
 
Revelation 11:13
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. {of men: Gr. names of men}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 17:10
10 ¶ A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. {entereth...: or, aweth more a wise man, than to strike a fool an hundred times}
 
Proverbs 15:5
5 ¶ A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
 
 
Proverbs 9:8, 9
8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
 
 
Psalm 141:5
5 ¶ Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. {me; it shall be a...: or, me kindly, and reprove me; let not their precious oil break, etc}
 
 
Revelation 3:19
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.