Bridges on Proverbs 27:2
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 27:2
 
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2.  Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
 
‘Praise’ — says an old expositor — ‘is a comely garment. But though thyself doth wear it, another must put it on, or else it will never sit well about thee. Praise is sweet music, but it is never tuneable in thine own mouth. If it cometh from the mouth of another, it soundeth most tuneably in the ears of all that hear it. Praise is a rich treasure, but it will never make thee rich unless another tell the same.’† Indeed — except as the vindication of our character,† or our Master's honor connected with it,† may require — nothing so degrades a man with his fellow-men, as setting out his own praise. For though every man is his own flatterer (Chapter 20:6), yet men usually know how to estimate pride in others, while they cherish it in themselves. “The things that are of good report — think of them to do them.” (Philippians 4:8.) But “let our works,” not our tongues, “praise us in the gates.”† And while our works shine, see to it, that ourselves be hid. “Confess your faults one to another.”† But leave to another to speak our praise. ‘Scarce any shew themselves to advantage, who are over-solicitous to do so.’†
Our name will lose nothing by this self-renouncing spirit. If our own mouth be silent, another's will be opened. John was “unworthy” in his own eyes to “unloose the latchet of his Master's shoes.” Yet did his Lord's mouth proclaim him as “the greatest of all that had been born of women.”† The centurion spoke of himself, as “not worthy that Christ should come under his roof.” Yet did the elders testify that “he was worthy for whom he should do this.” Yea — the Savior's own mouth confirmed the testimony — “I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel.”† Luke mentions nothing in his records to his own credit. Yet another praises him warmly as “the beloved physician,” and his sole faithful companion in his trials.†
Self-seeking is a shameful blot upon a Christian profession. What! Shall one that has said before God — “Behold, I am vile”! — be ready to say before his fellow-men — “Come, see my zeal for the LORD”† — Come, see how humble I am! Oh! for the self-abased spirit of our glorious Master — ever ready to endure reproach: but never “receiving honor from men;” never “seeking his own glory.” (John 5:41; 8:50.) Contrast what God shews us of ourselves in the closet with our “fair show in the flesh.” And will this not put self-complacency to shame? Surely that we are so little really humble, is matter enough for the deepest humiliation.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Jermin.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Samuel 12:3. Psalm 7:3-5. 2 Corinthians 1:17-19.
 
 
1 Samuel 12:3
3 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. {bribe: Heb. ransom} {to blind...: or, that I should hide mine eyes at him}
 
Psalm 7:3-5
3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; 4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
 
2 Corinthians 1:17-19
17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay?
 
 
Footnote:
2 Corinthians 11:5-12; 12:11. ‘St. Paul was put upon it, to speak of himself more than he chose to do; and when he speaks of things concerning himself, he puts in ever and anon, “I speak as a fool” — intimating, that unless there be very great cause, whoever talks much of himself, talks like a fool.’ — Whichcote's Sermons.
 
 
2 Corinthians 11:5-12
5 ¶ For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things. 7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. 9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. {no man...: Gr. this boasting shall not be stopped in me} 11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
 
2 Corinthians 12:11
11 ¶ I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 20:6
6 ¶ Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? {goodness: or, bounty}
 
 
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {honest: or, venerable}
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 31:31. Ruth 3:11.
 
 
Proverbs 31:31
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
 
Ruth 3:11
11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman. {city: Heb. gate}
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 25:27. Matthew 5:16. James 5:16.
 
 
Proverbs 25:27
27 ¶ It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
 
Matthew 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
 
James 5:16
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
 
 
Footnote:
Bp. Butler.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 3:11. John 3:30, with Matthew 11:11. John 5:35.
 
 
Matthew 3:11
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
 
John 3:30
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
 
with
Matthew 11:11
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
 
John 5:35
35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 8:8; with Luke 7:3, 4, 9.
 
 
Matthew 8:8
8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
 
with
Luke 7:3, 4, 9
3 And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.
4 And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:
9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
 
 
Footnote:
Colossians 4:14. 2 Timothy 4:11. It was a fine touch in Sallust's portrait of Cato — ‘He would rather be, than seem to be, a good man; so that the less he sought glory, the more he obtained it.’
 
 
Colossians 4:14
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
 
2 Timothy 4:11
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
 
 
Footnote:
Job 40:4. 2 Kings 10:16.
 
 
Job 40:4
4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
 
2 Kings 10:16
16 And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD. So they made him ride in his chariot.
 
 
John 5:41
41 I receive not honour from men.
 
John 8:50
50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.