Proverbs 1:4

To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. TO GIVE SUBTILTY TO THE SIMPLE, TO THE YOUNG MAN KNOWLEDGE AND DISCRETION. "Subtilty," shrewdness, not in the sense of worldly cunning, but that knowledge which will put one on his guard against the subtle snares of the world; as Jesus told His disciples, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16). The "simple" are the inexperienced, those "who want understanding" (Proverbs 7:7; Proverbs 9:4; Proverbs 14:15). The antithesi...

1-6 The lessons here given are plain, and likely to benefit those who feel their own ignorance, and their need to be taught. If young people take heed to their ways, according to Solomon's Proverbs, they will gain knowledge and discretion. Solomon speaks of the most important points of truth, and a greater than Solomon is here. Christ speaks by his word and by his Spirit. Christ is the Word and the Wisdom of God, and he is made to us wisdom....

Verse Proverbs 1:4. _TO GIVE SUBTILTY TO THE SIMPLE_] The word _simple_, from _simplex_, compounded of _sine_, without, and _plica_, a fold, properly signifies _plain_ and _honest_, one that has no _by-ends_ in view, who is _what he appears to be_; and is opposed to _complex_, from _complico_, to _fold together_, to make _one rope_ or _cord_ out of _many strands_; but because _honesty_ and _plaindealing_ are so rare in the world, and none but the _truly religious man_ will practice them, farther than the _fear of the law_ obliges him, hence _simple_ has sunk into a state of progressive deterioration. At first, it signified, as above, _without fold, unmixed,_ _uncompounded_: this was its _radical_ meaning. Then, as applied to _men_, it signified innocent, harmless, without...

This verse points out the two classes for which the book will be useful: (1) the “simple,” literally the “open,” the open-hearted, the minds ready to receive impressions for good or evil Proverbs 1:22; and (2) the “young,” who need both knowledge and discipline. To these the teacher offers the “subtilty,” which may turn to evil Exodus 21:14 and become as the wisdom of the serpent Genesis 3:1, but which also takes its place, as that wisdom does, among the highest moral gifts Matthew 10:16; the “knowledge” of go

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 1:1 PART I. THE TITLE AND SUPERSCRIPTION. The superscription of the Proverbs, which extends from verse 1 to verse 6, furnishes us with an epitome in short and concise language of the general scope and bearing of the book, and points out its specific utility, both to the inexperienced and to those already wise. Thus (1) in Proverbs 1:1 it gives the name of the author to whom the proverbs are attributed; (2) in Proverbs 1:2 it declares the aim, object, or design of the collection, which is to lead to the acquirement of wisdom genera

TO GIVE SUBTLETY TO THE SIMPLE,.... Men of mean abilities, weak capacities, shallow understandings, incautious, credulous, and easily imposed upon: these, by attending to what is herein contained, may arrive to a serpentine subtlety; though they are simple and harmless as doves, may become as wise as serpents; may attain to an exquisite knowledge of divine things and know even more than the wise and sage philosophers among the Gentiles, or any of the Rabbins and masters of Israel; or any of the princes of this world, whose wisdom comes to nought; and become very cautious and circumspect how they are drawn aside by the old serpent the devil, or by such who lie in wait to deceive; and perform their duty both to God and man; TO THE YOUNG MAN KNOWLEDGE AND DISCRETION; or "thought" i; who wants both: this book will teach him the knowledge of things moral, civil, and religious: to think and a...

ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS A detailed analysis, as we have made it in other books, cannot be fully made in this collection of proverbs. Most of them are detached and each has a message by itself. To interpret each separately, to point out the many spiritual lessons, as well as prophetic application, to show their relation to other portions of the Word of God and to explain them by incidents taken from the Bible, would require volumes; and even then the spiritual meaning would not be exhausted. All we can do is to hint at their meaning and give some annotations which, under God, may be helpful in the closer study of this book I. INSTRUCTIONS OF WISDOM GIVEN TO SOLOMON CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The Introduction (Proverbs 1:1)_ 2. Warning against evil companions and covetousness (Pro

PROVERBS 1-9. FIRST SECTION. THE PRAISE OF WISDOM. Proverbs 1:1. Title, either of the whole book, or of this particular collection. The word for PROVERB, _mâ shâ l,_ has a wide significance _in Heb. (see BDB)._ Probably it originally expressed a comparison or allusion, drawn from history or nature, and employed to convey a taunt or satire, hence the rendering taunt-song. For different meanings _cf._ Numbers 21:27; Deuteronomy 28:37; Job 13:12; Isaiah 14:4;...

SUBTILTY. prudence. Same root as Genesis 3:1. Compare Matthew 10:16; 1 Samuel 23:22. Not the same word as Genesis 27:35. SIMPLE. artless, guileless, unsuspecting. Compare verses: Proverbs 1:22; Proverbs 1:32; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 8:5;...

The Introduction. Chap. Proverbs 1:2-7 The Introduction consists of a statement of the object of the Book (Proverbs 1:2), which is primarily to instruct the young in Wisdom (Proverbs 1:4), but at the same time to increase the store of those who are already wise (Proverbs 1:5); and also of a kind of motto, or enunciation of the basis and ruling principle of all the teaching which is to follow (Proverbs 1:7)....