Proverbs 12:26

The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. THE RIGHTEOUS IS MORE EXCELLENT [HEBREW, MORE RICHLY ABUNDANT; yaateer (H8446 ): AKIN TO THE GREEK OUTHAR] THAN HIS NEIGHBOUR - though the world, judging by outward circumstances thinks differently. Even the righteous themselves are tempted by affliction at times to be cast down as if there were no gain in piety, and as if the ungodly fared better (Psalms 73:1; Malachi 3:14). BUT THE WAY OF THE WICKED SEDUCETH THEM. If, then "the righteous be more excellent titan his neighbour," how is it that men do not follow their way? Because ...

Verse Proverbs 12:26. _THE RIGHTEOUS_ IS _MORE EXCELLENT THAN HIS NEIGHBOUR_] That is, if the neighbour be a wicked man. The spirit of the proverb lies here: The POOR _righteous man_ is _more excellent_ than his _sinful neighbour_, though _affluent_ and _noble_. The _Syriac_ has it, "The righteous deviseth good to his neighbour." A late commentator has translated it, "The righteous explore their pastures." How מרעהו can be translated THEIR _pastures_ I know not; but none of the _versions_ understood it in this way. The _Vulgate_ is rather singular: Qui negligit damnum propter amicum, justus est. "He who neglects or sustains a loss for the sake of his friend, is a just man." The _Septuagint_ is insufferable: "The well-instructed righteous man shall be his own friend." One would hope these translators meant not e...

IS MORE EXCELLENT THAN - Rather, the just man guides his neighbor....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 12:1 INSTRUCTION; correction, discipline, which shows a man his faults, gives him a lowly opinion of himself, and opens his mind to receive _knowledge, _especially the knowledge of himself and of all moral obligations. IS BRUTISH; is as insensible to higher aspirations, to regret for the past or hope of amendment, as a brute beast (comp. Proverbs 30:2). On this point St. Augustine is quoted: "Quicumque corripi non vis, ex eo sane corripiendus es quia corripi non vis. Non vis enim tua tibi vitia demonstrari; non vis ut feriantur, fiatque tibi utilis dolor, quo medicum quaeras; non vis tibi tu ipse ostendi, ut cum deformem te vides, reformaturum desideres, eique supplices ne in illa remaneas foeditate

THE RIGHTEOUS [IS] MORE EXCELLENT THAN HIS NEIGHBOUR,.... Not than his neighbour who is righteous also; for though one may have more excellent gifts than another, or a larger measure of grace; one righteous man may have more faith than another, yet not more righteousness; every truly righteous man is justified by the same righteousness, even the righteousness of Christ; and therefore one cannot be more excellent, considered as righteous: but the righteous is more excellent than his neighbour, who is ungodly and unrighteous, or however who has no other righteousness than his own; though his neighbour may be of more noble birth, and have even the title of "his excellency" given him; though he may have a larger share of wealth and riches; and though he may have attained a greater degree of natural wisdom and understanding, be a man of brighter parts, and of a larger capacity; yet, being rig...

CHAPTER 12 THE CONTRAST IN RELATION TO VARIOUS CONDITIONS In these proverbs we have the righteous mentioned, his thoughts, his words, his domestic relationship, his attitude toward animal creation Proverbs 12:10); his diligence; all is contrasted with the wicked in these beautiful antithetic expressions of wisdom. The thoughts of the righteous are right Proverbs 12:5), because his heart is right; his words bring deliverance Proverbs 12:6); in speaking truth he showeth forth righteousness Proverbs 12:17); his tongue is health Proverbs 12:1

PROVERBS 12. Here we have a number of proverbs handling the favourite subject of retribution (Proverbs 12:2 f., Proverbs 12:7; Proverbs 12:14; Proverbs 12:21; Proverbs 12:28). Several deal with speech (Proverbs 12:6; Proverbs 12:13; Proverbs 12:16;...

THE RIGHTEOUS. a righteous one, is more excellent than his neighbour. guideth his neighbour. SEDUCETH THEM. leadeth them astray. The clauses are not "unrelated", nor is the text "corrupt beyond restoration", when properly translated....

is _more excellent than_ Rather, IS A GUIDE TO, R.V. Comp. "He guideth (the same word) the perfect in his way," 2 Samuel 22:33, R.V. _seduceth them_ Rather, CAUSETH THEM TO ERR, R.V. The antithesis between the two clauses of the verse is thus brought out more forcibly, especially if we understand by "them" the persons included in the collective word "neighbour." See Proverbs 11:9, note....

DISCOURSE: 779 THE EXCELLENCY OF THE RIGHTEOUS Proverbs 12:26. _The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour_. MEN in their external appearance are alike; so far at least, that their moral character cannot with any accuracy be determined by it. But God, who searches the heart, sees an immense difference between different men; such a difference as suffices to arrange them all under two great classes—the righteous and the wicked. In the righteous he finds an excellency which he in vain looks for in others; and to point out this superior excellency is my object, in this discourse. But here it is proper to observe, that Solomon does not draw the comparison between a righteous and a _notoriously wicked_ man; but between a righteous man and “his neighbour,” however excellent that neighbour may be: for, if there be in any man a want of positive and inherent righte