Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Proverbs 14:34

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Proverbs 14:34. But sin is a reproach to any people. — I am satisfied this is not the sense of the original, וחסד לאמים חטאת vechesed leummim chattath; which would be better rendered, And mercy is a sin-offering for the people. The Vulgate has, Miseros autem facit populos peccatum, "sin makes the people wretched." Ελασσονουσι δε φυλας ἁμαρτιαι; "But sins lessen the tribes." - Septuagint. So also the Syriac and Arabic. The plain meaning of the original seems to be, A national disposition to mercy appears in the sight of God as a continual sin-offering. Not that it atones for the sin of the people; but, as a sin-offering is pleasing in the sight of the God of mercy, so is a merciful disposition in a nation. This view of the verse is consistent with the purest doctrines of free grace. And what is the true sense of the words, we should take at all hazards and consequences: we shall never trench upon a sound creed by a literal interpretation of God's words. No nation has more of this spirit than the British nation. It is true, we have too many sanguinary laws; but the spirit of the people is widely different.

If any one will contend for the common version, he has my consent; and I readily agree in the saying, Sin is the reproach of any people. It is the curse and scandal of man. Though I think what I have given is the true meaning of the text.

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Hidden feelings and motives (14:1-35)

Wisdom builds, but folly destroys. People’s actions reveal their attitude to God (14:1-2). The wisdom of their speech and their commitment to hard work are among the things that determine whether they progress or come to ruin (3-5). Those who think they know everything can never become truly wise and therefore can never have right discernment in the moral issues of life (6-8).
Good people may prosper and evil people may suffer loss, but outward appearances do not tell the full story. Hidden within the heart there may be a joy or a sadness that no one can share (9-14). Those who believe anything, who throw away caution, or who act in quick temper are only increasing their folly (15-18). The wicked may have a secret respect for those who are genuinely good, but they despise the poor, because they know they can get nothing from them (19-21).
The next five proverbs urge pure motives, hard work, wisdom, truthful speech and reverence for God (22-27). No one can live without depending on others; even a king cannot exist without his people (28). Bad temper affects people’s health as well as their personality, but oppressing the poor affects their relation with God (29-31). Righteousness and wisdom bring benefits in whatever sphere they are practised, whether in private life or in the political affairs of the nation (32-35).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

“Righteousness exalteth a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.”

The Court House of Grayson County, Sherman, Texas, inscribed these words on their new building in 1929. “This much quoted and penetrating test of national greatness is abundantly attested throughout history.” It is precisely this truth which is not receiving the attention that it deserves in America today.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Reproach - The word so rendered has this sense in the Targum of Leviticus 20:17. Its more usual meaning is “mercy,” “piety;” hence, some have attached to the word rendered “sin” the sense of “sin-offering,” and so get the maxim “piety is an atonement for the people.”

Smith's Bible Commentary

Chapter 14

Continuation of the contrasting of goodness and evil.

Every wise woman ( Proverbs 14:1 )

And wise and foolish contrasted always, too.

Every wise woman builds her house ( Proverbs 14:1 ):

She takes care. She takes pain. She takes effort to really build her house. A wise woman. It, to me, is a very tragic thing that today there is so much pressure upon women to be something other than good wives and keepers of the home. It's almost made a downer to a woman if she's just a good mother and housekeeper. "Oh, you're just a housekeeper? Oh, you know. You don't have a career? Oh, you know."

The other day my wife and daughter signed up for exercise class at the Y.M.C.A. And the woman just kept talking to my daughter and almost ignoring my wife, just, you know, and was just so interested in my daughter. And my wife got upset, she said. She later on said to my daughter, "You know, that woman was extremely rude to me. She was just spending so much time with you, it's just because you're young and I'm old. And I don't appreciate the fact that people just ignore a person when they get older and all and giving you so much time." And Jan sort of said, "Well, Mom, you know," and trying to pass it off. And finally Jan says, "Well, Mom, if you want to know the truth," she said, "On the application where it says occupation I put down writer, you put down housewife. That's why she was paying so much attention, because, you know, career." And the world you know, "Oh, you're a writer. Oh my! You know, blah, blah, blah. Oh, you're a housewife?"

"But a wise woman builds her house." I'll tell you, there's no greater reward in all the world than to see the fruit of a wise woman who has built a house in which there is love and security for the children, who can grow up in that kind of an environment and blossom forward into manhood and womanhood. What a reward and what a blessing! "The wise woman builds her house."

but the foolish plucks it down with her hands. He that walks in his uprightness fears the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despises him. In the mouth of the foolish is the rod of pride: but the lips of the wise will preserve them. Where you have no ox, the corn crib is clean: but with much increase is by the strength of the ox ( Proverbs 14:1-4 ).

You know, don't brag because your corn crib is so clean. It could be that you have no oxen.

A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. A scorner seeks wisdom, and cannot find it: but knowledge is easy to him that understandeth ( Proverbs 14:5-6 ).

It used to be always after the test in school someone would say, "Well, was it a hard test?" And I'd always respond, "Not if you know the answers." Only hard when you don't know the answers, you know. Then it's tough, because, man, you got to think of something and make up something. That makes a hard test. But if you know the answers, the test isn't hard at all. So, "The knowledge is easy unto him who understands." No problem if you understand it.

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you perceive that there is no knowledge in his lips ( Proverbs 14:7 ).

Some guy just spouting off, and you perceive the guy's a nut; just walk away. Don't subject yourself to him.

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. Fools mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor ( Proverbs 14:8-9 ).

Oh, how fools love to mock at sin. How much we see today the mocking of sin. "Oh, I suppose I'm a sinner," you know, and people mock at it.

The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger does not intermeddle with his joy. The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tent of the upright shall flourish. There is a way which seems right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death ( Proverbs 14:10-12 ).

So what is the way that seems right to man but ends in death? Is it narrow and is it straight? Or is it broad? Jesus said, "Strive to enter in at the straight gate. Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it. But broad is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, many there are that go in thereat" ( Matthew 7:13-14 ).

"There is a way that seems right unto man." You hear people today say, "Well, all roads lead to God." Not according to Jesus Christ. He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father but by Me" ( John 14:6 ). All roads may lead to God, but which god? You see, there's only one path that leads to the Father. There's only one way to the Father--that's through Jesus Christ. So, "There is way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the way of death."

If you are walking in any other way other than Jesus Christ, you're walking in a path that's going to ultimate in death. Separation from God. There's only one way, Jesus Christ.

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness ( Proverbs 14:13 ).

That is, for the man who is walking in the path of death.

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going. A wise man fears, and departs from evil: but the fool rages, and is confident. He that is soon angry deals foolishly ( Proverbs 14:14-17 ):

How many times we have made foolish mistakes in a fit of anger. We've responded, we've reacted in anger. And we've done foolishly. He that is soon angry, quick-tempered, will deal foolishly. You do foolish things with that quick temper.

and a man of wicked devices is hated. The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. The poor is hated even of his own neighbor: but the rich hath many friends. He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he. Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tends only towards penury. The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. A true witness delivers souls: but a deceitful witness speaks lies. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. In the multitude of people is the king's honor: but in want of people is the destruction of the prince. He that is slow to wrath is of good understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly. A sound heart is the life of the flesh ( Proverbs 14:17-30 ):

This is an interesting thing. How did Solomon know that?

but envy is the rottenness of the bones ( Proverbs 14:30 ).

Envy can destroy. Sound heart, it's just life to your flesh.

He that oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker: but he who honors him has mercy on the poor ( Proverbs 14:31 ).

If you really honor God, you'll have mercy on the poor. Now, there is much the Bible says in Proverbs concerning the poor and the attitude that we should have towards the poor. And God's attitude towards the poor. Again, you might look that up through your concordance.

The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope even in his death ( Proverbs 14:32 ).

You bet I do. A living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Wisdom rests in the heart of him that has understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people ( Proverbs 14:33-34 ).

If I had anything to do about that kind of thing, I would have this over the Capitol, over the Supreme Court, over the White House. I would have this all through Washington, D.C., and in every state capital. This motto, "Righteousness exalts a nation: sin is a reproach to any people." The history of the nation of Israel, oh that we could read it and study it and benefit by it, because it was all written for our examples. God put the whole thing there as an example to us that we might learn. And what is the lesson to be learned from the history of the nation of Israel? Whenever they honor the Lord and sought the Lord, God blessed them and prospered them and they were strong and they subdued their enemies and they lived in happiness and prosperity and peace. Whenever they turned from the Lord and turned to the flesh and lived after the flesh, then they were subjugated by their enemies. They came into bondage and they were destroyed. Oh, how important that a nation be established in righteousness. "Righteousness exalts a nation."

The king's favor is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him those that cause shame ( Proverbs 14:35 ). "

Gann's Commentary on the Bible

Proverbs 14:34

The Christian’s Duty to His Nation

1 Timothy 2:1-2 Pray for the king, and all in authority.

Romans 13:1 ff. vs. 1-7 Be in subjection to government.

    Acts 4:19 More important to listen to God

    Acts 5:29 We ought to obey God rather than men.

Mark 12:17 To render to Caesar (pay our taxes)

Matthew 22:21 -- Render to Caesar His Due

Luke 20:25

Romans 13:1 Remember that governments are appointed by God

    John 19:11 God grants governments their power

Romans 13:2 Not to be a rebel to overthrow

Romans 13:3 Governments must support good

Romans 13:4 Governments are God’s servants

        They are God’s ministers of vengance

Romans 14:5 We are to be in subjection for two reasons.

Romans 13:6 We are to pay our taxes

Romans 13:7 Render them their due, respect and honor

The Nation’s Responsibility

Romans 13:3 Support good, punish the evil

Romans 13:4 Execute justice upon the evil

What God Says About Nations

Proverbs 14:34 Nations obliged to do right.

2 Chronicles 7:14 Nations to turn from wicked ways

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Righteousness exalteth a nation,.... Administered by the government, and exercised by subjects towards one another; doing justice between man and man: this exalts a nation, as it did the people of Israel, while practised among them; this sets a people above their neighbours, and high in the esteem of God and men; and is attended with privileges and blessings, which make a nation great and honourable. Some understand this of aims deeds, or beneficence to the poor; which, both in the Hebrew and Greek languages, is called righteousness;

:-. It may be put for the whole of true religion, which is an honour to a nation, where it obtains; and is what makes the holy nation, and peculiar people, so truly illustrious; and particularly the righteousness of Christ makes such who are interested in it really great and noble, and promotes and exalts them to heaven and happiness;

but sin [is] a reproach to any people; where vice reigns, iniquity abounds, profaneness, impiety, and immorality of all sorts prevail, a people become mean and despicable; they fall into poverty and contempt; are neither able to defend themselves, nor help their neighbours, and so are despised by them. The word rendered "reproach" most commonly signifies "mercy" or goodness; and some render it, "and the mercy of a people is a sin offering" p; or as one: or it is so "to the nations"; it is as good as a sacrifice for sin, of which the word is sometimes used, or better, more acceptable to God, "who will have mercy, and not sacrifice", Matthew 9:13; even beneficence and kindness to the poor, the same with righteousness, as before. I think it may be as well rendered, "the piety" or religion "of the nations is sin" q; it being idolatry, as Aben Ezra observes: such is the religion of the antichristian nations, who worship idols of gold and silver; and though they may afflict themselves, as Gersom remarks of the idolatrous nations, with fasting and penance, with whippings and scourgings; yet it is nothing else but sin, will worship, and superstition.

p חסד לאמים חטאת "beneficentia expiatio est populi", Grotius; "sacrificium expiatorium", Tigurine version; "velut sacrificium pro peccato", Vatablus, Gejerus; "gratuita beneificentia nationibus est aliquid sacrificium peccati expiatorium", Gussetius, p. 74. q "Pietas nationum est peccatium", Munster, Mercerus; "studium nationum peccatum", Cocceius.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

      Note, 1. Justice, reigning in a nation, puts an honour upon it. A righteous administration of the government, impartial equity between man and man, public countenance given to religion, the general practice and profession of virtue, the protecting and preserving of virtuous men, charity and compassion to strangers (alms are sometimes called righteousness), these exalt a nation; they uphold the throne, elevate the people's minds, and qualify a nation for the favour of God, which will make them high, as a holy nation,Deuteronomy 26:19. 2. Vice, reigning in a nation, puts disgrace upon it: Sin is a reproach to any city or kingdom, and renders them despicable among their neighbours. The people of Israel were often instances of both parts of this observation; they were great when they were good, but when they forsook God all about them insulted them and trampled on them. It is therefore the interest and duty of princes to use their power for the suppression of vice and support of virtue.