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Concerning Busybodies
v. 17. He that passeth by and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, becoming excited over a dispute which is really none of his business, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears, deliberately provoking trouble for himself.
v. 18. As a madman who casteth fire-brands, or fiery darts, arrows, and death, deadly missiles of all kinds,
v. 19. so is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, using craft against him, deliberately hurting him with bitter speeches, and saith, Am not I in sport? Gentle teasing and irony may well be permissible, but there is a limit to everything, and joking must never become pointed raillery with a personal sting.
v. 20. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out, for want of fuel; so where there is no talebearer, whose slanderous remarks always add further fuel for quarrels, the strife ceaseth, it is quieted for want of material to keep it going.
v. 21. As coals are to burning coals and wood to fire, keeping the blaze steady, so is a contentious man to kindle strife, always to stir it up anew.
v. 22. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. cf Pro_18:8.
v. 23. Burning lips, such as are fervent with demonstrations of regard, and a wicked heart, showing that the glow of the lips is repulsive hypocrisy, are like a potsherd covered with silver dross, impure silver covering an earthen vessel, the comparison serving to bring out the falseness of such actions.
v. 24. He that hateth, dissembleth with his lips, or, "With his lips the hater dissembleth," and layeth up deceit within him;
v. 25. when he speaketh fair, making his voice and speech pleasant, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart, hateful and loathsome plans and projects engage his attention, Mat_12:45.
v. 26. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, since he has managed to keep it secret for a while, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation, exposed before the entire assembly convened for judgment.
v. 27. Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein, this being the form which the punishment of God will take; and he that rolleth a stone, with the intention of harming another, it will return upon him, in just retribution.
v. 28. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it, it is not a case of merely repeating a slander in a thoughtless manner, but a deliberate expression of hatred; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin, for if men are duped by flattery, it brings misfortune upon them. Careful uprightness is required of every true child of God.