John Gill Commentary Proverbs 18:9

"He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer." — Proverbs 18:9 (ASV)

He also that is slothful in his work
Remiss in it; hangs down his hands, and does not care to make use of them, but neglects his business: is brother to him that is a great waster :
a prodigal man, who spends his substance in riotous living: the sluggard and the prodigal are brethren in iniquity; for, though they take different courses, they are both sinful, and issue in the same manner; both bring to poverty and want.

Or, "brother to a master that wastes" ^F16 ; a slothful servant and a wasteful master are near akin, and come into the same class and circumstances.

Jarchi interprets it, "he that separateth from the law, though a disciple of a wise man, is a brother to Satan;" whose name is Apollyon, the waster and destroyer.

A man that is slothful in spiritual things, though a professor of religion, and has a place in the house of God, is brother to him that is a waster and persecutor of it; see (Matthew 12:30) .

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FOOTNOTES:

• F16: (tyxvm lebl) "domino devaststionis", Gejerus; "domino dissipanti", Mercerus.