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The merciful man does good to his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
Verse Takeaways
1
The Boomerang of Character
All commentators agree that this verse highlights a spiritual principle: our actions have consequences that return to us. A person who shows love and mercy ultimately does good to their own soul, receiving blessings in return. Conversely, as Matthew Henry puts it, a cruel or ill-natured person is vexatious to others and ultimately 'punishes himself.' Our character creates the reality we inhabit.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
Proverbs
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3
19th Century
Anglican
The merciful man.— Rather, one who shows love. (See above on Proverbs 3:3.) Our good and evil deeds return to us in bless…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
The merciful man does good to his own soul Or "to himself": a man of mercy or grace, a liberal bountiful man, he com…
Presbyterian
A cruel, perverse, ill-natured man is vexatious to those who are, and should be, to him as his own flesh, and punishes himself.
