John Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 8:4

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

Unto you, O men, I call, etc.] Not angels, the fallen angels; for, as they had nothing to do with Christ, he had nothing to do with them, or say unto them, (<400829>Matthew 8:29); nor the brutes, irrational creatures; for, though the Gospel is to be preached to every creature, yet only to rational ones, (<411615>Mark 16:15), “men”, whom God has loved and Christ has redeemed; these are by the Gospel called, and called effectually. There are some men indeed who are only externally called; but there are others who are also called with an holy calling, of which (see Gill on “<200124>Proverbs 1:24”). Some think men of eminence are here meant, as rich men, so Aben Ezra; or men of wisdom and knowledge, such as the Scribes and Pharisees, and learned doctors among the Jews; but it rather seems to design men indefinitely, of whatsoever rank or order, state or condition; and my voice [is] to the sons of men; which some interpret of the poor, as Aben Ezra; or those who are more illiterate, or the common people; so that high and low, rich and poor, have the Gospel preached unto them; but the phrase seems to intend the same as before, the same thing is said in different words.

Read Proverbs 8:4 →Read the full chapter →Barnes' Notes →Wesley's Explanatory Notes →Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge →Keil & Delitzsch →

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