Proverbs (Mentor Commentary | MC)

by John A. Kitchen

Publisher:

Mentor

, 2006

Overview

The escalating growth of our technological knowledge in the last century has been nothing short of breathtaking—but has it rendered us wiser? Or godlier?

We have lost something priceless, and seem to be trying to replace it with more and more information. We need wisdom! Communications technology leaves us no rest to work things out: mostly we just react, and worry, and fail—and react again. We make business decisions, ethical decisions, and relationship decisions, against a continuously moving landscape that doesn't allow them to be satisfying, consistent, or dependable.

There is no better starting point for understanding wisdom than the book of Proverbs. Its purpose is to impart wisdom to those who want it. John Kitchen has produced a work that is authoritative, comprehensive and insightful. He examines the chronology, authorship, composition, structure and context of Proverbs and does the hard work of providing cross-references alerting the reader to rich veins running beneath the surface of Proverbs and other Biblical books.

Key Features

• Discussion of important textual, literary, and philological questions
• Introduction to the style, structure, and composition—including authorship
• Background studies on the literary traditions
• Exegetical and interpretive issues are discussed
• Outlines the significant theological themes from the text
• Introduction to the historical and cultural setting of the book

Contents

Top Highlights

“Fourth, though Proverbs can appear simplistic to the uninformed reader, we must realize that Proverbs does not intend to present life as void of ambiguities.” (Page 29)

“There is nothing of greater value on this earth than the condition of your heart. There is no single action that will more directly affect the outcome and quality of your life than the guarding of your heart. There is not a more portentous predictor of your ultimate end than what you expose your heart to. Above all else, guard your heart!” (Page 113)

“To possess the fear of the Lord is to operate with a Biblical worldview. The fool operates without an accurate view of the world in which he lives. He is trying to live in God’s world without God. He is out of touch with reality.” (Page 57)

“Yet, in its most common sense, it describes the pithy sentence packed with thought-provoking punch. A proverb is compressed truth. Or, to use different imagery, it is a statement of truth stripped to the bare essentials. All qualifications, balancing statements, and explanations are cast aside in order to set a specific truth as starkly and memorably as possible before our minds.” (Page 17)

“Positively, ‘discretion’ is the ability to form a practical plan of action and work it to its end.¹² The proverbs instill common sense.” (Page 40)

Endorsements

This is my favorite commentary on Proverbs.

—C. J. Mahaney, President, Sovereign Grace Ministries

Dr. John Kitchen's commentary represents a good combination of scholarly research and practical godly admonition. It provides both the experienced biblical scholar and the beginning Bible student a very helpful resource for the study of Proverbs.

—Gennady Pshenichny, Lecturer in the Old Testament, Former President, Kuban Evangelical Christian University, Krasnodar, Russia

In this commentary on Proverbs, John Kitchen combines careful attention to the text with a warm pastoral concern for his readers. He is familiar with the scholarly discussions on the book—but he avoids technical jargon as he interprets Proverbs for the life setting of the twenty-first century. His lucid exposition expertly focuses on two questions that are too often neglected: How does the message of Proverbs connect with other biblical passages? And, how does this ancient book speak in specific terms to life today? This book will prove helpful for laypeople, students, and scholars alike.

—Daniel J. Estes, Dean of the Biblical & Theological Studies Department, Cedarville University

ohn Kitchen readably reflects the fruits of his precise and insightful teacher's mind and his down-to-earth and caring pastor's heart. Kitchen's volume is that rare and beautiful combination: in equal—and very generous—portions, an intellectual feast for the curious mind and a spiritual feast for the needy soul!

—A. Boyd Luter, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at the Criswell College

Committed to the full integrity and authority of the Bible as the written Word of God, to careful exegesis of the text, and to practical application of the truths of biblical wisdom to everyday life.

—Eugene H. Merrill, author of An Historical Survey of the Old Testament

He is clear and probing on the text and always practical. His appendix on wisdom versus folly is powerful and his thematic index of Proverbs opens up the only real preaching possibility for expositors beyond chapter nine of the book. Strings of pearls cannot be taught or preached verse by verse. This is a solid and substantial piece of work, which will deservedly take its place as one of the finest contemporary treatments available.

—David L. Larsen, Professor Emeritus of Preaching, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Product Details

• Title: Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary
• Author: John A. Kitchen
• Series: Mentor Commentaries
• Publisher: Mentor
• Print Publication Date: 2006
• Logos Release Date: 2011
• Pages: 792
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible. O.T. Proverbs › Commentaries
• ISBNs: 9781845500597, 1845500598
• Resource ID: LLS:MENTRCOM20PR
• Resource Type: Bible Commentary
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-08-30T23:36:41Z

About John A. Kitchen

John Kitchen is the pastor of Stow Alliance Fellowship and has been in pastoral ministry since 1987. He holds degrees from Crown College (BA), Columbia Biblical Seminary (MDiv) and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (DMin). John as authored five previous books, including Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary.