Proverbs 11:25

25 The soul that blesseth, shall be made fat: and he that inebriateth, shall be inebriated also himself.

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Proverbs 11:25 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 11:25

The liberal soul shall be made fat
Or, "the soul of blessing" F3: that is, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the soul which blesseth"; not that merely prays for a blessing upon others, and wishes them well, and gives them good words; but bestows blessings on them, gives good things unto them liberally, cheerfully, and plentifully; and so is a blessing to the poor, and receives a blessing from them again; as such also do from the Lord, by whom they are "made fat"; or are blessed with temporal and spiritual blessings; and are in thriving and flourishing circumstances, both in soul and body. So he that comes full fraught with the blessing of the Gospel of Christ to others is enriched with it himself, and becomes more and more flourishing in gifts and grace; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself;
he that largely shares with others, like a flowing fountain of water, shall have an abundance communicated to him again from God, the inexhaustible fountain of mercies. Watering the plants in Christ's vineyard is one part of the work of a Gospel minister; "I have planted, Apollos watered" ( 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 ) ; and such who do their work well are watered, rewarded, refreshed, and comforted of God, being largely taught and richly furnished for such service by him; so the Targum,

``and he that teacheth, also he himself shall learn.''

FOOTNOTES:

F3 (hkrb vpn) "anima benedictionis", Montanus, Baynus, Cocceius, Michaelis; "anima benedictioni dedita", Schultens.

Proverbs 11:25 In-Context

23 The desire of the just is all good, the expectation of the wicked is indignation.
24 Some distribute their own goods, and grow richer: others take away what is not their own, and are always in want.
25 The soul that blesseth, shall be made fat: and he that inebriateth, shall be inebriated also himself.
26 He that hideth up corn, shall be cursed among the people: but a blessing upon the head of them that sell.
27 Well doth he rise early who seeketh good things; but he that seeketh after evil things, shall be oppressed by them.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.