Isaiah 32:8

8 But he who is noble devises noble things, and by noble things he stands.

Isaiah 32:8 Meaning and Commentary

Isaiah 32:8

But the liberal man deviseth liberal things
The man of a princely spirit consults and contrives, and delivers out things worthy of a prince and governor in the church of God; he that is one of a free spirit, that is made free by the Spirit of God, and is led into the doctrines of free grace, will study to deliver out the same to others, and, as he has freely received, he will freely give, and without any sinister, selfish, and mercenary ends and views:

and by liberal things shall he stand;
or, "be established" ^F9; both by the doctrines of free grace he dispenses to others, to be established by and with which is a good thing; and by the free communications of the gifts and grace of the Spirit to him, to supply and furnish him yet more and more for his work; by the discoveries of the free favour of God unto him; by the enjoyment of his gracious presence in private and in public; by the blessings of a free and well ordered covenant; and, at last, by being brought to eternal glory and happiness, in which he will be settled to all eternity; or, "on liberal things shall he stand"; grace here, and glory hereafter. The Targum is,

``the righteous consult truth, and they upon truth shall stand.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (Mwqy) "stabilietur", Gataker.

Isaiah 32:8 In-Context

6 For the fool speaks folly, and his mind plots iniquity: to practice ungodliness, to utter error concerning the LORD, to leave the craving of the hungry unsatisfied, and to deprive the thirsty of drink.

7 The knaveries of the knave are evil; he devises wicked devices to ruin the poor with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is right.

8 But he who is noble devises noble things, and by noble things he stands.

9 Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech.

10 In little more than a year you will shudder, you complacent women; for the vintage will fail, the fruit harvest will not come.