Matthew Henry on Nehemiah 5:6-13

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Nehemiah knew that, if he built Jerusalem's walls ever so high, so thick, or so strong, the city could not be safe while there were abuses. The right way to reform men's lives, is to convince their consciences.

If you walk in the fear of God, you will not be either covetous of worldly gain, or cruel toward your brethren. Nothing exposes religion more to reproach, than the worldliness and hard-heartedness of the professors of it.

Those that rigorously insist upon their right, with a very ill grace try to persuade others to give up theirs. In reasoning with selfish people, it is good to contrast their conduct with that of others who are liberal; but it is best to point to His example, who though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we, through his poverty, might be rich, 2Co 8:9.

They did according to promise. Good promises are good things, but good performances are better.

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The Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-19Nehemiah 5:1-19 · The Pulpit CommentaryAn example of successful activity for God. A great practical reformation carried out by a religious ruler on the highest religious principles, and by the strength of religious character. No more difficult task than to d…The Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-13Nehemiah 5:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryExtortion rebuked. Rulers of men have no easy task. No sooner have they provided a remedy for one evil than another presents itself. Nehemiah found this to be the case. He had preserved the city from the enemies outside…The Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-13Nehemiah 5:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe rich rebuked for taking advantage of the poor. I. THE POOR. 1. Numbers tend to poverty. "We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live" (verse 2). 2. Borrow…The Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-13Nehemiah 5:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryError and return. In the very midst of apparent success, when the Church is building its walls and seems likely to be triumphant and secure, there may be an aggravated evil springing up and spreading to its very heart.…The Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-13Nehemiah 5:1-13 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION INTERNAL DIFFICULTIES, AND NEHEMIAH'S MODE OF MEETING THEM (Nehemiah 5:1-13). While the building of the wall was in progress, but not, so far as it is stated, in direct connection with the employment of the m…Grievances of the Poor Redressed. (b. c. 445.)Nehemiah 5:6-13 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleGRIEVANCES OF THE POOR REDRESSED. (B. C. 445.) It should seem the foregoing complaint was made to Nehemiah at the time when he had his head and hands as full as possible of the public business about building the wall; y…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-13Extortion rebuked. Rulers of men have no easy task. No sooner have they provided a remedy for one evil than another presents itself. Nehemiah found this to be the case. He had preserved the city from the enemies outside…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-13EXPOSITION INTERNAL DIFFICULTIES, AND NEHEMIAH'S MODE OF MEETING THEM (Nehemiah 5:1-13). While the building of the wall was in progress, but not, so far as it is stated, in direct connection with the employment of the m…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-13The rich rebuked for taking advantage of the poor. I. THE POOR. 1. Numbers tend to poverty. "We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live" (verse 2). 2. Borrow…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-13Error and return. In the very midst of apparent success, when the Church is building its walls and seems likely to be triumphant and secure, there may be an aggravated evil springing up and spreading to its very heart.…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 5:1-19An example of successful activity for God. A great practical reformation carried out by a religious ruler on the highest religious principles, and by the strength of religious character. No more difficult task than to d…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryGrievances of the Poor Redressed. (b. c. 445.)GRIEVANCES OF THE POOR REDRESSED. (B. C. 445.) It should seem the foregoing complaint was made to Nehemiah at the time when he had his head and hands as full as possible of the public business about building the wall; y…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 5:6I was very angry. It is not clear that the letter of the law was infringed, unless it were in the matter of taking interest (Nehemiah 5:11), of which the people had not complained. That men might sell their daughters to…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 5:7I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury. So the Vulgate, and most commentators; but Bertheau has shown that the expression used, which is peculiar to Nehemiah, cannot have this meaning,…Joseph S. Exell and contributors