John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. Also I said, it is not good that ye do , etc.] The meaning is, that it was very bad; it is a “meiosis”, by which more is intended than is expressed: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God ; in reverence of him and his law, and according to that: because of the reproach of the Heathen our enemies ? whose mouths will be open to reproach the true religion, and the good ways of God; and say, these are the men that pretend to fear God, and serve him, and yet break his law, and use their brethren ill, (see Romans 2:24).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-13 - Nehemiah knew that, if he built Jerusalem's walls ever so high, s thick, or so strong, the city could not be safe while there wer 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 eithe covetous of worldly gain, or cruel toward your brethren. Nothin exposes religion more to reproach, than the worldliness an hard-heartedness of the professors of it. Those that rigorously insis upon their right, with a very ill grace try to persuade others to giv up theirs. In reasoning with selfish people, it is good to contras 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 becam poor, that we, through his poverty, might be rich, 2Co 8:9. They di according to promise. Good promises are good things, but goo performances are better.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 לא3808 טוב2896 הדבר1697 אשׁר834 אתם859 עשׂים6213 הלוא3808 ביראת3374 אלהינו430 תלכו1980 מחרפת2781 הגוים1471 אויבינו׃341
