John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. Better [is] a little with righteousness , etc.] Gotten in a righteous way, held by a righteous claim, used in a righteous manner, attended with a life of righteousness and holiness; and also along with an interest in the righteousness of Christ, which renders acceptable unto God, yields peace and comfort, and entitles to eternal glory and happiness. A truly righteous man may have but little of this world’s goods; but his small pittance is better than great revenues without right ; obtained in an unjust way; detained from the right owner of them, and used in an unrighteous manner, in a course of sin and wickedness: or, “without judgment” f463 ; how to make use of them aright, and without a righteousness that will justify them at the day of judgment; (see Gill on “ Proverbs 15:16”). A little the true church of Christ enjoys in the wilderness; having Christ and his grace, Christ and his righteousness, is better than all the revenues of the church of Rome gotten by the unlawful methods they are; and which, in one hour will come to nought, ( Revelation 18:17).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8 - A small estate, honestly come by, will turn to better account than great estate ill-gotten.
Original Hebrew טוב2896 מעט4592 בצדקה6666 מרב7230 תבואות8393 בלא3808 משׁפט׃4941
