Proverbs 14:9
Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.
Fools make a mock at sin,.... At sinful actions, their own or others; they make light of them, a jest of them, call evil good, and good evil; take pleasure in doing them themselves, and in those that do them; yea, sport themselves with the mischief that arises from them unto others; they make a mock at reproofs for them, and scoff at those that instruct and rebuke them; and laugh at a future state, and an awful judgment they are warned of, and in a scoffing manner say, "where is the promise of his coming?" Some, as Aben Ezra observes, render it "a sin offering"; and interpret it of the sin offerings and sacrifices under the law, as derided by wicked men; but may be better applied to the sin offering or sacrifice of Christ, who made his soul an offering for sin, to make satisfaction and atonement for the sins of his people; this is mocked at by false teachers, who deny it; and is exposed to derision and contempt by the Papists, by their bloodless sacrifice of the mass, and by their merits and works of supererogation, which they prefer to the sacrifice and satisfaction of Christ. The words may be rendered, "sin makes a mock of fools" {h}; it deceives them, it promises them pleasure, or profit, or honour, but gives them neither, but all the reverse;
but among the righteous there is favour: they enjoy the favour of God and man; or "there is good will" {i}, good will towards men; they are so far from making a mock at sin, and taking delight in the mischief that comes by it to others, that they are willing to do all good offices unto men, and by love to serve their friends and neighbours: or "there is acceptance" {k}; they are accepted with God upon the account of the sin offering, sacrifice, and satisfaction of Christ, which fools mock and despise.
{h} Mva Uyly Mylywa fronav cleuazei plhmmeleia, Aquila & Theodotion in Drusius; "delictum illudit fatuos", Gejerus.
{i} Nwur "benevoleatia", Montanus, Baynus, Piscator, Mercerus, Gejerus.
{k} "Acceptatio", Cocceius, Gussetius.