Whoever despiseth {g} the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.

(g) Meaning the word of God, by which he is admonished of his duty.

Wesley's Notes

13:13 The word - The word of God.

King James Translators' Notes

shall be rewarded: or, shall be in peace

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13. the word-that is, of advice, or, instruction (compare Pr 10:27; 11:31).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

13:13. He that stands in awe of God, and reverences his word, shall escape destruction, and be rewarded for his godly fear.

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Verse 13

Here is, 1. The character of one that is marked for ruin: He that despises the word of God, and has no regard to it, no veneration for it, nor will be ruled by it, certainly he shall be destroyed, for he slights that which is the only means of curing a destructive disease and makes himself obnoxious to that divine wrath which will certainly be his destruction. Those that prefer the rules of carnal policy before divine precepts, and the allurements of the world and the flesh before God's promises and comforts, despise his word, giving the preference to those things that stand in competition with it; and it is to their own just destruction: they would not take warning. 2. The character of one that is sure to be happy: He that fears the commandment, that stands in awe of God, pays a deference to his authority, has a reverence for his word, is afraid of displeasing God and incurring the penalties annexed to the commandment, shall not only escape destruction, but shall be rewarded for his godly fear. In keeping the commandment there is great reward.