The fruit of the righteous [is] a tree of life; and he that winneth souls [is] wise.
Ver. 30. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,] i.e., The commodities and comforts that one may every way receive from a righteous person, - for, est aliquid quod a viro bono etiam tacente discas, saith Seneca, somewhat a man may learn from a good man, even when he says nothing, - are more than can be imagined. Plutarch reporteth that the Babylonians make three hundred and sixty various commodities of the palm tree, and do therefore greatly honour it. Should not we much more honour the multifarious gifts of God in his righteous ones for our good? For whether it be "Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas," "All is ours." 1Co 3:4-9
And he that winneth souls.] And useth singular art and industry therein, as fowlers do to take birds (for so the Hebrew word imports), or fishermen fishes. "He is wise, and wiseth others," as Daniel hath it; Pro 12:3 he is just, and justifieth others; he "shall save a soul from death." Jam 5:20 He shall shine as a star in heaven. And this is instanced as one special fruit of that tree of life mentioned in the former verse. This is a noble fruit indeed, since one soul is more worth than a world, as he hath told us, who only went to the price of it. Mat 16:26