Proverbs 16-1

As we read this, it teaches us a great truth, that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing of ourselves that is wise and good, but that all our sufficiency is of God, who is with the heart and with the mouth, and works in us both to will and to do, Phil. 2:13; Ps. 10:17. But most read it otherwise: The preparation of the heart is in man (he may contrive and design this and the other) but the answer of the tongue, not only the delivering of what he designed to speak, but... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:2

Note, 1. We are all apt to be partial in judging of ourselves: All the ways of a man, all his designs, all his doings, are clean in his own eyes, and he sees nothing amiss in them, nothing for which to condemn himself, or which should make his projects prove otherwise than well; and therefore he is confident of success, and that the answer of the tongue shall be according to the expectations of the heart; but there is a great deal of pollution cleaving to our ways, which we are not aware of,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:3

Note, 1. It is a very desirable thing to have our thoughts established, and not tossed, and put into a hurry, by disquieting cares and fears,?to go on in an even steady course of honesty and piety, not disturbed, or put out of frame, by any event or change,?to be satisfied that all shall work for good and issue well at last, and therefore to be always easy and sedate. 2. The only way to have our thoughts established is to commit our works to the Lord. The great concerns of our souls must be... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:4

Note, 1. That God is the first cause. He is the former of all things and all persons, the fountain of being; he gave every creature the being it has and appointed it its place. Even the wicked are his creatures, though they are rebels; he gave them those powers with which they fight against him, which aggravates their wickedness, that they will not let him that made them rule them, and therefore, though he made them, he will not save them. 2. That God is the last end. All is of him and from... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:5

Note, 1. The pride of sinners sets God against them. He that, being high in estate is proud in heart, whose spirit is elevated with his condition, so that he becomes insolent in his conduct towards God and man, let him know that though he admires himself, and others caress him, yet he is an abomination to the Lord. The great God despises him; the holy God detest him. 2. The power of sinners cannot secure them against God, though they strengthen themselves with body hands. Though they may... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:6

See here, 1. How the guilt of sin is taken away from us?by the mercy and truth of God, mercy in promising, truth in performing, the mercy and truth which kiss each other in Jesus Christ the Mediator?by the covenant of grace, in which mercy and truth shine so brightly?by our mercy and truth, as the condition of the pardon and a necessary qualification for it?by these, and not by the legal sacrifices, Mic. 6:7, 8. 2. How the power of sin is broken in us. By the principles of mercy and truth... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:7

Note, 1. God can turn foes into friends when he pleases. He that has all hearts in his hand has access to men's spirits and power over them, working insensibly, but irresistibly upon them, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him, can change their minds, or force them into a feigned submission. He can slay all enemies, and bring those together that were at the greatest distance from each other. 2. He will do it for us when we please him. If we make it our care to be reconciled to God,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

Here, 1. It is supposed that an honest good man may have but a little of the wealth of this world (all the righteous are not rich),?that a man may have but little, and yet may be honest (though poverty is a temptation to dishonesty, Prov. 30:9; yet not an invincible one),?and that a man may grow rich, for a while, by fraud and oppression, may have great revenues, and those got and kept without right, may have no good title to them nor make any good use of them. 2. It is maintained that a small... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:9

Man is here represented to us, 1. As a reasonable creature, that has the faculty of contriving for himself: His heart devises his way, designs an end, and projects ways and means leading to that end, which the inferior creatures, who are governed by sense and natural instinct, cannot do. The more shame for him if he do not devise the way how to please God and provide for his everlasting state. 2. But as a depending creature, that is subject to the direction and dominion of his Maker. If men... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:9

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