Proverbs 16:16-22 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:16

Solomon here not only asserts that it is better to get wisdom than gold (Prov. 3:14; 8:19), but he speaks it with assurance, that it is much better, better beyond expression?with admiration (How much better!) as one amazed at the disproportion?with an appeal to men's consciences (?Judge in yourselves how much better it is? )--and with an addition to the same purport, that understanding is rather to be chosen than silver and all the treasures of kings and their favourites. Note, 1. Heavenly... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:17

Note, 1. It is the way of the upright to avoid sin, and every thing that looks like it and leads towards it; and this is a highway marked out by authority, tracked by many that have gone before us, and in which we meet with many that keep company with us; it is easy to find and safe to be travelled in, like a highway, Isa. 35:8. To depart from evil is understanding. 2. It is the care of the upright to preserve their own souls, that they be not polluted with sin, and that by the troubles of the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:18

Note, 1. Pride will have a fall. Those that are of a haughty spirit, that think of themselves above what is meet, and look with contempt upon others, that with their pride affront God and disquiet others, will be brought down, either by repentance or by ruin. It is the honour of God to humble the proud, Job 40:11, 12. It is the act of justice that those who have lifted up themselves should be laid low. Pharaoh, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, were instances of this. Men cannot punish pride, but... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:19

This is a paradox which the children of this world cannot understand and will not subscribe to, that it is better to be poor and humble than to be rich and proud. 1. Those that divide the spoil are commonly proud; they value themselves and despise others, and their mind rises with their condition; those therefore that are rich in this world have need to be charged that they be not high-minded, 1 Tim. 6:17. Those that are proud and will put forth themselves, that thrust, and shove, and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:20

Note, 1. Prudence gains men respect and success: He that handles a matter wisely (that is master of his trade and makes it to appear he understands what he undertakes, that is considerate in his affairs, and, when he speaks or writes on any subject, does it pertinently) shall find good, shall come into good repute, and perhaps may make a good hand of it. 2. But it is piety only that will secure men's true happiness: Those that handle a matter wisely, if they are proud and lean to their own... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:21

Note, 1. Those that have solid wisdom will have the credit of it; it will gain them reputation, and they shall be called prudent grave men, and a deference will be paid to their judgment. Do that which is wise and good and thou shalt have the praise of the same. 2. Those that with their wisdom have a happy elocution, that deliver their sentiments easily and with a good grace, are communicative of their wisdom and have words at will, and good language as well as good sense, increase learning;... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:22

Note, 1. There is always some good to be gotten by a wise and good man: His understanding is a well-spring of life to him, which always flows and can never be drawn dry; he has something to say upon all occasions that is instructive, and of use to those that will make use of it, things new and old to bring out of his treasure; at least, his understanding is a spring of life to himself, yielding him abundant satisfaction; within his own thoughts he entertains and edifies himself, if not others.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:16

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold ?.... To obtain and possess Christ, the fountain of wisdom, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, which treasures are infinitely preferable to thousands of gold and silver; to gain the knowledge of him, and of God in him, with which eternal life is connected, and in comparison of which all things are loss and dung; to have wisdom in the hidden part, or grace in the heart, which is much more precious than gold that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:17

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil ,.... Upright persons, such who are upright in heart, and walk uprightly; these walk in the highway of holiness, in which men, though fools, shall not err; in the King's highway, the highway of the King of kings; in the plain beaten path of God's commandments; and so shun the bypaths of sin, and abstain from all appearance of it: this is their common constant course of life; they are studiously concerned to walk herein, and take delight in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:18

Pride goeth before destruction ,.... As it did in the angels that sinned, who, through pride, fell into condemnation, not being able to bear the thought that the human nature, in the person of the Son of God, should be advanced above theirs; and as it did in our first parents, who, not content with their present state and circumstances, and ambitious of being as gods, knowing good and evil, ruined themselves and all their posterity; and as it has done in many of their sons, as in Haman,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:18

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