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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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:2

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes ,.... All right and well, not only some, but all, having a high opinion of himself; for this is to be understood of a self-righteous man, who is pure in his own eyes, though not cleansed from his filthiness, and so fancies every way he walks in, and everything he does, is pure; this is owing to want of knowledge of the impurity of his nature; was he sensible of this, he would see that his best righteousness is as filthy rags and to his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-3

The rule and guidance of Jehovah I. GOD THE OBJECT AND FULFILMENT OF HUMAN DESIRE . We are wishful, craving creatures, "with no language but a sigh." The answer of the praying tongue and heart is God himself—in the fulness of his wisdom and love, the generosity of his gifts, the accessibility of his presence. A philosopher of this century actually taught that God was the Creator of human wishes and imagination. Let us rather say, it is God who creates and calls forth the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-7

These are specially religions maxims, and they all contain the name Jehovah. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-9

Thought, action, prayer It may be said that the three main elements of human experience are those of thinking, of acting, and of praying. We have not done our best until we have done all of these. I. THOUGHT . "The preparations of the heart belong to man" (Revised Version). "Thy thoughts" ("thy purposes," Revised Version). We are told of Peter, after the denial, that "when he thought thereon, he wept" ( Mark 14:72 ). But if he had thought beforehand what grief he would cause his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:2

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes ( Proverbs 21:2 ). He may deceive himself, and be blind to his own faults, or be following an ill-informed and ill-regulated conscience ( Proverbs 12:15 ; Proverbs 14:12 ), yet this is no excuse in God's eyes. The Lord weigheth the spirits. Not the "ways," the outward life and actions only, but motives, intentions, dispositions ( Hebrews 4:12 ). He too knows our secret faults, unsuspected by others, and perhaps by ourselves ( Psalms... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 16:2

Proverbs 16:2. All the ways of man are clean in his own eyes Men can easily flatter and deceive themselves into a good opinion of themselves, and of their own actions, though they be sinful; but the Lord weigheth the spirits He as exactly knows, as men do the things which they weigh and examine, the hearts of men, from which both their actions and the quality of them, in a great measure, proceed. Their ends and intentions, their dispositions and affections, which are hid, not only from... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-33

Laying plans and making decisions (16:1-33)A person may make plans, but God is the one who determines their outcome. He knows the person’s unseen motives and controls events according to his purposes. It is important, therefore, always to bring God into one’s planning (16:1-4). God punishes the arrogant but has mercy on those who fear him (5-6). He protects them from harm and guides them on the right pathway (7-9).When a king’s wisdom comes from God, his decisions will be right. He will show no... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 16:2

man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 . clean = pure own eyes. Compare Proverbs 12:15 Proverbs 12:15 ; Proverbs 14:12 ; Proverbs 16:25 ; Proverbs 21:2 . Conscience is no safe guide, for it depends on what a man believes. Illustrations: Hazael (2 Kings 8:13 ); Jehu (2 Kings 10:16 , 2 Kings 10:31 ); the Pharisee (Luke 18:11-14 ); Paul (Acts 26:9 ; Compare Proverbs 9:4 . 1 Timothy 1:13 and Romans 7:9 ). weigheth. With moral and spiritual weights. the spirits = spirits (no Art.) Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . read more

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