Proverbs 16:4 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:4

The Lord hath made all things for himself ,.... This is true of the Lord with respect to the creation of all things by him. All things are made by him, the heaven, earth, and sea; and all that are in them, angels, men, beasts, birds, fishes, and all creatures: and these are made for himself, and not another; not for the pure or good men, as Aben Ezra, though all things are for the elect's sake; but for God himself, besides whom there was no other before the creation, nor is there any other... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:4

The Lord hath made all things for himself - He has so framed and executed every part of his creation, that it manifests his wisdom, power, goodness, and truth. Even the wicked for the day of evil - רעה ליום רשע וגם vegam rasha leyom raah . The whole verse is translated by the Chaldee thus: "All the works of the Lord are for those who obey him; and the wicked is reserved for the evil day." As רעה raah literally signifies to feed, it has been conjectured that the clause might be... 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 16:4

The Lord hath made all things for himself . So the Vulgate, propter semetipsum ; and Origen ('Praef. in Job'), δι ̓ ἑαυτόν . That is, God hath made everything for his own purpose, to answer the design which he hath intended from all eternity ( Revelation 4:11 ). But this translation is not in accordance with the present reading, לַמַּעַנֵהוּ , which means rather "for its own end," for its own proper use. Everything in God's design has its own end and object and reason for being... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:4

The purpose of creation It is commonly asserted that God made the world in love, that he created it from the goodness of his heart, because he desired to have creatures to bless. From this point of view, creation represents grace, giving, surrender, sacrifice, on the part of God. But another and apparently a contrary view is suggested by the words before us. Here it would seem that God created all things from self regarding motives, as a man makes a machine for his own use. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:4-9

The administration of rewards and punishments I. THE MORAL DESIGNS OF GOD . ( Proverbs 16:4 .) The creation is teleological ; it has a beginning, a process, and an end in view, all determined by the will and wisdom of God. If this is true of every plant, of every mollusc, it is true of every man. We are formed to illustrate his praise. Disobedience, with its consequences, ratifies his just and holy laws. II. THE MORAL FEELINGS OF GOD . ( Proverbs 16:5 .)... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 16:4

Proverbs 16:4. The Lord hath made all things And especially all men; for himself For his own service and glory; for the discovery and illustration of his own wisdom, power, goodness, truth, justice, and his other most glorious perfections. The Hebrew, כל פעל יהוה , is, literally, The Lord hath wrought, or doth work, all things; or, he ordereth, or disposeth of them; and so this may be understood of the works of providence, as well as of those of creation; yea, even the wicked ... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 16:4-9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 16:4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-33

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