Proverbs 20:24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:24

We are here taught that in all our affairs, 1. We have a necessary and constant dependence upon God. All our natural actions depend upon his providence, all our spiritual actions upon his grace. The best man is no better than God makes him; and every creature is that to us which it is the will of God that it should be. Our enterprises succeed, not as we desire and design, but as God directs and disposes. The goings even of a strong man (so the word signifies) are of the Lord, for his strength... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:24

Man's goings are of the Lord ,.... In a natural and literal sense, the instruments of going are of the Lord; the act of motion from place to place is not without the concourse of his providence; as in him we live, and move, and have our being, so "in and by him we move"; he preserves our going out and coming in; and as the preservation, so the success and prosperity of journeying are owing to his providence, and the whole is under his care and direction: and so likewise, in a civil sense,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:24

Man's goings are of the Lord - He, by his providence, governs all the great concerns of the world. Man often traverses these operations; but he does it to his own damage. An old writer quaintly says: "They who will carve for themselves shall cut their fingers." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:24

Man's goings are of the Lord. In the first clause the word for "man" is geber, which implies "a mighty man;" in the second clause the word is adam , "a human creature." So the Septuagint has ἀνὴρ in one clause and θνητὸς in the other. The proverb says that the steps of a great and powerful man depend, as their final cause, upon the Lord; he conditions and controls results. Man has free will, and is responsible for his actions, but God foreknows them, and holds the thread that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:24-30

The truth of life in diverse aspects We may divide the matter as follows. I. DIVINE PROVIDENCE . ( Proverbs 20:24 .) It is needful, for human wisdom is shortsighted, and human direction inadequate. It is a gracious fact, and, if acknowledged, brings blessing to the trustful mind and heart. Each man has a life vocation. God appoints it, and will reveal the means for the attainment of it. We cannot enter the kingdom except through the guidance of Christ. II. HUMAN ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:24

Proverbs 20:24. Man’s goings are of the Lord All men’s purposes and actions are so entirely subject to the control of God’s overruling providence, and so liable to be frustrated or changed, as he shall see good, and to be directed to ends so far distant from those they thought of and intended, that it is impossible for any man to know what shall be the event of any of his undertakings. The intention of this proverb is, to show that the events of human life are neither ordered nor foreseen... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:1-30

Honesty (20:1-30)Wise people will not become drunkards, will not needlessly anger those in authority, will avoid quarrelling and will work to support themselves (20:1-4). They will also have the ability to draw out the deepest feelings and intentions of those with whom they deal (5). Many people boast of their loyalty but few practise it. To live honestly is the best way to guarantee a good future for one’s children (6-7). A king learns by experience to discern between right and wrong in cases... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 20:24

Man's = A strong man's. Hebrew. geber. App-14 . man = an ordinary man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 20:24

"A man's goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way?""The steps of a man are guided by the Lord. But who is the man that can understand his own way."[17] Although the freedom of the human will and the individual responsibility of every mortal are continually affirmed throughout Proverbs, "This verse stresses the absolute sovereignty of God."[18] There is indeed a sublime mystery in every life. "The order of a man's life is a mystery even to himself. He knows not whither he is... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 20:24

24. Man's goings—literally, "Stately steppings of a strong man." a man—any common man. understand—or, "perceive." read more

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