Proverbs 16:22-33 NIV

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:23

Solomon had commended eloquence, or the sweetness of the lips (Prov. 16:21), and seemed to prefer it before wisdom; but here he corrects himself, as it were, and shows that unless there be a good treasure within to support the eloquence it is worth little. Wisdom in the heart is the main matter. 1. It is this that directs us in speaking, that teaches the mouth 3a8f what to speak, and when, and how, so that what is spoken may be proper, and pertinent, and seasonable; otherwise, though the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:24

The pleasant words here commended must be those which the heart of the wise teaches, and adds learning to (Prov. 16:23), words of seasonable advice, instruction, and comfort, words taken from God's word, for that is it which Solomon had learned from his father to account sweeter than honey and the honey-comb, Ps. 19:10. These words, to those that know how to relish them, 1. Are pleasant. They are like the honey-comb, sweet to the soul, which tastes in them that the Lord is gracious; nothing... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:25

This we had before (Prov. 14:12), but here it is repeated, as that which is very necessary to be thought of, 1. By way of caution to us all to take heed of deceiving ourselves in the great concerns of our souls by resting in that which seems right and is not really so, and, for the preventing of a self-delusion, to be impartial in self-examination and keep up a jealousy over ourselves. 2. By way of terror to those whose way is not right, is not as it should be, however it may seem to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:26

This is designed to engage us to diligence, and quicken us, what our hand finds to do, to do it with all our might, both in our worldly business and in the work of religion; for in the original it is, The soul that labours labours for itself. It is heart-work which is here intended, the labour of the soul, which is here recommended to us, 1. As that which will be absolutely needful. Our mouth is continually craving it of us; the necessities both of soul and body are pressing, and require... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:27-28

There are those that are not only vicious themselves, but spiteful and mischievous to others, and they are the worst of men; two sorts of such are here described:?1. Such as envy a man the honour of his good name, and do all they can to blast that by calumnies and misrepresentations: They dig up evil; they take a great deal of pains to find out something or other on which to ground a slander, or which may give some colour to it. If none appear above ground, rather than want it they will dig... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:29-30

Here is another sort of evil men described to us, that we may neither do like them, nor have any thing to do with them. 1. Such as (like Satan) do all the mischief they can by force and violence, as roaring lions, and not only by fraud and insinuation, as subtle serpents: They are violent men, that do all by rapine and oppression, that shut their eyes, meditating with the closest intention and application of mind to devise froward things, to contrive how they may do the greatest mischief to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:31

Note, 1. It ought to be the great care of old people to be found in the way of righteousness, the way of religion and serious godliness. Both God and man will look for them in that way; it will be expected that those that are old should be good, that the multitude of their years should teach them the best wisdom; let them therefore be found in that way. Death will come; the Judge is coming; the Lord is at hand. That they may be found of him in peace, let them be found in the way of... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:32

This recommends the grace of meekness to us, which will well become us all, particularly the hoary head, Prov. 16:31. Observe, 1. The nature of it. It is to be slow to anger, not easily put into a passion, nor apt to resent provocation, taking time to consider before we suffer our passion to break out, that it may not transgress due bounds, so slow in our motions towards anger that we may be quickly stopped and pacified. It is to have the rule of our own spirits, our appetites and affections,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:33

Note, 1. The divine Providence orders and directs those things which to us are perfectly casual and fortuitous. Nothing comes to pass by chance, nor is an event determined by a blind fortune, but every thing by the will and counsel of God. What man has neither eye nor hand in God is intimately concerned in. 2. When solemn appeals are made to Providence by the casting of lots, for the deciding of that matter of moment which could not otherwise be at all, or not so well, decided, God must be... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:23

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:24

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:27-28

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:29-30

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:32

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 16:33

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