Proverbs 20:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 20:9

This question is not only a challenge to any man in the world to prove himself sinless, whatever he pretends, but a lamentation of the corruption of mankind, even that which remains in the best. Alas! Who can say, ?I am sinless?? Observe, 1. Who the persons are that are excluded from these pretensions?all, one as well as another. Here, in this imperfect state, no person whatsoever can pretend to be without sin. Adam could say so in innocency, and saints can say so in heaven, but none in this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 20:9

Who can say, I have made my heart clean ,.... The heart of than is naturally unclean, the mind, conscience, understanding, will, and affections; there is no part clean, all are defiled with sin; and though there is such a thing as a pure or clean heart, yet not as made so by men; it is God that has made the heart, that can only make it clean, or create a clean heart in men; it is not to be done by themselves, or by anything that they can do; it is done only by the grace of God, and blood of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 20:9

Who can say, I have made any heart clean - No man. But thousands can testify that the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed them from all unrighteousness. And he is pure from his sin, who is justified freely through the redemption that is in Jesus. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:6-11

The frailty of mankind I. THE RARITY OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP . ( Proverbs 20:6 .) Many are ready to promise, few willing to perform. Many eager to say, "Lord, Lord!" comparatively few to do the will of the Father in heaven. There is no want of good notions in the world; but, according to the Italian proverb, many are so good that they are good for nothing. The spirit may be willing, the flesh is weak. Inclination to good needs to be fortified by faith in God. II. THE JUST ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:9

Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? The question implies the answer, "No one." This is expressed in Job 14:4 , "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one." At the dedication of the temple, Solomon enunciates this fact of man's corruption, "There is no man that sinneth not" ( 1 Kings 8:46 ). The prophet testifies, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is desperately sick: who can know it?" ( Jeremiah 17:9 ). And St. John warns, "If we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:9

Universal sinfulness We must distinguish between the idea of universal sinfulness and that of total depravity. We may hold that there is some gleam of goodness in a human heart without maintaining its immaculate purity. It is possible to believe that there are great varieties of character, many different degrees of sin, and yet to see that the highest saint has his faults. I. NO ONE CAN CLEAR HIMSELF FROM THE CHARGE OF SINFULNESS . Who can say, "I have made my heart... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 20:9

Purity of heart A subject that stretches back and looks onward as far as the limits of human history. But Jesus Christ has introduced into the world a power for purity which is peculiar to his gospel. I. THE UTTER UGLINESS OF IMPURITY . To the eye of holy men there is an unspeakable offensiveness in any form of impurity—selfishness, worldliness, covetousness, sensuality, whatever it may be. And how much more hideous and intolerable must it be in the eyes of the Holy One... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 20:9

Proverbs 20:9 . Who can say, I have made my heart clean? No man can say that he hath made his own heart clean: but God can create in man a clean heart, as David expresses himself, Psalms 51:10, (on which see the note,) and can renew a right spirit within him; I am pure from my sin No man can render himself pure, either from the guilt of his past sins, or from the power or pollution of his corrupt inclinations and passions; but God surely, according to his promise, if we confess our... 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 20:9

can = is able to. I am pure, &c. Illustrations: Job before he learned his lesson (Job 9:17 ; Job 10:7 ; Job 11:4 ; Job 16:17 ; Job 23:10 , Job 23:11 ; Job 27:5 ; Job 29:14 ; Job 31:1 ; Compare Pro 33:9 . But not after, See Pro 42:5 , Pro 42:6 ). None of God's own people say this. Not David. (2 Samuel 12:13 . Compare Psalms 51:1-7 ); not Psalmist ( Pro 119:176 ); not Ezra (Ezra 9:6 ); not Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:33 , Nehemiah 9:34 ); not Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5 , Isaiah 6:6 ); not Daniel (Daniel... read more

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