Proverbs 21:1-14 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:1

Note, 1. Even the hearts of men are in God's hand, and not only their goings, as he had said, Prov. 20:24. God can change men's minds, can, by a powerful insensible operation under their spirits, turn them from that which they seemed most intent upon, and incline them to that which they seemed most averse to, as the husbandman, by canals and gutters, turns the water through his grounds as he pleases, which does not alter the nature of the water, nor put any force upon it, any more than God's... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:2

Note, 1. We are all apt to be partial in judging of ourselves and our own actions, and to think too favourably of our own character, as if there was nothing amiss in it: Every way of a man, even his by-way, is right in his own eyes. The proud heart is very ingenious in putting a fair face upon a foul matter, and in making that appear right to itself which is far from being so, to stop the mouth of conscience. 2. We are sure that the judgment of God concerning us is according to truth. Whatever... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:3

Here, 1. It is implied that many deceive themselves with a conceit that, if they offer sacrifice, that will excuse them from doing justice, and procure them a dispensation for their unrighteousness; and this makes their way seem right, Prov. 21:2. We have fasted, Isa. 58:3. I have peace-offerings with me, Prov. 7:14. 2. It is plainly declared that living a good life (doing justly and loving mercy) is more pleasing to God than the most pompous and expensive instances of devotion. Sacrifices... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:4

This may be taken as showing us, 1. The marks of a wicked man. He that has a high look and a proud heart, that carries himself insolently and scornfully towards both God and man, and that is always ploughing and plotting, designing and devising some mischief or other, is indeed a wicked man. The light of the wicked is sin. Sin is the pride, the ambition, the glory and joy, and the business of wicked men. 2. The miseries of wicked man. His raised expectations, his high designs, and most... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:5

Here is, 1. The way to be rich. If we would live plentifully and comfortably in the world, we must be diligent in our business, and not shrink from the toil and trouble of it, but prosecute it closely, improving all advantages and opportunities for it, and doing what we do with all our might; yet we must not be hasty in it, nor hurry ourselves and others with it, but keep doing fair and softly, which, we say, goes far in a day. With diligence there must be contrivance. The thoughts of the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:6

This shows the folly of those that hope to enrich themselves by dishonest practices, by oppressing and over-reaching those with whom they deal, by false-witness-bearing, or by fraudulent contracts, of those that make no scruples of lying when there is any thing to be got by it. They may perhaps heap up treasures by these means, that which they make their treasure; but, 1. They will not meet with the satisfaction they expect. It is a vanity tossed to and fro; it will be disappointment and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:7

See here, 1. The nature of injustice. Getting money by lying (Prov. 21:6) is no better than downright robbery. Cheating is stealing; you might as well pick a man's pocket as impose upon him by a lie in making a bargain, which he had no fence against but by not believing you; and it will be no excuse from the guilt of robbery to say that he might choose whether he would believe you, for that is a debt we should owe to all men. 2. The cause of injustice. Men refuse to do judgment; they will not... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:8

This shows that as men are so is their way. 1. Evil men have evil ways. If the man be froward, his way also is strange; and this is the way of most men, such is the general corruption of mankind. They have all gone aside (Ps. 14:2, 3); all flesh have perverted their way. But the froward man, the man of deceit, that acts by craft and trick in all he does, his way is strange, contrary to all the rules of honour and honesty. It is strange, for you know not where to find him nor when you have him;... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:9

See here, 1. What a great affliction it is to a man to have a brawling scolding woman for his wife, who upon every occasion, and often upon no occasion, breaks out into a passion, and chides either him or those about her, is fretful to herself and furious to her children and servants, and, in both, vexatious to her husband. If a man has a wide house, spacious and pompous, this will embitter the comfort of it to him?a house of society (so the word is), in which a man may be sociable, and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:10

See here the character of a very wicked man. 1. The strong inclination he has to do mischief. His very soul desires evil, desires that evil may be done and that he may have the pleasure, not only of seeing it, but of having a hand in it. The root of wickedness lies in the soul; the desire that men have to do evil, that is the lust which conceives and brings forth sin. 2. The strong aversion he has to do good: His neighbour, his friend, his nearest relation, finds no favour in his eyes, cannot... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:10

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