Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary

Proverbs 16

Commentaries

Proverbs 16:1 The renewing grace of God alone prepares the heart for every good work. This teaches us that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think or speak any thing wise and good. MHBC 645.1

Proverbs 16:2 Ignorance, pride, and self-flattery render us partial judges respecting our own conduct. MHBC 645.2

Proverbs 16:3 Roll the burden of thy care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on him. MHBC 645.3

Proverbs 16:4 God makes use of the wicked to execute righteous vengeance on each other; and he will be glorified by their destruction at last. MHBC 645.4

Proverbs 16:5 Though sinners strengthen themselves and one another, they shall not escape God's judgments. MHBC 645.5

Proverbs 16:6 By the mercy and truth of God in Christ Jesus, the sins of believers are taken away, and the power of sin is broken. MHBC 645.6

Proverbs 16:7 He that has all hearts in his hand, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him. MHBC 645.7

Proverbs 16:8 A small estate, honestly come by, will turn to better account than a great estate ill-gotten. MHBC 645.8

Proverbs 16:9 If men make God's glory their end, and his will their rule, he will direct their steps by his Spirit and grace. 10. Let kings and judges of the earth be just, and rule in the fear of God. MHBC 645.9

Proverbs 16:11 To observe justice in dealings between man and man is God's appointment. MHBC 645.10

Proverbs 16:12 The ruler that uses his power aright, will find that to be his best security. MHBC 645.11

Proverbs 16:13 Put those in power who know how to speak to the purpose. MHBC 645.12

Proverbs 16:14,15 Those are fools, who, to obtain the favour of an earthly prince, throw themselves out of God's favour. MHBC 645.13

Proverbs 16:16 There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom. MHBC 645.14

Proverbs 16:17 A sincerely religious man keeps at a distance from every appearance of evil. Happy is the man that walks in Christ, and is led by the Spirit of Christ. MHBC 645.15

Proverbs 16:18 When men defy God's judgments, and think themselves far from them, it is a sign they are at the door. Let us not fear the pride of others, but fear pride in ourselves. MHBC 645.16

Proverbs 16:19 Humility, though it exposes to contempt in the world, is much better than high-spiritedness, which makes God an enemy. He that understands God's word shall find good. MHBC 645.17

Proverbs 16:21 The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents. MHBC 645.18

Proverbs 16:22 As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours. MHBC 645.19

Proverbs 16:23 The wise man's self-knowledge, always suggests something proper to be spoken to others. MHBC 645.20

Proverbs 16:24 The word of God cures the diseases that weaken our souls. MHBC 645.21

Proverbs 16:25 This is caution to all, to take heed of deceiving themselves as to their souls. MHBC 645.22

Proverbs 16:26 We must labour for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, or we must perish. MHBC 645.23

Proverbs 16:27,28 Ungodly men bestow more pains to do mischief than would be needful to do good. The whisperer separates friends: what a hateful, but how common a character! MHBC 645.24

Proverbs 16:29,30 Some do all the mischief they can by force and violence, and are blind to the result. MHBC 645.25

Proverbs 16:31 Old people especially should be found in the way of religion and godliness. MHBC 645.26

Proverbs 16:32 To overcome our own passions, requires more steady management, than obtaining victory over an enemy. MHBC 645.27

Proverbs 16:33 All the disposal of Providence concerning our affairs, we must look upon to be the determining what we referred to God; and we must be reconciled to them accordingly. Blessed are those that give themselves up to the will of God; for he knows what is good for them. MHBC 645.28