Proverbs 16:19-18:11 NIV

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:1-33

1-9. God’s control of human life.1. Read, ’the preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.’ Man prepares his plans, but the decisive, final word is suggested by God. ’There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, roughhew them as we will.’2. Cp. 1 Corinthians 4:4.4. Read, ’The Lord hath made everything for its own end.’ God is the absolute Sovereign (Amos 3:6). The wicked are created for punishment (Exodus 9:16; Ezekiel 38:16; Ezekiel 39:21; Romans 9:17).... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-33

CHAPTER 17A JUST BALANCE"A just balance and scales are the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag are His work."- Proverbs 16:11"A false balance is an abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is His delight."- Proverbs 11:1"Diverse weights, and divers measures, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord."- Proverbs 20:10"Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord; and a false balance is not good."- Proverbs 20:23THE sixteenth chapter opens-and we may annex to it the last verse of... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Proverbs 16:1-33

CHAPTER 16 In the Light of the Lord The name Jehovah (LORD) appears eleven times in this chapter of Proverbs. The Lord has the final word, for to man belong the preparations (or plans) of the heart; but from the LORD is the answer of the tongue. It is the same thought as in our English proverb--“Man proposes--God disposes.” Man loves to justify himself, his ways are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits; He is the judge of ways and motives. Our works are to be committed... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Proverbs 16:1-33

In these chapters we have a series of exhortations to a life of godliness expressed in general terms about as follows: 1. Confidence in God as a wise ruler (chap. 16) 2. A disposition of peacefulness and contentment (chap. 17) 3. The virtues of affability, fidelity, and others of a social nature (chap. 18) 4. Humility and meekness (chap. 19) 5. Sobriety, diligence and kindness (chap. 21) 6. Justice, patience, submission (chap. 21) 7. The attainment and preservation of a good name (chap. 22) 8.... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Proverbs 16:1-33

The Answer of the Tongue, Etc. Proverbs 16:0 Here is a doctrine of inspiration which descends to the most practical line of life. This doctrine deals with the individual man, as well as collective humanity. Whenever the preparations of the heart are good that is, wise, prudent, purged of selfishness, and generous with the love of God, we find nothing less than a miracle of the Holy Ghost Naturally, the heart is deceitful above all things; it requires, therefore, great preparation, that is,... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Proverbs 16:8-33

Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. The wrath... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Proverbs 16:19

v. 19. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, to abide with those who are in trouble, content to lead a life of obscurity, than to divide the spoil with the proud, enjoying the ill-gotten gains of false ambition. read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Proverbs 16:1-33

2. Admonition to a walk in the fear of God and obedienceProverbs 16:1 to Proverbs 22:16α) Admonition to trust in God as the wise Ruler and Governor of the worldChap. 161 Man’s are the counsels of the heart,but the answer of the tongue is Jehovah’s.2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,but Jehovah weigheth the spirits.3 Commit thy works to Jehovah,so will thy plans be established.4 Jehovah hath made every thing for its end,even the wicked for the day of... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 16:1-33

Verse Proverbs 16:1. A somewhat obscure proverb which recognizes that man has to exercise his own reason in making his plans, but that he is dependent on the Lord for the answer of the tongue. Dr. Perowne's interpretation is most likely the correct one. He says: "The implied moral of the proverb is, If we cannot do the less without God, do not attempt to do the greater without Him." Verse Proverbs 16:4. This is simply the affirmation of the fact that in the orderliness of the divine economy... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 16:1-33

Proverbs Of Solomon Part 2 (Proverbs 15:22 to Proverbs 22:16 ). At this point there is a sudden switch from proverbs which contrast one thing with another, which have been predominant since Proverbs 10:1, to proverbs where the second clause adds something to the first. Whilst we still find some contrasting proverbs, especially at the beginning, they are not so common. This may suggest a deliberate intention by Solomon to separate his proverbs into two parts. Furthermore such a change at this... read more