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Proverbs 16:2
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Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
2 Every way of a man is pure in his own eyes; But a weigher of the spirits is Jahve. Variations of this verse are Pro 21:2, where ישׁר for זך (according to the root-meaning: pricking in the eyes, i.e., shining clear, then: without spot, pure, vid., Fleischer in Levy's Chald. Wrterbuch, i. 424), לבּות for רוּחות, and כּל־דּרך for כּל־דּרכי, whereupon here without synallage (for כל means the totality), the singular of the pred. follows, as Isa 64:10; Eze 31:15. For the rest, cf. with 2a, Pro 14:12, where, instead of the subj. בּעיני, is used לפני, and with 2b, Pro 24:12, where God is described by תּכן לבּות. The verb תּכן is a secondary formation from כּוּן (vid., Hupfeld on Psa 5:7), like תּכן from Arab. tyaḳn (to be fast, sure), the former through the medium of the reflex. התכּונן, the latter of the reflex. Arab. âitḳn; תּכן means to regulate (from regula, a rule), to measure off, to weigh, here not to bring into a condition right according to rule (Theodotion, ἑδράζων, stabiliens, Syr. Targ. מתקּן, Venet. καταρτίζει; Luther, "but the Lord maketh the heart sure"), but to measure or weigh, and therefore to estimate rightly, to know accurately (Jerome, spiritum ponderator est Dominus). The judgment of a man regarding the cause of life, which it is good for him to enter upon, lies exposed to great and subtle self-deception; but God has the measure and weight, i.e., the means of proving, so as to value the spirits according to their true moral worth; his investigation goes to the root (cf. κριτικός, Heb 4:12), his judgment rests on the knowledge of the true state of the matter, and excludes all deception, so that thus a man can escape the danger of delusion by no other means than by placing his way, i.e., his external and internal life, in the light of the word of God, and desiring for himself the all-penetrating test of the Searcher of hearts (Psa 139:23.), and the self-knowledge corresponding to the result of this test.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
clean--or, "faultless." weigheth--or, "tries," "judges," implying that they are faulty (Pro 21:2; Pro 24:12).
John Gill Bible Commentary
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes,.... All right and well, not only some, but all, having a high opinion of himself; for this is to be understood of a self-righteous man, who is pure in his own eyes, though not cleansed from his filthiness, and so fancies every way he walks in, and everything he does, is pure; this is owing to want of knowledge of the impurity of his nature; was he sensible of this, he would see that his best righteousness is as filthy rags and to his ignorance of the spirituality of the law, which, was he acquainted with, he would find, on comparing himself with it, that he and all he did was polluted and unclean: some read the words, "all the ways of a pure man are before his eyes": the eyes of the Lord, he sees them, and approves of them; so Aben Ezra; and to this agrees the Septuagint version, "all the works of an humble man are manifest with God"; and the Arabic version, "all the works of an humble man are clean before God"; but the former reading and sense seem best; but the Lord weigheth the spirits; searches and tries the hearts; he sees, knows, and observes the principles of all actions, and can as exactly adjust the nature and quality of them, as a man, with a pair of scales in his hands, can tell precisely the weight of anything put into them; the Lord weighs the spirits, or hearts, from whence all actions flow, by his omniscience, and accordingly judges of them by that, and not by the outward appearance; and he weighs all actions by his law, in the balance of the sanctuary, where they are found wanting, and come greatly short of that purity and perfection pharisaical persons imagine there is in them.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Note, 1. We are all apt to be partial in judging of ourselves: All the ways of a man, all his designs, all his doings, are clean in his own eyes, and he sees nothing amiss in them, nothing for which to condemn himself, or which should make his projects prove otherwise than well; and therefore he is confident of success, and that the answer of the tongue shall be according to the expectations of the heart; but there is a great deal of pollution cleaving to our ways, which we are not aware of, or do not think so ill of as we ought. 2. The judgment of God concerning us, we are sure, is according to truth: He weighs the spirits in a just and unerring balance, knows what is in us, and passes a judgment upon us accordingly, writing Tekel upon that which passed our scale with approbation - weighed in the balance and found wanting; and by his judgment we must stand or fall. He not only sees men's ways but tries their spirits, and we are as our spirits are.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
16:2 God’s moral evaluation is what counts (see Gen 8:21; 1 Sam 13:14; 16:6-7; Luke 16:15). This proverb is repeated almost verbatim in Prov 21:2.
Proverbs 16:2
The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD
1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD. 2All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
"a.w. Tozer on Judgment"
By Leonard Ravenhill16K00:451SA 16:7PRO 16:2MAT 6:11CO 4:5HEB 4:12This sermon delves into the importance of examining our motives behind our actions, emphasizing that we will be judged not just for what we have done but for the reasons and motives behind our deeds. It highlights the concern of missed opportunities and the significance of understanding the true intentions and heart behind our actions.
How Deep Is Your Digging
By Wesley H. Wakefield2.1K36:51GEN 5:241KI 18:412KI 3:16PSA 63:1PRO 16:2MAT 5:6MAT 7:24In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about Mr. Finney and a little girl who taught him a valuable lesson about revival. The preacher emphasizes that revival is not just about external excitement or church growth, but about a deep spiritual transformation. He uses the analogy of digging ditches to illustrate the importance of obedience to God and sincere devotion. The preacher also references Luke 6:47, where Jesus teaches about building a house on a solid foundation, emphasizing the need to dig deep and build our lives on the rock of God's word.
The Rich and the Poor Part 1
By Chuck Smith1.3K25:05Poor1SA 15:22PRO 3:5PRO 14:12PRO 16:2PRO 17:9PRO 21:1MAT 6:33The video is a sermon by Pastor Chuck Smith on the book of Proverbs, specifically focusing on Proverbs 21:1. Pastor Chuck explains that the purpose of Proverbs is to impart wisdom and instruction. He emphasizes that God is sovereign and in control, even over the hearts of kings. He encourages listeners to live in a way that honors God, knowing that He sees everything we do. The video also mentions a DVD called "The Power of Forgiveness" which tells the story of Charles Tex Watson and his search for fulfillment, ultimately leading him to Charles Manson.
How Much Does Your Spirit Weigh
By Bob Phillips3501:08:23Christian LifePRO 16:2MAT 7:17JHN 4:24ROM 8:162CO 7:1GAL 5:22HEB 5:14In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of the spirit in a person's life. He refers to various biblical passages that mention the spirit as the inner man or the heart. The speaker shares his personal experiences and emphasizes the need to prioritize the spiritual aspect of life. He also mentions a survey conducted by a church to understand the preferences of the community, resulting in a church that avoids controversial topics and focuses on non-theological issues. The sermon concludes with a prayer for God to draw people closer to Him and address every area of their lives.
Pleasing the Father
By Anton Bosch01SA 15:22PRO 16:2ISA 6:8EZK 22:30MAT 3:15MAT 3:17LUK 2:511CO 10:31PHP 2:5COL 3:23Anton Bosch preaches on the highest form of acknowledgment and approval that Jesus received from God after His baptism, highlighting three key actions that led to this acclaim: Jesus' willingness to come to earth and take on human flesh, His obedience in being baptized to fulfill God's will, and His exemplary life in every detail that pleased the Father. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being willing to go where God sends us, obeying even in the smallest things, and living a life dedicated to honoring God in every aspect, whether in work, relationships, or spiritual matters.
What Is the Biggest Sin ?
By Anton Bosch0PSA 10:4PRO 11:2PRO 16:2DAN 5:20JAS 4:6Anton Bosch emphasizes the destructive nature of pride, highlighting how it is the root sin that leads many to Hell and causes Christians to miss out on God's blessings. Pride blinds us to our own sins, making us deaf to God's Word, and cripples us from changing direction or admitting wrongdoing. It paralyzes us from repentance, speaking words of apology, reaching out for help, and destroys our spiritual immune system, leaving us vulnerable to other sins. Ultimately, pride separates us from God and others, leading to spiritual death.
The Name Underneath
By H. P. Barker01SA 16:7PSA 139:23PRO 16:2PRO 21:2MAT 6:11CO 3:131CO 10:31COL 3:23HEB 4:12H. P. Barker delivers a sermon on the importance of examining our motives in our actions and service to God. Using the story of the architect Cnidius who sought fame by subtly inscribing his name on a tower meant to warn mariners, Barker highlights the significance of pure motives in the eyes of God. He emphasizes that at the judgment seat of Christ, our motives will be weighed heavily, and the quality of our works will be evaluated based on the purity of our intentions, not just the quantity of our deeds.
Holy Motives
By A.W. Tozer0MotiveHolinessPRO 16:2MAT 5:161CO 10:31GAL 1:10COL 3:23A.W. Tozer emphasizes the significance of holy motives in our actions, warning against allowing temporal consequences to dictate eternal decisions. He cautions that even good deeds can be tainted if motivated by fear or personal gain, and stresses that the true measure of an act's goodness lies in its intention to glorify God and benefit others. Tozer encourages believers to consider their motives carefully, advocating for silence over harmful speech and urging that love should guide our actions rather than fear. Ultimately, he asserts that without a holy motive, no act can be deemed truly holy.
Do Not Bear Proper Fruits
By Harmon A. Baldwin0PRO 16:2MAT 7:16MAT 7:20ROM 14:41CO 4:5GAL 6:4JAS 2:171PE 1:221JN 1:71JN 3:18Harmon A. Baldwin addresses the objection that many professors of holiness do not bear the fruits of holiness, comparing it to the fallacy of assuming all people speak English or German just because those encountered do. He explains that some who claim holiness may lack proper evidence due to misunderstanding, lack of knowledge, or over-conscientiousness, leading to a deficiency in bearing fruits. Baldwin also highlights that some may be cleansed but mistaken in requirements, emphasizing that God purifies motives and allows room for growth in grace. Additionally, he points out the error in expecting more from holiness professing individuals than God does and acknowledges the presence of hypocrites within the holiness profession.
On Christian Motives
By Thomas Reade01SA 16:71CH 28:2PRO 16:2ZEC 4:10MAT 6:1ROM 14:231CO 13:12CO 5:7COL 3:17HEB 11:17Thomas Reade preaches about the importance of examining the motives behind our actions in Christianity, emphasizing the need to act from a place of faith and love rather than seeking human approval or recognition. He contrasts the actions of those who perform religious duties for show with those who do so with sincerity and humility, highlighting the significance of genuine faith in Jesus Christ. Reade urges self-examination to ensure that our actions are pleasing to God and rooted in a desire to glorify His name, warning against the dangers of self-seeking and vanity in our service to God.
Knowledge of One's Sins, a Difficult Acquisition.
By Edward Payson0PSA 19:12PRO 16:2PRO 21:2PRO 28:13JER 17:9ROM 3:201CO 4:4HEB 4:12JAS 1:221JN 1:8Edward Payson preaches on the difficulty of understanding our own errors and sins, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's cleansing from hidden faults. He explains that acquiring knowledge of our sinfulness is challenging due to human ignorance of the divine law, the nature of the human mind, the prevalence of self-love, the deceitfulness of sin, and the effects of sin on our understanding and conscience. Payson urges his listeners to examine their hearts honestly, considering the possibility of self-deception and the need for repentance and reliance on God's grace for true transformation.
Blameless, Not Faultless
By Thomas Cook01SA 16:7PSA 19:12PRO 16:2MAT 5:481CO 13:42CO 12:9PHP 1:61TH 5:23HEB 10:141JN 1:8Thomas Cook delves into the concept of holiness, emphasizing that it involves being blameless but not faultless, as grace does not make individuals infallible. He explains that while we may have experienced the grace of God, we will still have human weaknesses and imperfections until we are made faultless in the presence of God's glory. Cook highlights the importance of intentions over results, stating that God values the purity of our motives and intentions, even when our actions may be flawed. He stresses that perfect love is not about flawless achievement but about sincere efforts to please God, likening it to a blind child's imperfect but cherished attempt to write a letter to their father.
(The Full Gospel) 25. a Spiritual Check-Up
By Zac Poonen0PRO 16:2MAT 6:33MAT 12:361CO 10:31EPH 4:29PHP 2:3COL 3:13JAS 4:171PE 4:101JN 4:20Zac Poonen delivers a powerful sermon challenging believers to examine their thoughts, words, and actions throughout the day, emphasizing the importance of living a life aligned with God's principles. He prompts introspection on various aspects such as forgiveness, humility, love for others, stewardship of time and resources, and the purity of thoughts. Poonen encourages a lifestyle of prayer, service, simplicity, and accountability in relationships, urging believers to prioritize seeking God's kingdom, living in truth, and walking in love towards all.
First Things First
By A.W. Pink0Prioritizing GodSpiritual Commitment2CH 20:12PSA 5:3PRO 4:23PRO 16:2ISA 26:8ISA 44:6MAT 6:33MAT 23:262CO 8:51TI 5:4A.W. Pink emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing God in our lives as we enter a new year, urging believers to focus on eternal matters rather than dissipating their energies on secondary pursuits. He highlights the importance of seeking God's presence first each day, surrendering our wills to Him, and maintaining purity of heart. Pink reminds us that true service to God begins at home, where our actions should reflect our faith. By putting first things first, we align ourselves with God's will and ensure that our lives bear fruit for His glory. Ultimately, he calls for a heartfelt commitment to God, recognizing Him as the source of all strength and wisdom.
Design or Intention Constitutes Character
By Charles Finney0IntentionsMoral Character1SA 16:7PSA 28:4PRO 16:2JER 17:10MAT 5:8ROM 8:271CO 4:52CO 5:10GAL 6:7COL 3:23Charles Finney emphasizes that a person's moral character is defined by their ultimate intention rather than their actions or subordinate intentions. He explains the distinction between intention and volition, asserting that true moral character lies in the supreme intention of the mind, which should be to glorify God. Finney warns that intentions can be sinful or holy, and that the ultimate aim of one's actions must be disinterestedly benevolent to be considered holy. He concludes that God will judge individuals based on their intentions, not merely their actions, highlighting the importance of self-examination in understanding one's true character.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
2 Every way of a man is pure in his own eyes; But a weigher of the spirits is Jahve. Variations of this verse are Pro 21:2, where ישׁר for זך (according to the root-meaning: pricking in the eyes, i.e., shining clear, then: without spot, pure, vid., Fleischer in Levy's Chald. Wrterbuch, i. 424), לבּות for רוּחות, and כּל־דּרך for כּל־דּרכי, whereupon here without synallage (for כל means the totality), the singular of the pred. follows, as Isa 64:10; Eze 31:15. For the rest, cf. with 2a, Pro 14:12, where, instead of the subj. בּעיני, is used לפני, and with 2b, Pro 24:12, where God is described by תּכן לבּות. The verb תּכן is a secondary formation from כּוּן (vid., Hupfeld on Psa 5:7), like תּכן from Arab. tyaḳn (to be fast, sure), the former through the medium of the reflex. התכּונן, the latter of the reflex. Arab. âitḳn; תּכן means to regulate (from regula, a rule), to measure off, to weigh, here not to bring into a condition right according to rule (Theodotion, ἑδράζων, stabiliens, Syr. Targ. מתקּן, Venet. καταρτίζει; Luther, "but the Lord maketh the heart sure"), but to measure or weigh, and therefore to estimate rightly, to know accurately (Jerome, spiritum ponderator est Dominus). The judgment of a man regarding the cause of life, which it is good for him to enter upon, lies exposed to great and subtle self-deception; but God has the measure and weight, i.e., the means of proving, so as to value the spirits according to their true moral worth; his investigation goes to the root (cf. κριτικός, Heb 4:12), his judgment rests on the knowledge of the true state of the matter, and excludes all deception, so that thus a man can escape the danger of delusion by no other means than by placing his way, i.e., his external and internal life, in the light of the word of God, and desiring for himself the all-penetrating test of the Searcher of hearts (Psa 139:23.), and the self-knowledge corresponding to the result of this test.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
clean--or, "faultless." weigheth--or, "tries," "judges," implying that they are faulty (Pro 21:2; Pro 24:12).
John Gill Bible Commentary
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes,.... All right and well, not only some, but all, having a high opinion of himself; for this is to be understood of a self-righteous man, who is pure in his own eyes, though not cleansed from his filthiness, and so fancies every way he walks in, and everything he does, is pure; this is owing to want of knowledge of the impurity of his nature; was he sensible of this, he would see that his best righteousness is as filthy rags and to his ignorance of the spirituality of the law, which, was he acquainted with, he would find, on comparing himself with it, that he and all he did was polluted and unclean: some read the words, "all the ways of a pure man are before his eyes": the eyes of the Lord, he sees them, and approves of them; so Aben Ezra; and to this agrees the Septuagint version, "all the works of an humble man are manifest with God"; and the Arabic version, "all the works of an humble man are clean before God"; but the former reading and sense seem best; but the Lord weigheth the spirits; searches and tries the hearts; he sees, knows, and observes the principles of all actions, and can as exactly adjust the nature and quality of them, as a man, with a pair of scales in his hands, can tell precisely the weight of anything put into them; the Lord weighs the spirits, or hearts, from whence all actions flow, by his omniscience, and accordingly judges of them by that, and not by the outward appearance; and he weighs all actions by his law, in the balance of the sanctuary, where they are found wanting, and come greatly short of that purity and perfection pharisaical persons imagine there is in them.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Note, 1. We are all apt to be partial in judging of ourselves: All the ways of a man, all his designs, all his doings, are clean in his own eyes, and he sees nothing amiss in them, nothing for which to condemn himself, or which should make his projects prove otherwise than well; and therefore he is confident of success, and that the answer of the tongue shall be according to the expectations of the heart; but there is a great deal of pollution cleaving to our ways, which we are not aware of, or do not think so ill of as we ought. 2. The judgment of God concerning us, we are sure, is according to truth: He weighs the spirits in a just and unerring balance, knows what is in us, and passes a judgment upon us accordingly, writing Tekel upon that which passed our scale with approbation - weighed in the balance and found wanting; and by his judgment we must stand or fall. He not only sees men's ways but tries their spirits, and we are as our spirits are.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
16:2 God’s moral evaluation is what counts (see Gen 8:21; 1 Sam 13:14; 16:6-7; Luke 16:15). This proverb is repeated almost verbatim in Prov 21:2.