Proverbs Chapter 16
Proverbs 16:1–4
Proverbs 16:1
“The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.”
The proverb acknowledges that while man may plan, arrange, and prepare the thoughts and purposes of his heart, the outcome—particularly the spoken result of those intentions—rests in the sovereign control of God. Man is responsible for diligent thought and preparation, yet his reasoning and efforts remain subject to divine direction. God governs not only the final word but also the influence it carries. When wisdom finds its voice, it is because the Lord has ordained the timing and content of that answer.
Morgan notes, “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.” This emphasizes that human reason operates within the framework of divine sovereignty. A man may craft his arguments and form his intentions, but the Lord determines how those intentions manifest in reality. This truth reminds the believer to approach every plan with humility, understanding that God’s authority extends even to the words that flow from our lips.
Proverbs 16:2
“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.”
This verse confronts humanity’s innate tendency toward self-deception and self-righteousness. Every person naturally views their own actions as right or justifiable. It is easy to rationalize sin, excuse error, and frame one’s conduct in a favorable light. Even those who commit grievous acts often consider themselves justified or misunderstood. As Spurgeon observed, “They who are best acquainted with mankind will tell you that self-righteousness is not the peculiar sin of the virtuous, but that most remarkably, it flourishes best where there appears to be the least soil for it.”
However, while mankind may live under illusions of purity, the Lord discerns the truth. God weighs the spirits, meaning He examines the motives, intentions, and inner condition of the heart. Human judgment is superficial; God’s judgment is penetrating and exact. As Ross explains, “The conclusion of the matter is that we deceive ourselves so easily and therefore cannot fully evaluate ourselves. God, by his Spirit and through his Word, provides the penetrating evaluation.” It is only through submission to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that we see ourselves clearly.
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”
Solomon here calls for complete dependence upon the Lord in all endeavors. To “commit” means to roll or transfer one’s burden onto another, as one rolls a heavy load upon a stronger back. Thus, committing one’s works to the Lord signifies entrusting every plan, project, and pursuit to God’s care and direction. Poole interprets it, “Refer all thy actions and concerns to God, and to his glory.”
The Hebrew term golel, meaning “roll,” conveys a sense of finality and surrender. Waltke comments, “Roll it unto the Lord and leave it there.” The believer is to trust that once his work has been placed in God’s hands, it remains under His sovereign management. Kidner adds that our plans “will be no less our own for being his—only less burdensome and better made.” This act of surrender not only removes anxiety but aligns human effort with divine will.
Interestingly, Solomon reverses the common order: rather than committing our thoughts first, he instructs us to commit our works, and then our thoughts will be established. This implies that obedience often precedes understanding. When we step forward in faith and entrust our labor to the Lord, He in turn stabilizes our plans and aligns our thinking with His purpose.
Proverbs 16:4
“The Lord has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.”
This verse proclaims the absolute sovereignty of God over creation and history. Every part of creation exists for His purpose and glory. Nothing is outside His control, and no event is beyond His design. The Lord has made all for Himself, meaning everything ultimately fulfills His divine plan, whether through blessing or judgment.
The second half of the verse is sobering: “Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.” God’s providence encompasses even the wicked, who by their rebellion and unbelief still serve to demonstrate His justice. This does not mean that God authors evil or forces men into sin. Rather, as Kidner explains, “There are ultimately no loose ends in God’s world: everything will be put to some use and matched with its proper fate.” Clarke adds, “He does not make the wicked or ungodly man; but when man has made himself such, even then God bears with him. But if he repent not, when the measure of his iniquity is filled up, he shall fall under the wrath of God his Maker.”
John Trapp rejects the notion that this verse supports the predestination of the damned, affirming instead God’s perfect justice: “For God may, to show his sovereignty, annihilate his creature; but to appoint a reasonable creature to an estate of endless pain, without respect of his desert, cannot agree to the unspotted justice of God.” Thus, Proverbs 16:4 affirms that while the wicked serve as instruments through which God’s righteousness is revealed, they remain fully responsible for their choices.
Proverbs 16:5–8
Proverbs 16:5
“Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished.”
Pride is one of the most offensive sins in the sight of God because it exalts man above his proper place and challenges the very sovereignty of the Lord. Scripture makes it clear that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6) and again in 1 Peter 5:5: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” The proud in heart are not merely misguided or mistaken; they are an abomination to the Lord, for pride mirrors the rebellion of Satan himself. Isaiah records that fall in Isaiah 14:12–15:
“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!
For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit.”
The proud heart imitates that same spirit of self-exaltation that led to Satan’s downfall. Pride blinds the soul, separates man from God, and invites divine resistance.
The verse continues, “Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.” Pride is not weakened when it is multiplied among men; collective arrogance is no match for divine judgment. When humanity gathered together in defiance of God at Babel, uniting under one language and one cause, they were scattered by His hand (Genesis 11:1–9). God’s justice is not deterred by numbers, unity, or power. No alliance of proud men can stand against the will of the Almighty.
Proverbs 16:6
“In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.”
This verse presents two pillars of redemption: mercy and truth. Together, they form the foundation upon which atonement is made. God’s mercy moved Him to provide a sacrifice for sin, and His truth required that the payment satisfy His righteousness. Thus, atonement is both an act of divine compassion and an expression of divine justice.
As Clarke rightly explains, “This may be misunderstood, as if a man, by showing mercy and acting according to truth, could atone for his own iniquity. The Hebrew text is not ambiguous: ‘By mercy and truth he shall atone for iniquity.’ He—God, by His mercy, in sending His Son Jesus into the world—‘shall make an atonement for iniquity’ according to His truth—the word which He declared by His holy prophets since the world began.” In Jesus Christ, mercy and truth met together, fulfilling what Psalm 85:10 declares:
“Mercy and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed.”
Bridges insightfully observed that “Mercy engages; truth fulfills.” God’s mercy moved Him to redeem, and His truth determined the just means by which redemption would occur. Christ satisfied both.
Some interpreters view this proverb as referring to man’s mercy and truth toward others, yet this cannot imply self-atonement. Instead, it reflects the fruit of true repentance—the evidence that one has turned to God. As Kidner notes, “This is not a denial of grace, but a characteristic demand for fruits that befit repentance.”
The second half of the verse states, “By the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.” The fear of the Lord—the reverential awe of His holiness and authority—is not only the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10), but also the power that drives a believer away from sin. When a man truly fears God, he cannot be comfortable in rebellion. This fear produces obedience, purity, and humility before God.
Proverbs 16:7
“When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
To live in a manner pleasing to the Lord is the goal of every righteous man or woman. Though we cannot attain perfection in this life, Scripture teaches that we can walk in obedience and faith such that our ways bring delight to God. This verse reveals one of the remarkable blessings of such a life: divine favor extends even to human relationships.
When a man’s ways please the Lord, God Himself intervenes in his social and spiritual circumstances. The Hebrew sense of “He makes” denotes an active divine work—God brings about peace. This peace is not always the absence of conflict, but rather the restraint of hostility. As Clarke wrote, “God is the guardian and defence of all that fear and love Him; and it is truly astonishing to see how wondrously God works in their behalf, raising them up friends, and turning their enemies into friends.” Ross summarizes it well: “A lifestyle pleasing to God disarms social hostility.”
The believer who walks uprightly does not need to manipulate outcomes or defend himself with worldly means. God’s providence often softens the hearts of adversaries, or else restrains them altogether. As Romans 8:31 declares, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Proverbs 16:8
“Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice.”
This proverb strikes at the heart of human ambition and the value system of the world. It contrasts the contentment of the righteous poor with the misery of the wealthy unjust. “Better is a little with righteousness,” because righteousness brings peace of conscience, fellowship with God, and eternal reward. The righteous may have few possessions, yet they possess something far greater—the favor and presence of the Lord.
On the other hand, “vast revenues without justice” represent ill-gotten gain, obtained through dishonesty or oppression. Such wealth can never satisfy the soul nor secure true peace. The wicked may prosper temporarily, but their riches are hollow and fleeting. Proverbs 10:22 affirms, “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” Without righteousness, wealth becomes a snare rather than a blessing.
This proverb does not claim that only two conditions exist—poverty with righteousness or wealth with injustice—but rather establishes the superiority of righteousness in every comparison. Bridges illustrated the truth beautifully: “Was not the widow of Zarephath richer with her scanty fare than Jezebel in her royal attire? If godliness is great riches in this life, what will it be in eternity?”
In God’s economy, integrity outweighs income, and purity surpasses prosperity. True wealth is measured not in possessions but in righteousness.
Proverbs 16:9–12
Proverbs 16:9
“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”
This verse reveals the delicate balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty. Man’s heart is capable of planning and reasoning because he is made in the image of God, who also designs and orders all things. Thus, planning is not condemned; it is a reflection of divine likeness when done in humility. However, the believer must recognize that God alone governs the ultimate outcome. Our plans are limited, but the Lord determines the path and the result.
Waltke explains, “A man may plan his road to the last detail, but he cannot implement his planning unless it coincides with Yahweh’s plan for him.” God’s will overrides all human strategy, and no plan of man can subvert divine intention. Morgan adds, “A man can and does devise his own way under the direction of his heart. If desire be evil, the way devised is evil. If desire be good, the way devised is good. But that is not all the truth about life. This is also true: Jehovah directeth his steps…. That is to say that no man can step outside the government of God.”
Even when man’s plans fail, they fail under the supervision of a sovereign God who accomplishes His purpose through both success and disappointment. As Ross observes, “The point is the contrast between what we actually plan and what actually happens—God determines that.” The Apostle Paul echoes this truth in Ephesians 3:20:
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
Bridges wisely concludes, “As rational agents we think, consult, act freely. We are dependent agents, and the Lord exercises His own power in permitting, overruling, or furthering our actions. Thus man proposes, and God disposes.”
Proverbs 16:10
“Divination is on the lips of the king; his mouth must not transgress in judgment.”
The term divination here does not refer to occult practices or forbidden supernatural insight, but rather to the king’s ability to exercise discernment and judgment as God’s representative in matters of governance. The proverb means that a righteous ruler’s words carry divine weight because he must rule with wisdom and justice.
Poole explains, “The word divination is sometimes taken in a good sense for prudence, as it is in Isaiah 3:2—a great sagacity and piercing judgment to discern dubious and difficult cases.” The king’s words should therefore be guided by divine wisdom, not by arbitrary passion or personal preference.
Ross notes that the Hebrew word qesem usually refers to pagan divination but here signifies the sense of authoritative discernment: “The word qesem is used throughout the Bible in the negative sense of ‘divination’; here it seems merely to mean his words from an oracular sentence, as if he speaks for God.”
Therefore, the second line—“His mouth must not transgress in judgment”—warns rulers that their authority is limited by God’s law. The king’s decisions must reflect divine justice, not human will. Kidner aptly states, “The Old Testament lends no support to the idea that the king can do no wrong; rather, he is a man under authority: Deuteronomy 17:18–20.” That passage commands every king of Israel to write and read the Law of God continually so that he may learn to fear the Lord and govern righteously.
Proverbs 16:11
“Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are His work.”
This verse highlights God’s concern for integrity in all human dealings. Honest business practices are not merely moral preferences—they are divine requirements. Since the Lord is just and righteous, He demands that His people reflect His nature in their conduct toward others.
The proverb’s imagery refers to the balances used in trade, where merchants would weigh goods and money. Waltke explains, “Balance refers to a stationary balance with beams and bolts, and scale possibly refers to the hand-held balance.” Dishonest weights were a common form of deceit, condemned repeatedly in Scripture. Proverbs 11:1 declares, “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.”
The statement “all the weights in the bag are His work” affirms that true justice and equity originate from God, not human invention. Garrett observes, “Verse 11 is theologically important in that, using the concrete image of scales and measures, it teaches that the principle of justice is derived from God. Equity is not a human invention, and thus kings do not have the authority to suspend or violate the laws of fairness.” Fair dealing, therefore, is an act of worship, reflecting the righteous character of God in every transaction.
Proverbs 16:12
“It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established by righteousness.”
The proverb recognizes both the temptation and the responsibility of those in power. It is possible for kings to commit wickedness, and when they do, it is especially abhorrent to God. Because leaders carry great influence, their sins carry proportionately greater consequences. Righteousness, not tyranny or corruption, is the foundation that secures a throne.
Solomon, who penned these words, tragically failed to uphold them later in life. 1 Kings 11:1–10 records that he turned to foreign wives and idols, committing the very wickedness he once denounced. His downfall serves as a warning that no position exempts one from the moral demands of God’s law.
The principle remains timeless: leadership and righteousness are inseparable in God’s design. A government, business, or household stands or falls based on its adherence to righteousness. As Ross notes, “If this proverb had been written later, after the monarchy had disintegrated, there would have been a greater variance between the ideal and the real. But coming from the golden age of Solomon, the ideal was still credible.”
A throne, whether literal or symbolic, cannot endure without righteousness, for justice is the very foundation of stability and blessing. Psalm 89:14 declares:
“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Mercy and truth go before Your face.”
Proverbs 16:13–16
Proverbs 16:13
“Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him who speaks what is right.”
Righteous speech—words that are true, just, and wise—are a delight to godly rulers because they strengthen justice and order. Leaders depend upon truthful counsel, and wise kings value integrity in their advisers and subjects. When those around them speak righteously, they promote stability and honor in the kingdom. Solomon, a king himself, understood the value of truth spoken in righteousness. A king surrounded by flattery is blinded; a king surrounded by truth is strengthened.
Trapp wisely notes, “Most princes are held by their parasites, who soothe them up in their sins, and smooth them up with fair words, which soak into them as oil doth into earthen vessels.” The danger of flattery is that it isolates a ruler from reality, while honest counsel guards him from folly. True leaders therefore delight in righteousness from others and love those who speak what is right—even if the truth is hard to hear. The proverb also foreshadows the character of the perfect King, Jesus Christ, who delights in truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6) and loves those who walk uprightly.
Proverbs 16:14
“As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, but a wise man will appease it.”
When a king’s wrath is kindled, his displeasure carries the weight of judgment and often brings death or severe consequence. In the ancient world, the king’s word was law, and his anger could mean execution. Therefore, his wrath is compared to “messengers of death.” This was true of earthly monarchs such as Solomon, whose reign was established only after he removed wrongdoers (1 Kings 2:22–46).
Trapp offers an example from history: “Queen Elizabeth was so reserved, that all about her stood in a reverent awe of her very presence and aspect, but much more of her least frown or check; wherewith some of them, who thought they might best presume of her favour, have been so suddenly daunted and planet-stricken that they could not lay down the grief thereof but in their grave.” Such reverence for earthly rulers gives perspective to the greater reality of the wrath of the King of Kings. His judgment is perfect and eternal.
Yet, “a wise man will appease it.” Wisdom teaches discretion, humility, and a timely word that can turn away wrath (Proverbs 15:1). More profoundly, the wise man knows how to appease the wrath of God—not through human merit, but by accepting the atonement made through Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:9, “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
Proverbs 16:15
“In the light of the king’s face is life, and his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.”
The shining face of the king represents his approval and favor. To be in the light of his countenance is to enjoy life, security, and blessing under his rule. Ross explains, “The saying describes the benefits of having a king who is pleased with his subjects. The king’s brightened face signifies his delight and thus means life for those around him.” When the ruler’s disposition is benevolent, his people flourish.
The comparison deepens in the second line: “His favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.” In Israel’s agricultural society, the latter rains came near harvest time and were vital to the maturing of crops. Poole explains, “As acceptable as those clouds which bring the latter rain, whereby the fruits are filled and ripened a little before the harvest.” Waltke adds, “The early rains prepare the ground for plowing and sowing, and the latter rains provide the last bit of moisture on which the cereal harvest depends.”
Spiritually, this imagery points beyond earthly kings to the King of Kings. His favor brings true life, refreshment, and fruitfulness. Numbers 6:25 captures this beautifully: “The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.” The favor of God is the believer’s source of life and blessing, just as rain revives a dry land.
Proverbs 16:16
“How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”
This proverb emphasizes the surpassing value of wisdom over material wealth. Gold and silver have their temporary benefits, but wisdom yields eternal gain. Wisdom guides conduct, preserves the soul, and brings peace—blessings that riches can never buy. Clarke comments, “Who believes this, though spoken by the wisest of men, under Divine inspiration?” Indeed, human nature often prizes riches above wisdom, but Scripture repeatedly inverts this worldly measure.
The pursuit of wisdom should be the believer’s highest aim. “To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver,” meaning that one should prefer wisdom to all material pursuits. Solomon himself was rewarded with both wisdom and wealth because he sought understanding above riches (1 Kings 3:5–15). Ross observes, “Wisdom and wealth are not incompatible; but this comparison is between wealth without wisdom and wisdom without wealth.”
The value of wisdom is eternal, while wealth is transient. Gold can perish, silver can tarnish, but wisdom enriches both this life and the next. As Job 28:18 declares, “No mention shall be made of coral or of pearls, for the price of wisdom is above rubies.”
Proverbs 16:17–20
Proverbs 16:17
“The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; he who keeps his way preserves his soul.”
The path of the upright is marked by deliberate separation from evil. Solomon describes this life-path as a “highway,” a main road clearly set apart from the crooked byways of sin. The upright do not merely avoid evil by accident; they actively choose a direction that departs from it. The imagery of a highway suggests elevation, clarity, and purpose — a life aligned with righteousness and moving forward under the light of God’s truth.
The second clause adds, “He who keeps his way preserves his soul.” To walk faithfully on this road requires vigilance and self-discipline. The one who guards his conduct and refuses to deviate preserves his life from both moral ruin and divine judgment. The departure from evil is not a restriction but a protection, safeguarding the soul from destruction. As Psalm 1:6 declares, “For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
This verse is one of the most well-known maxims in all of Scripture because it captures a universal truth about the self-destructive nature of pride. Pride is the root sin from which many others grow, for it exalts self above God and refuses correction. Scripture repeatedly warns of God’s opposition to the proud: James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 both state, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Pride preceded Satan’s downfall (Isaiah 14:12–15), and it remains the hallmark of rebellion. Kidner notes, “The special evil of pride is that it opposes the first principle of wisdom (the fear of the Lord) and the two great commandments.” Trapp observes, “A bulging wall is near a downfall. Swelling is a dangerous symptom in the body; so is pride in the soul.” Baxter summarized it succinctly: “So far as any man is proud, he is kin to the devil, and a stranger to God and to himself.”
The proverb’s second half reinforces the first: “A haughty spirit before a fall.” Pride manifests not only in outward behavior but in the inward attitude of superiority. Waltke observes, “The proverb gives the strong impression of saying the same thing twice…. In this way its truth is underscored and clarified; the proud are defined more precisely as the haughty in spirit.” Those who exalt themselves inevitably invite God’s humbling hand, for “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11).
Proverbs 16:19
“Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
This verse continues the theme of humility by contrasting two groups: the humble among the lowly, and the proud who share the spoils of their conquests. Though the lowly may appear poor or insignificant in the world’s eyes, their humility places them within God’s favor and protection. Pride, however, makes a man an enemy of God, no matter how prosperous or powerful he may seem.
Solomon declares that it is “better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly.” The value of humility outweighs material reward, for humility aligns the heart with God’s grace. As Proverbs 15:33 teaches, “Before honor is humility.” Trapp comments, “A humble man is worth his weight in gold; he hath far more comfort in his losses than proud giants have in their rapines and robberies.”
To “divide the spoil with the proud” is to share in their sin and ultimately in their ruin. The proud may win riches by force or deceit, but their end is destruction (Proverbs 16:18). It is far better to walk humbly among the lowly and find fellowship with God than to gain worldly treasure in the company of those He resists.
Proverbs 16:20
“He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.”
Obedience and trust are the twin marks of a blessed life. The first line promises that “He who heeds the word wisely will find good.” To heed the Word is to listen attentively and obey diligently. Blessing and goodness naturally follow those who walk according to God’s instruction. However, it must be done “wisely,” implying that mere knowledge without discernment can lead to hypocrisy. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day, who “strained out a gnat and swallowed a camel” (Matthew 23:24), illustrate the danger of applying Scripture without wisdom or love.
The second clause completes the thought: “Whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.” Faith and obedience go hand in hand. Trust anchors the heart in the goodness of God, bringing peace and joy regardless of circumstance. The believer who entrusts his life to God’s will discovers a happiness the world cannot offer.
Spurgeon recounted an old story that captures this spirit of trust: “I have read a story of an old Doctor of the Church, who, going out one morning, met a beggar, and said to him, ‘I wish you a good day.’ ‘Sir,’ said he, ‘I never had an ill day in any life.’ ‘But,’ said the Doctor, ‘your clothes are torn to rags, and your wallet seems to be exceedingly empty.’ Said he, ‘My clothes are as good as God wills them to be, and my wallet is as full as the Lord has been pleased to make it, and what pleases Him pleases me.’ ‘But,’ said the Doctor, ‘suppose God should cast you into hell?’ ‘Indeed, sir,’ said he, ‘but that would never be; but if it were, I would be contented, for I have two long and strong arms — faith and love — and I would throw these about the neck of my Savior, and I would never let Him go, so that if I went there, He would be with me, and it would be a heaven to me.’ Oh, those two strong arms of faith and love! if you can but hang about the Savior’s neck, indeed, you may fear no ill weather.”
True happiness, then, is not found in possessions or circumstances, but in the heart that trusts the Lord and clings to Him in faith and love.
Proverbs 16:21–24
Proverbs 16:21
“The wise in heart will be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increases learning.”
Those who are truly wise inwardly, “wise in heart,” will inevitably reveal it outwardly through conduct and speech. Wisdom that resides deep within will manifest in discernment, patience, and understanding, earning one a reputation for prudence. This verse reminds us that wisdom is not merely intellectual but practical—it must be demonstrated in life and recognized by others as fruitful and sound.
The phrase “sweetness of the lips” refers not to charm or flattery, but to gracious, thoughtful, and edifying speech. Poole explains this as “eloquence added to wisdom; the faculty of expressing a man’s mind fitly, freely, and acceptably.” True wisdom knows how to speak truth in a way that draws others toward understanding rather than pushing them away. Garrett writes, “Wise teachers choose their words carefully and in so doing enhance the learning experience for their students. The wisdom of the true sage not only benefits the disciples morally but is a joy to receive as well.”
Speech seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6) carries power to persuade, instruct, and heal. Therefore, “sweetness of the lips” increases learning both for the one who speaks and those who listen.
Proverbs 16:22
“Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it, but the correction of fools is folly.”
Wisdom brings continual renewal and refreshment to the one who possesses it. It is a “wellspring of life,” ever-flowing, nourishing the soul, and producing spiritual vitality. Understanding transforms not only the mind but also the character, producing discernment, peace, and moral strength. As Proverbs 13:14 states, “The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death.”
The second line contrasts this blessing with the futility of trying to correct a fool. “The correction of fools is folly” because a fool rejects instruction and despises reproof. Wisdom cannot benefit one who refuses to receive it. Yet, the moment a fool humbles himself and accepts correction, he ceases to be a fool. The verse therefore serves both as a warning to the stubborn and a call to humility—true understanding begins when one is teachable.
Proverbs 16:23
“The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.”
This proverb emphasizes self-governance and discernment in speech. The wise heart—trained by godly understanding—guides the mouth, ensuring that words are measured, thoughtful, and beneficial. Wisdom first rules within before it speaks without. Godliness is demonstrated when a man’s heart instructs his tongue and not the other way around.
The second line, “and adds learning to his lips,” highlights that wisdom is not static; it grows continually. As understanding deepens, so does the quality of one’s words. The wise continually refine how they speak, knowing that careless or hasty words can cause destruction (Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”). True wisdom produces speech that teaches, comforts, and edifies.
Proverbs 16:24
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”
Here Solomon paints a vivid picture of the power of wholesome, gracious words. Just as honey from the comb was the sweetest and most nourishing food known in ancient Israel, so kind and encouraging speech brings refreshment and healing to the soul. Pleasant words—those that are truthful, gentle, and seasoned with grace—can lift the heart of the weary and bring peace to the troubled.
Ross notes, “One might recall, in line with the use of this imagery, how Jonathan’s eyes brightened when he ate the honeycomb (1 Samuel 14:27); such is the uplifting effect of pleasant words.” When spoken in love, truth becomes sweet and life-giving rather than harsh and destructive. Such words not only bless the hearer but also reflect the character of God, whose Word itself is described as “sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10).
“Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” speaks to the holistic effect of godly speech—it strengthens inwardly and heals outwardly. A gentle word can restore relationships, calm anger, and encourage faith. The believer who speaks with grace and wisdom thus becomes a conduit of God’s healing presence in a broken world.
Proverbs 16:25–28
Proverbs 16:25
“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
This verse, repeated from Proverbs 14:12, underscores one of the most sobering truths in all of Scripture: human judgment, apart from divine revelation, is dangerously unreliable. Many people choose paths that seem right—that appear logical, moral, or even spiritual—but are actually leading to destruction. Feelings, intuition, or cultural norms are not sufficient guides for determining truth or righteousness. Only the Word of God can light the path of life. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
The verse warns that sincerity does not equal truth. A person may be absolutely convinced of his course and yet be utterly wrong. As Jeremiah proclaimed, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
The phrase “but the end thereof are the ways of death” makes clear that self-deception in moral or spiritual matters is not a harmless error but a fatal one. A false way leads not to inconvenience or temporary loss but to death—both temporal and eternal. Trapp reminds us, “And think not this a vain repetition; but know that it is thus redoubled, that it may be the better remarked and remembered. Nothing is more ordinary or more dangerous than self-delusion…. To warn us therefore of this greatest wickedness, it is that this sentence is reiterated.”
Therefore, the believer must constantly test his way against the revealed Word of God rather than the shifting counsel of his own heart or the world around him.
Proverbs 16:26
“He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.”
This proverb recognizes the divinely ordained principle that labor is both necessary and beneficial. The man who works does so for his own sustenance and reward. God established from the beginning that man should eat by the sweat of his brow (Genesis 3:19), and Scripture affirms the dignity of labor and the right of the worker to enjoy its fruit.
The statement “he laboureth for himself” upholds the biblical principle of personal property and reward, standing against systems that confiscate the fruits of labor for others or for the state. As Paul affirmed, “The labourer is worthy of his reward” (1 Timothy 5:18). This proverb also exposes the folly of forced collectivism or excessive taxation, for Scripture places responsibility and benefit squarely upon the individual worker.
The latter phrase, “for his mouth craveth it of him,” emphasizes hunger as a God-given motivator. Necessity drives diligence. As Morgan observed, “Hunger will make a man work when nothing else will. This is in harmony with the apostolic principle, ‘If a man will not work, neither let him eat’” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
Kidner notes, “A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on…this is welcome realism, though it is not the last word on incentives.” Waltke adds that such motivation reflects God’s wisdom: “Though work is tiring and frustrating in this fallen world, nevertheless the drive to gratify his appetites prods the diligent person to productive efforts…. God and the wise do not frustrate these primal, productive drives by denying them gratification or by gratifying them apart from work.”
Thus, the proverb commends industriousness and condemns laziness, teaching that work and reward are divinely linked.
Proverbs 16:27
“An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.”
The ungodly man is not content with the evil he stumbles upon; he digs up evil—he searches it out deliberately. This depicts both malice and persistence in wrongdoing. Clarke comments, “A wicked man labours as much to bring about an evil purpose, as the quarryman does to dig up stones.” The wicked exert as much effort in sin as the righteous do in obedience, proving that evil is not born merely of opportunity but of intent.
Trapp notes that the enemies of Augustine and Beza “dug up their old sins” to discredit them, demonstrating how the ungodly are eager to exhume and weaponize the past failings of others. The image of digging implies laborious effort and deliberate intention to uncover dirt that might otherwise remain buried.
The second line—“and in his lips there is as a burning fire”—shows that what the wicked man uncovers, he spreads. His words are destructive and consuming, igniting conflict and destroying reputations. Ross explains, “What he finds he spreads; his speech is like scorching fire—the simile speaks of the devastating effect of his words.” This echoes James 3:6: “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity… and it is set on fire of hell.”
The ungodly man’s words burn relationships, peace, and righteousness alike. He is both the arsonist and the fuel of social destruction.
Proverbs 16:28
“A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”
This verse continues the theme of destructive speech. The “froward” or perverse man—one whose heart is twisted—deliberately spreads contention. He sows strife as a farmer sows seed, scattering discord wherever he goes. The imagery suggests premeditation and productivity in evil; strife does not occur by accident but by design. Kidner points out that the Hebrew term for “soweth” recalls the scene in Judges 15:5, when Samson released flaming foxes among the Philistines’ crops—such is the havoc caused by malicious speech.
The second half warns, “a whisperer separateth chief friends.” The whisperer (or gossip) secretly spreads slander, misrepresentation, and suspicion, often under the guise of concern. Waltke describes such a person as “a malicious gossip who misrepresents a situation and by his calumny aims to besmirch and to defame others behind their backs.”
Even the closest of friends can be torn apart by such whispers, for once trust is broken, it is difficult to restore. The whisperer’s sin is grievous because it masquerades as subtle and harmless, yet its effects are ruinous. Proverbs 6:19 lists among the abominations that God hates “he that soweth discord among brethren.”
The believer must therefore guard both the tongue and the ear—refusing to speak gossip and refusing to listen to it. A single whisper can destroy what years of loyalty built.
Proverbs 16:29–33
Proverbs 16:29
“A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.”
The violent man draws others into his wickedness, tempting them either to join in his violent deeds or to respond with violence themselves. Violence, by nature, is corrupting and contagious—it pulls others into its destructive orbit. Such a man is both a corrupter and a deceiver, luring his neighbor into sin under the guise of strength, vengeance, or self-defense.
The phrase “leadeth him into the way that is not good” shows the moral direction of violence. While the restraint of force may sometimes be necessary to prevent greater evil, violence itself is never constructive; it ultimately leads to ruin. The “way that is not good” stands in direct contrast to the “highway of the upright” mentioned earlier in Proverbs 16:17. Violence may seem powerful in the moment, but its end is destruction. The violent man may lead others astray for a time, but both he and his followers will face divine judgment.
Proverbs 16:30
“He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.”
This proverb likely continues the image of the violent or scheming man. His gestures—winking his eye and pursing his lips—reveal his deceitful plotting. Garrett notes, “The winking eye and pursed lips may be taken either as signals among conspirators or as a general statement of shiftiness in the facial mannerisms of scheming people.” The wicked communicate subtly, concealing malice under expressions of calm or cleverness.
Trapp insightfully comments, “Wicked men are great students; they beat their brains and close their eyes that they may revolve and excogitate mischief with more freedom of mind. They search the devil’s skull for new devices, and are very inventive to invent that which may do harm.” Their scheming is not idle but deliberate. As Psalm 36:4 says, “He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.”
Ross observes, “Often people who are planning wicked things betray themselves with malicious expressions. Two expressions are depicted here: winking the eye and pursing the lips. Facial expressions often reveal whether someone is plotting something evil.” Evil begins in the heart and mind, but it soon manifests outwardly, revealing the corruption within.
Proverbs 16:31
“The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.”
Gray hair, representing age and experience, is described as a “crown of glory.” In the culture of Solomon’s time, the elderly were honored for their wisdom and life experience. Leviticus 19:32 commanded, “Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.” The aged were to be treated with reverence because their years testified to God’s sustaining grace.
However, Solomon adds an important qualification—“if it be found in the way of righteousness.” Age alone does not confer wisdom or honor. Many grow old in sin, and their years only multiply folly and hardness of heart. Waltke notes, “It is often considered a blessing (Genesis 15:15; 25:8), but not always (Hosea 7:9).” Ross explains, “There is something commendable about old age that can remember a long walk with God through life and can anticipate unbroken fellowship with Him in glory.”
Therefore, old age becomes a true crown of glory only when accompanied by a lifetime of righteousness. A righteous elder testifies to God’s faithfulness and stands as a living monument to the grace that has sustained him through the years.
Proverbs 16:32
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”
This proverb exalts self-control as the highest form of strength. It declares that mastery over one’s temper is a greater victory than military conquest. A man who conquers himself demonstrates a discipline that no external achievement can rival.
Clarke illustrates this vividly: “There have been many kings who had conquered nations, and yet were slaves to their own passions. Alexander, who conquered the world, was a slave to intemperate anger, and in a fit of it slew Clytus, the best and most intimate of all his friends.”
Bridges adds, “A great conflict and a glorious victory are set out here. The heart is the field of battle. All its evil and powerful passions are deadly foes. They must be met and triumphed over in God’s strength.” True spiritual warfare begins in the soul, not on the battlefield.
Matthew Poole identified three reasons why ruling one’s spirit is superior to conquering a city:
He conquers though he fights a stronger enemy—his own sinful nature.
He conquers by his own hands, not through others.
He conquers without injuring or destroying others.
Trapp tells of Emperor Valentinian, who said on his deathbed that of all his victories, one only comforted him: “I have overcome my worst enemy, mine own naughty heart.”
Morgan concludes, “This is a proverb that is constantly quoted, and very little believed. If men only recognized that there is more valor and heroism in self-control than in doughty deeds which others acclaim in song and story, how different our world would be.”
The New Testament affirms this principle. Galatians 5:22–23 lists self-control as a fruit of the Spirit, proving that spiritual strength is not measured by dominance over others, but by submission to God.
Proverbs 16:33
“The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.”
This verse declares the sovereignty of God over all things, even those that seem random or left to chance. Casting lots was a common practice in the Old Testament, similar to drawing straws or rolling dice, used to make decisions that men could not resolve. Yet Scripture consistently affirms that when the lot was cast, the outcome rested in the hands of the Lord.
Examples include the division of the land of Canaan (Numbers 26:55; Joshua 14:2), the assignment of priestly duties (1 Chronicles 24:5), and the selection of Matthias to replace Judas (Acts 1:26). Each instance shows that while the human act appeared random, God directed the result according to His will.
Kidner clarifies, “The Old Testament use of the word lot shows that this proverb is not about God’s control of all random occurrences, but about His settling of matters properly referred to Him.” The principle is not that we should determine God’s will by chance, but that when we commit our decisions to Him, the outcome rests securely in His providence.
Waltke connects this verse to the previous one: “Ultimately, the Lord, not the disciple’s self-possession alone, rules his destiny, as illustrated by ‘the lot.’” Even the man who rules his spirit and walks righteously must remember that his fate lies not in his own mastery, but in the sovereign governance of God.
