Proverbs 20:6
Read Proverbs 20:6 Using Other Translations
What does Proverbs 20:6 mean?
Most men will proclaim everyone his own
goodness
As the Pharisee did, in ( Luke 18:11 Luke 18:12 ) ; and as
the Pharisees in common did; who did all their works to be seen
of men, and made clean the outside of the cup and platter; and
were very careful to appear outwardly righteous to men, (
Matthew
23:5 Matthew
23:25 Matthew
23:28 ) . And indeed this is the general cast of men;
everyone is proclaiming his goodness to others, and would be
thought to be good men; and cannot be easy with doing a good
action, unless it is known, and particularly acts of beneficence
and alms deeds; and are like the Pharisees, who, on such
occasions, sounded a trumpet before them, ( Matthew 6:2 ) . And the
word may be rendered, "his mercy" {b}, or his kindness to the
poor: the Targum renders it,
``many of the children of men are called merciful men;''and so the Vulgate Latin version; and they like to be so called and accounted, whether they are so or not; but a faithful man who can find?
who answers to the character he gives of himself, or others upon his own representation give him; who is as good as his word, and, having promised assistance and relief, gives it; and who, having boasted that he has done a kindness to such an one and such an one, does the same likewise to another when applied to; or who sticks to his friend, and does not forsake him in his adversity, but supports and supplies him whom he knew in prosperity; it is hard and rare to find such a man; see ( Psalms 12:1 ) . Or, though every man is talking of his good works, and boasting of his goodness, it is difficult to find an Israelite indeed, in whom the true grace of God is.
F2 (wdox) "misericordiam suam", Pagninus, so some in Vatablus; "unius cujusque misericordiam", Mercerus, Gejerus.
