Proverbs 16:8

8 Better is a little with rightfulness, than many fruits with wickedness.

Proverbs 16:8 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:8

Better [is] a little with righteousness
Gotten in a righteous way, held by a righteous claim, used in a righteous manner, attended with a life of righteousness and holiness; and also along with an interest in the righteousness of Christ, which renders acceptable unto God, yields peace and comfort, and entitles to eternal glory and happiness. A truly righteous man may have but little of this world's goods; but his small pittance is better than great revenues without right;
obtained in an unjust way; detained from the right owner of them, and used in an unrighteous manner, in a course of sin and wickedness: or, "without judgment" ^F5; how to make use of them aright, and without a righteousness that will justify them at the day of judgment; (See Gill on Proverbs 15:16). A little the true church of Christ enjoys in the wilderness; having Christ and his grace, Christ and his righteousness, is better than all the revenues of the church of Rome gotten by the unlawful methods they are; and which, in one hour will come to nought, ( Revelation 18:17 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 (jpvm alb) "absque judicio", Pagninus, Montanus.

Proverbs 16:8 In-Context

6 Wickedness is again-bought by mercy and truth; and men boweth away from evil by the dread of the Lord. (Wickedness is redeemed by love and faithfulness; and people can turn away from evil by the fear of the Lord/through reverence for the Lord.)

7 When the ways of (a) man please the Lord, he shall convert, yea, his enemies to peace.

8 Better is a little with rightfulness, than many fruits with wickedness.

9 The heart of a man shall dispose his way; but it pertaineth to the Lord to (ad)dress his steps. (A person's heart shall ordain his way; but it pertaineth to the Lord to direct his steps.)

10 Divining is in the lips of a king; his mouth shall not err in doom. (The king speaketh with divine authority; his mouth shall not err in any judgement.)