Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?… I. A PREVALENT VICE. "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness." Self-conceit — men parading their imaginary merits. It is seen in the religious world, in the way in which certain men get their subscriptions trumpeted in reports, and their charitable doings emblazoned in journals. It is seen in the political world. 1. This vice is an obstruction to self-improvement. The man who prides himself on his own cleverness will never get knowledge; who exults in his own virtue will never advance in genuine goodness. Vanity is in one sense the fruit of ignorance. 2. This vice is socially offensive. Nothing is more offensive in society than vanity. 3. This vice is essentially opposed to Christianity. What says Paul? "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." What says Christ? "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth." II. A RARE VIRTUE. "But a faithful man, who can find?" What is faithfulness? The man who in this verse is called faithful is in the next represented as just, "walking in his integrity." Each of the three terms represents the same thing. 1. Practically true to our own convictions. Never acting without or against them. 2. Practically true to our own professions. Never breaking promises, swerving from engagements. Now this is a rare virtue. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?WEB: Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man? |
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