John Gill Commentary Proverbs 20:6

"Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?" — Proverbs 20:6 (ASV)

Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness As the Pharisee did, in (Luke 18:11Luke 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 23:5Matthew 23:25Matthew 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" ^F2, 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F2: (wdox) "misericordiam suam", Pagninus, so some in Vatablus; "unius cujusque misericordiam", Mercerus, Gejerus.