Proverbs 16:25 - Printer Friendly

ESV: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

NIV: There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

NASB: There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death.

CSB: There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.

NLT: There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

KJV: There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

NKJV: There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

This verse repeats, exactly, the statement contained in Proverbs 14:12. Repetition is a common technique used to emphasize a statement's importance. In this context, Solomon speaks about the benefits of timely, loving wisdom (Proverbs 16:21–24). This also harmonizes with the following proverb, which notes how feelings and desires are a form of motivation (Proverbs 16:26).

The consequences of following the wrong path are one reason it's important to seek wisdom and offer it to others. Arrogance (Proverbs 16:5; 1 Corinthians 10:12) prevents a person from examining their thoughts and sets them up for terrible consequences.

Many people falsely assume they are following the right path through life. That error usually comes when we confuse preferences with truth. Human reasoning, left to itself, can accomplish some good things. But it ultimately leads to disaster (Jeremiah 17:9). Desires not aligned with God's will are doomed to eventual failure (Proverbs 1:7; 3:5). This is the reason Scripture so emphasizes self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5) and seeking advice from godly people (Proverbs 11:14; 15:5).

An especially dangerous form of this overconfidence is when someone believes their way is morally "good enough" to earn salvation. Such persons expect what they are doing will earn them a place in heaven. But they are mistaken. Entrance into heaven is gained not by what a person does but by what Jesus has done (Titus 3:5). By shedding His blood on the cross Jesus paid the full penalty for our sins. Nothing needs to be added to what He did on the cross, and nothing can be added to what He accomplished there. When He cried out from the cross, "It is finished" (John 19:30), He was declaring that the work of redemption stood complete for all time. The Greek word translated, "It is finished," appeared in bills when the final payment was made. It served notice that another payment was unnecessary. It is human nature, however, to think one's honorable deeds must accompany Jesus' redemptive work. Therefore, many self-righteous people follow the wide path leading to destruction (Matthew 7:13).

This part of Solomon's proverbs emphasizes human motives, self-control, and common sense. Many of these proverbs are arranged in a two-part style. The first and second half of these statements make the same basic point, but from opposite perspectives. Notable verses are verses 9 and 33, speaking of God's sovereignty, and verse 18, a famous warning about arrogance. Also often cited is verse 25, which repeats Proverbs 14:12 and encourages self-reflection.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.