Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 15

Introduction

CHAPTER 15

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Verse 1

1. soft—tender or gentle.

turneth . . . wrath—from any one.

stir up—as a smouldering fire is excited.

Verse 2

2. useth . . . aright—commends knowledge by its proper use.

poureth out—utters abundantly (Proverbs 12:23), and so disgusts others.

Verse 3

3. beholding—watching (compare Proverbs 5:21; Psalms 66:7).

Verse 4

4. A wholesome tongue—(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language.

tree of life— (Proverbs 3:18; Proverbs 11:30).

perverseness therein—cross, ill-natured language.

breach . . . spirit—(compare Isaiah 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.

Verse 5

5. (Compare Proverbs 4:1; Proverbs 10:17; Proverbs 13:1-18).

is prudent—acts discreetly.

Verse 6

6. treasure—implying utility.

trouble—vexation and affliction.

Verse 7

7. (Compare Proverbs 10:20; Proverbs 10:21).

heart . . . not so—not right, or vain.

Verse 8

8, 9. The sacrifice [and] prayer—are acts of worship.

way . . . followeth . . . righteousness—denote conduct. God's regard for the worship and deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Psalms 50:17; Isaiah 1:11.

Verse 10

10. (Compare :-).

the way—that in which God would have him to go (Proverbs 2:13; Psalms 119:1).

Verse 11

11. Hell— ( :-).

destruction—or, "Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts.

Verse 12

12. (Compare :-).

go unto the wise—to be instructed.

Verse 13

13. maketh . . . countenance—or, "benefits the countenance."

spirit is broken—and so the countenance is sad.

Verse 14

14. (Compare Proverbs 10:21; Proverbs 10:22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Proverbs 9:9).

Verse 15

15. The state of the heart governs the outward condition.

evil—sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.

Verse 16

16. trouble—agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Proverbs 16:18; 1 Timothy 6:6).

Verse 17

17. dinner—or, "allowance" (2 Kings 25:30) —

of herbs—and that the plainest.

and hatred—(compare Proverbs 10:12; Proverbs 10:18).

Verse 18

18. (Compare Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 16:32).

Verse 19

19. The difficulties of the slothful result from want of energy; the righteous find a

plain [and open] way—literally, "a highway," by diligence (1 Samuel 10:7; Psalms 1:3).

Verse 20

20. (Compare :-).

Verse 21

21. walketh uprightly—and so finds his joy (Proverbs 3:6; Proverbs 10:23).

Verse 22

22. Without counsel—or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.

Verse 23

23. Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.

Verse 24

24. (Compare :-). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.

Verse 25

25. The most desolate who have God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner (Proverbs 2:22; Proverbs 12:7).

border—or, "boundary for possessions" (Psalms 78:54).

Verse 26

26. are pleasant words—that is, pleasing to God (Proverbs 8:8; Proverbs 8:9).

Verse 27

27. (Compare :-). Avarice brings trouble to him and his.

hateth gifts—or, "bribes" (Exodus 23:8; Psalms 15:5), and is not avaricious.

Verse 28

28. (Compare Proverbs 15:14; Proverbs 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.

Verse 29

29. far . . . wicked—in His love and favor (Psalms 22:11; Psalms 119:155).

Verse 30

30. light of the eyes— ( :-). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so

good report—or, "doctrine" (Isaiah 28:9; Isaiah 53:1),

maketh . . . fat—or, "gives prosperity" (Proverbs 3:13-17; Proverbs 9:11). The last clause is illustrated by the first.

Verse 31

31, 32. (Compare :-).

reproof of life—which leads to life.

abideth . . . wise—is numbered among them.

Verse 32

32. refuseth—or, "neglects," "passes by" (Proverbs 1:25; Proverbs 4:15).

despiseth . . . soul—so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.

Verse 33

33. The fear . . . wisdom—Wisdom instructs in true piety.

before . . . humility—(compare Luke 24:26; 1 Peter 1:11); opposite (compare 1 Peter 1:11- :).