Commentary on Proverbs 15

(Pro. 15:1-33)

soft--tender or gentle.

turneth . . . wrath--from any one.

stir up--as a smouldering fire is excited.

useth . . . aright--commends knowledge by its proper use.

poureth out--utters abundantly (Pro 12:23), and so disgusts others.

beholding--watching (compare Pro 5:21; Psa 66:7).

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

tree of life-- (Pro 3:18; Pro 11:30).

perverseness therein--cross, ill-natured language.

breach . . . spirit--(compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.

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

is prudent--acts discreetly.

treasure--implying utility.

trouble--vexation and affliction.

(Compare Pro 10:20-21).

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

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 Psa 50:17; Isa 1:11.

(Compare Pro 10:17).

the way--that in which God would have him to go (Pro 2:13; Psa 119:1).

Hell-- (Psa 16:10).

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

(Compare Pro 9:8).

go unto the wise--to be instructed.

maketh . . . countenance--or, "benefits the countenance."

spirit is broken--and so the countenance is sad.

(Compare Pro 10:21-22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pro 9:9).

The state of the heart governs the outward condition.

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

trouble--agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Pro 16:18; Ti1 6:6).

dinner--or, "allowance" (Kg2 25:30) --

of herbs--and that the plainest.

and hatred--(compare Pro 10:12, Pro 10:18).

(Compare Pro 14:29; Pro 16:32).

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

plain [and open] way--literally, "a highway," by diligence (Sa1 10:7; Psa 1:3).

(Compare Pro 10:1).

walketh uprightly--and so finds his joy (Pro 3:6; Pro 10:23).

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

Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.

(Compare Col 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.

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

border--or, "boundary for possessions" (Psa 78:54).

are pleasant words--that is, pleasing to God (Pro 8:8-9).

(Compare Pro 11:17). Avarice brings trouble to him and his.

hateth gifts--or, "bribes" (Exo 23:8; Psa 15:5), and is not avaricious.

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

far . . . wicked--in His love and favor (Psa 22:11; Psa 119:155).

light of the eyes-- (Pro 13:9). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so

good report--or, "doctrine" (Isa 28:9; Isa 53:1),

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

(Compare Pro 10:17).

reproof of life--which leads to life.

abideth . . . wise--is numbered among them.

refuseth--or, "neglects," "passes by" (Pro 1:25; Pro 4:15).

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

The fear . . . wisdom--Wisdom instructs in true piety.

before . . . humility--(compare Luk 24:26; Pe1 1:11); opposite (compare Pro 16:18).

Next: Proverbs Chapter 16