Proverbs 15 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

15:1

soft — tender or gentle.

turneth wrath — from any one.

stir up — as a smoldering fire is excited.

15:2 aright — commends knowledge by its proper use.

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

15:3

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

15:4

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.

15:5

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

is prudent — acts discreetly.

15:6

treasure — implying utility.

trouble — vexation and affliction.

15:7

(Compare Proverbs 10:20, Proverbs 10:21).

heart not so — not right, or vain.

15:8-9

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 Psalm 50:17; Isaiah 1:11.

15:10

(Compare Proverbs 10:17).

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

15:11

Hell — (Psalm 16:10).

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

15:12

(Compare Proverbs 9:8).

go unto the wise — to be instructed.

15:13

maketh countenance — or, “benefits the countenance.”

spirit is broken — and so the countenance is sad.

15:14

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

15:15

The state of the heart governs the outward condition.

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

15:16

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

15:17

dinner — or, “allowance” (2 Kings 25:30).

of herbs — and that the plainest.

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

15:18

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

15:19

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; Psalm 1:3).

15:20

(Compare Proverbs 10:1).

15:21

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

15:22

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

15:23

Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.

15:24

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

15:25

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” (Psalm 78:54).

15:26

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

15:27

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

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

15:28

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

15:29 wicked — in His love and favor (Psalm 22:11; Psalm 119:155).15:30

light of the eyes — (Proverbs 13:9). 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.

15:31-32

(Compare Proverbs 10:17).

reproof of life — which leads to life.

abideth wise — is numbered among them.

15:32

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

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

15:33 wisdom — Wisdom instructs in true piety.

before humility — (compare Luke 24:26; 1 Peter 1:11); opposite (compare Proverbs 16:18).