Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · Proverbs Chapter 15

Pr 15:1-33.

1. soft--tender or gentle.

turneth . . . wrath--from any one.

stir up--as a smouldering fire is excited.

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

poureth out--utters abundantly

(Pr 12:23),

and so disgusts others.

3. beholding--watching (compare

Pr 5:21; Ps 66:7).

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

tree of life--

(Pr 3:18; 11:30).

perverseness therein--cross, ill-natured language.

breach . . . spirit--(compare

Isa 65:14,

Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.

5. (Compare

Pr 4:1; 10:17; 13:1-18).

is prudent--acts discreetly.

6. treasure--implying utility.

trouble--vexation and affliction.

7. (Compare

Pr 10:20, 21).

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

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

Ps 50:17; Isa 1:11.

10. (Compare

Pr 10:17).

the way--that in which God would have him to go

(Pr 2:13; Ps 119:1).

11. Hell--

(Ps 16:10).

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

12. (Compare

Pr 9:8).

go unto the wise--to be instructed.

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

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

14. (Compare

Pr 10:21, 22).

The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish

(Pr 9:9).

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

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

16. trouble--agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings

(Pr 16:18; 1Ti 6:6).

17. dinner--or, "allowance"

(2Ki 25:30)

--

of herbs--and that the plainest.

and hatred--(compare

Pr 10:12, 18).

18. (Compare

Pr 14:29; 16:32).

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

plain [and open] way--literally, "a highway," by diligence

(1Sa 10:7; Ps 1:3).

20. (Compare

Pr 10:1).

21. walketh uprightly--and so finds his joy

(Pr 3:6; 10:23).

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

23. Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.

24. (Compare

Col 3:2).

Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.

25. The most desolate who have God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner

(Pr 2:22; 12:7).

border--or, "boundary for possessions"

(Ps 78:54).

26. are pleasant words--that is, pleasing to God

(Pr 8:8, 9).

27. (Compare

Pr 11:17).

Avarice brings trouble to him and his.

hateth gifts--or, "bribes"

(Ex 23:8; Ps 15:5),

and is not avaricious.

28. (Compare

Pr 15:14; 10:11).

Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.

29. far . . . wicked--in His love and favor

(Ps 22:11; 119:155).

30. light of the eyes--

(Pr 13:9).

What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so

good report--or, "doctrine"

(Isa 28:9; 53:1),

maketh . . . fat--or, "gives prosperity"

(Pr 3:13-17; 9:11).

The last clause is illustrated by the first.

31, 32. (Compare

Pr 10:17).

reproof of life--which leads to life.

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

32. refuseth--or, "neglects," "passes by"

(Pr 1:25; 4:15).

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

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

before . . . humility--(compare

Lu 24:26; 1Pe 1:11);

opposite (compare

Pr 16:18).