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Proverbs 15:28
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Summary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
Two proverbs regarding the righteous and the wicked: 28 The heart of the righteous considereth how to answer right, And the mouth of the godless poureth forth evil. Instead of לענות, the lxx (Syr. and Targ.) imagines אמוּנות πίστεις; Jerome translates, but falsely, obedientiam (from ענה, to bend oneself); Meri thinks on לענה, wormwood, for the heart of the righteous revolves in itself the misery and the vanity of this present life; Hitzig corrects this verse as he does the three preceding: the heart of the righteous thinks on ענוות, a plur. of verb ענוה, which, except in this correction, does not exist. The proverb, as it stands, is, in fineness of expression and sharpness of the contrast, raised above such manglings. Instead of the righteous, the wise might be named, and instead of the godless, fools (cf. 2b); but the poet places the proverb here under the point of view of duty to neighbours. It is the characteristic of the righteous that he does not give the reins to his tongue; but as Luther has translated: the heart of the righteous considers [tichtet from dictare, frequently to speak, here carefully to think over] what is to be answered, or rather, since מה־לּענות is not used, he thinks thereupon to answer rightly, for that the word ענות is used in this pregnant sense is seen from 23a. The godless, on the contrary, are just as rash with their mouth as the righteous are of a thoughtful heart: their mouth sputters forth (effutit) evil, for they do not first lay to heart the question what may be right and just in the case that has arisen.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Compare Pro 15:14; Pro 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer,.... He thinks before he speaks, meditates what he shall say, what answer to give to men; whether in things civil, natural, or religious; and what to return to the Lord when he is reproved by him; or what to say in prayer to him, or by way of thankfulness for mercies received from him; see Pro 3:6; though our Lord advises his disciples, when summoned before their persecutors, not to meditate beforehand what they should answer, since they should have immediate assistance, Luk 21:14; but this was in extraordinary cases; in common ones the observation of the wise man should be attended to. A Jewish (u) writer renders the words, "the heart of the righteous meditates wormwood", or bitter things; see Pro 5:4; as the judgment of God, death, and hell; this sense is mentioned by Aben Ezra, but rejected; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things; without any previous thought and consideration, without fear or wit; in great abundance, as water out of a fountain; thus an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things readily and at once, having no concern about the consequences of things, Mat 12:25; See Gill on Pro 15:2. (u) Kabvenaki.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Here is, 1. A good man proved to be a wise man by this, that he governs his tongue well; he that does so the same is a perfect man, Jam 3:2. It is part of the character of a righteous man that being convinced of the account he must give of his words, and of the good and bad influence of them upon others, he makes conscience of speaking truly (it is his heart that answers, that is, he speaks as he thinks, and dares not do otherwise, he speaks the truth in his heart, Psa 15:2), and of speaking pertinently and profitably, and therefore he studies to answer, that his speech may be with grace, Neh 2:4; Neh 5:7. 2. A wicked man is proved to be a fool by this, that he never heeds what he says, but his mouth pours out evil things, to the dishonour of God and religion, his own reproach, and the hurt of others. Doubtless that is an evil heart which thus overflows with evil.
Proverbs 15:28
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
27He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live. 28The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
- Scripture
- Sermons
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(Costa Rica) Another Gospel
By David Wilkerson15K54:46Another GospelPRO 15:28MAT 6:24ACT 1:82TH 2:31TI 6:102TI 4:2JAS 1:22In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of discerning false teachings and being cautious of preachers who mix the gospel with harmful messages. He shares a story about an encounter with a woman who received an envelope as an offering, but it took a long time for the actual offering to be collected. The preacher warns that even though a preacher may sound deep and deliver a good message, if there is no mention of sin and a lot of focus on money, it may be a sign of a false teaching. He also shares a personal experience of preaching a strong message and feeling fear that he may have wounded God's people, but later realizing that his message was changing hearts. The preacher concludes by warning that another gospel is coming to the church and urges believers to stay true to the gospel and not compromise, even if it may offend people.
Preachers in the Last Days
By Keith Daniel2.1K1:25:37Last DaysPRO 15:28LUK 2:49JHN 4:342TI 2:152TI 4:21PE 3:15In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of uncompromising preaching and safe spiritual fellowship for Christians worldwide. He highlights the need for a group of people who will urgently herald the coming of the Lord and wake up a slumbering church in these last days. The preacher refers to the parable of the ten virgins to illustrate the spiritual state of the true church, which he believes is a result of widespread erroneous preaching. He quotes Amos 8:11-13 to further emphasize the scarcity of hearing the words of the Lord and the resulting thirst among believers.
10 Vital Evidences of Salvation
By Keith Daniel1.6K1:27:16PSA 142:4PRO 11:30PRO 15:28PRO 16:23DAN 12:3ROM 1:162CO 5:20COL 1:27PHM 1:6HEB 9:27This sermon emphasizes the importance of not being ashamed of the gospel of Christ, highlighting the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. It discusses the unleashing of the Holy Ghost's power when Christians passionately share the gospel, urging believers to be soul winners. The sermon shares personal testimonies of leading souls to Christ and the urgency of reaching the lost before it's too late. It also stresses the need for boldness, courage, and a sense of urgency in sharing the gospel, as well as the fear of standing before God empty-handed. The sermon concludes with the importance of being equipped by God to effectively reach the lost and the promise that those who turn many to righteousness will shine brightly.
Jesus Christ Is Lord
By Dale Gish73256:03PRO 15:28MAT 6:33ACT 17:10ACT 17:19In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing the calling of God in our lives. He warns against being distracted by worldly desires and urges listeners to keep their calling pure. The sermon focuses on the practical outworkings of faith, highlighting the need for everyday actions that reflect our true identity in Christ. The speaker shares personal testimony of how feeding the flesh led him down a destructive path, emphasizing the consequences of not aligning our lives with God's will. The sermon also references biblical passages, such as Jeremiah and Peter's vision, to illustrate the message of obedience and surrender to God's calling.
Ten Vital Evidences of True Salvation
By Keith Daniel6591:29:13SalvationPRO 15:28PRO 16:23DAN 12:3MAT 28:19MRK 16:15ACT 1:82TI 2:25In this sermon, the preacher shares two powerful stories that demonstrate the saving power of the Gospel. The first story recounts a time when the preacher was interrupted during his sermon by a man who wanted to give his life to Christ. Despite the commotion, the man came forward and was embraced by the congregation in compassion. The second story involves a missionary who brings a little girl with long, white hair to the preacher. The girl had given her life to Christ and wanted to speak with him. She reveals that the preacher's testimony about his alcoholic father deeply resonated with her own family's struggles. These stories highlight the transformative impact of the Gospel and the urgency of seeking God's salvation.
John Bunyan
By J.C. Philpot0PSA 119:130PRO 15:281CO 2:42CO 3:6EPH 6:17COL 3:161TH 1:52TI 1:7HEB 4:121PE 4:11J.C. Philpot reflects on John Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress,' highlighting Bunyan's unique genius and the grace of God that sanctified his natural talent for the glory of God. Bunyan's vivid imagination, dramatic representation, and expressive style brought to life characters and scenes that resonate deeply with readers. His experience of the abiding power of eternal things shaped his powerful preaching, filled with heavenly evidence and conviction. Bunyan's clear, simple, yet fiery words pierced the conscience, making him a mighty preacher whose legacy continues to impact the church of God.
On the Vocal Ministry
By Ruth M. Pitman0PRO 15:281CO 14:3EPH 4:111TH 5:201PE 4:101JN 4:1Ruth M. Pitman preaches about the importance of a Meeting united in faith in the prophetic ministry, where individuals believe God speaks to them, guides them, and calls them to action. In such a Meeting, messages are carefully considered before being spoken, with the understanding that not every message is meant for everyone, but all are to be listened to with sensitivity and reverence. The speaker's identity is unimportant, as the focus is on the message being from God, not the individual. This type of Meeting can accept messages from anyone, even children or strangers, recognizing that God can speak through anyone, regardless of their understanding of the ministry.
Day 42, James 3
By David Servant0PRO 10:19PRO 15:28MAT 12:33ROM 5:1EPH 2:14JAS 1:26JAS 3:2JAS 3:9JAS 3:13JAS 3:17David Servant delves into the book of James, emphasizing the importance of holiness as a central theme. James highlights the need for Christians to restrain their tongues, warning that unbridled speech can reveal a lack of genuine faith. While believers may stumble in their speech, intentional wrongdoing is not the norm. James uses vivid analogies to depict the power of the tongue in shaping our lives and relationships, underscoring the need to be cautious in our speech. He stresses the connection between the heart and the words we speak, advocating for a purified heart to tame the tongue and produce good fruit, distinguishing true believers from false ones.
The Importance of Preaching
By W.H. Griffith Thomas0PRO 15:28ISA 6:8MAT 28:19LUK 4:18ACT 20:271CO 1:17COL 4:62TI 2:152TI 4:21PE 4:11W.H. Griffith Thomas emphasizes the importance of preaching, highlighting the tendency to neglect preaching in modern times and the detrimental effects of poor preaching. He stresses the necessity of strong ministry and effective Church through preaching, drawing examples from the Old Testament prophets, Jesus, and the Apostles. Thomas discusses the historical significance of preaching in maintaining the purity and strength of the Church, citing examples from Church history. He urges theological students and clergy to prioritize preaching, dedicating time, effort, and thought to sermon preparation for spiritual prosperity.
The Meals of the Sisters Should Not Be Without Reading
By St. Benedict of Nursia0PRO 15:28PHP 2:3COL 4:6JAS 1:191PE 5:5St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of incorporating reading and prayer into meals, appointing a designated reader for the week who seeks prayers for humility and divine guidance before reading. Absolute silence is to be maintained during meals, with the reader being the only one to speak. Requests for necessities are to be made through gestures rather than speech, and discussions unrelated to edification are discouraged. The designated reader is to prepare spiritually before reading, ensuring that the fast is not burdensome, and then share a meal with the kitchen and table servers of the week.
A Course of Lectures on Preaching
By R.L. Dabney0PRO 15:281CO 1:17COL 4:62TI 2:152TI 4:2R.L. Dabney's 'Evangelical Eloquence' is a timeless work on homiletics and preaching, emphasizing the divine calling and empowerment necessary for effective preaching. Dabney's scholarly yet passionate approach covers various technical aspects of preaching, including sermon preparation, biblical text handling, and sermon structure. He highlights the cardinal requisites of a sermon and provides practical guidance on sermon force and persuasive argumentation. The book also delves into the preacher's character, credibility, style, preparation methods, and pulpit prayers, offering valuable insights for those dedicated to the ministry of preaching.
The Importance of Preaching - Part 3
By W.H. Griffith Thomas0PRO 15:281CO 14:26EPH 4:112TI 4:21PE 4:10W.H. Griffith Thomas emphasizes the importance of pastoral sermons in the settled pastorate, focusing on the ministry to believers for the edification of the Body of Christ. He highlights the need for training Christians to become evangelists and workers for Christ, stressing the significance of 'edification' in all aspects of Christian Church life. Additionally, he discusses the essential elements of evangelistic sermons, such as teaching on ruin by the Fall, redemption by the Blood, and regeneration by the Spirit, and the importance of offering Christ for present acceptance. Thomas also provides practical advice on sermon preparation, storage of sermon materials, and the art of open-air preaching, urging preachers to be thorough, tactful, and earnest in their delivery.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
Two proverbs regarding the righteous and the wicked: 28 The heart of the righteous considereth how to answer right, And the mouth of the godless poureth forth evil. Instead of לענות, the lxx (Syr. and Targ.) imagines אמוּנות πίστεις; Jerome translates, but falsely, obedientiam (from ענה, to bend oneself); Meri thinks on לענה, wormwood, for the heart of the righteous revolves in itself the misery and the vanity of this present life; Hitzig corrects this verse as he does the three preceding: the heart of the righteous thinks on ענוות, a plur. of verb ענוה, which, except in this correction, does not exist. The proverb, as it stands, is, in fineness of expression and sharpness of the contrast, raised above such manglings. Instead of the righteous, the wise might be named, and instead of the godless, fools (cf. 2b); but the poet places the proverb here under the point of view of duty to neighbours. It is the characteristic of the righteous that he does not give the reins to his tongue; but as Luther has translated: the heart of the righteous considers [tichtet from dictare, frequently to speak, here carefully to think over] what is to be answered, or rather, since מה־לּענות is not used, he thinks thereupon to answer rightly, for that the word ענות is used in this pregnant sense is seen from 23a. The godless, on the contrary, are just as rash with their mouth as the righteous are of a thoughtful heart: their mouth sputters forth (effutit) evil, for they do not first lay to heart the question what may be right and just in the case that has arisen.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Compare Pro 15:14; Pro 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.
John Gill Bible Commentary
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer,.... He thinks before he speaks, meditates what he shall say, what answer to give to men; whether in things civil, natural, or religious; and what to return to the Lord when he is reproved by him; or what to say in prayer to him, or by way of thankfulness for mercies received from him; see Pro 3:6; though our Lord advises his disciples, when summoned before their persecutors, not to meditate beforehand what they should answer, since they should have immediate assistance, Luk 21:14; but this was in extraordinary cases; in common ones the observation of the wise man should be attended to. A Jewish (u) writer renders the words, "the heart of the righteous meditates wormwood", or bitter things; see Pro 5:4; as the judgment of God, death, and hell; this sense is mentioned by Aben Ezra, but rejected; but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things; without any previous thought and consideration, without fear or wit; in great abundance, as water out of a fountain; thus an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things readily and at once, having no concern about the consequences of things, Mat 12:25; See Gill on Pro 15:2. (u) Kabvenaki.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
Here is, 1. A good man proved to be a wise man by this, that he governs his tongue well; he that does so the same is a perfect man, Jam 3:2. It is part of the character of a righteous man that being convinced of the account he must give of his words, and of the good and bad influence of them upon others, he makes conscience of speaking truly (it is his heart that answers, that is, he speaks as he thinks, and dares not do otherwise, he speaks the truth in his heart, Psa 15:2), and of speaking pertinently and profitably, and therefore he studies to answer, that his speech may be with grace, Neh 2:4; Neh 5:7. 2. A wicked man is proved to be a fool by this, that he never heeds what he says, but his mouth pours out evil things, to the dishonour of God and religion, his own reproach, and the hurt of others. Doubtless that is an evil heart which thus overflows with evil.