Proverbs 15

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Introduction

(Pro. 15:1-33) soft--tender or gentle. turneth . . . wrath--from any one. stir up--as a smouldering fire is excited.

Verse 2

useth . . . aright--commends knowledge by its proper use. poureth out--utters abundantly (Pro 12:23), and so disgusts others.

Verse 3

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

Verse 4

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.

Verse 5

(Compare Pro 4:1; Pro 10:17; Pro. 13:1-18). is prudent--acts discreetly.

Verse 6

treasure--implying utility. trouble--vexation and affliction.

Verse 7

(Compare Pro 10:20-21). heart . . . not so--not right, or vain.

Verse 8

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.

Verse 10

(Compare Pro 10:17). the way--that in which God would have him to go (Pro 2:13; Psa 119:1).

Verse 11

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.

Verse 12

(Compare Pro 9:8). go unto the wise--to be instructed.

Verse 13

maketh . . . countenance--or, "benefits the countenance." spirit is broken--and so the countenance is sad.

Verse 14

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

Verse 15

The state of the heart governs the outward condition. evil--sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.

Verse 16

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

Verse 17

dinner--or, "allowance" (Kg2 25:30) -- of herbs--and that the plainest. and hatred--(compare Pro 10:12, Pro 10:18).

Verse 18

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

Verse 19

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).

Verse 20

(Compare Pro 10:1).

Verse 21

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

Verse 22

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

Verse 23

Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.

Verse 24

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

Verse 25

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).

Verse 26

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

Verse 27

(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.

Verse 28

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

Verse 29

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

Verse 30

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.

Verse 31

(Compare Pro 10:17). reproof of life--which leads to life. abideth . . . wise--is numbered among them.

Verse 32

refuseth--or, "neglects," "passes by" (Pro 1:25; Pro 4:15). despiseth . . . soul--so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.

Verse 33

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