Jamieson, Fausset & Brown :: Commentary on Proverbs 15

The Book of Proverbs

Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET

CHAPTER 15

      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 ( Pro 12:23 ), and so disgusts others.

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

      4. A wholesome tongue--(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language.
      tree of life-- ( Pro 3:18 11:30 ).
      perverseness therein--cross, ill-natured language.
      breach. . . spirit--(compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.

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

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

      7. (Compare Pro 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 Psa 50:17 Isa 1:11.

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

      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.

      12. (Compare Pro 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 Pro 10:21, 22 ). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish ( Pro 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 ( Pro 16:18 1Ti 6:6 ).

      17. dinner--or, "allowance" ( 2Ki 25:30 ) --
      of herbs--and that the plainest.
      and hatred--(compare Pro 10:12, 18 ).

      18. (Compare Pro 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 Psa 1:3 ).

      20. (Compare Pro 10:1 ).

      21. walketh uprightly--and so finds his joy ( Pro 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 ( Pro 2:22 12:7 ).
      border--or, "boundary for possessions" ( Psa 78:54 ).

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

      27. (Compare Pro 11:17 ). Avarice brings trouble to him and his.
      hateth gifts--or, "bribes" ( Exd 23:8 Psa 15:5 ), and is not avaricious.

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

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

      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 53:1 ),
      maketh. . . fat--or, "gives prosperity" ( Pro 3:13-17 9:11 ). The last clause is illustrated by the first.

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

      32. refuseth--or, "neglects," "passes by" ( Pro 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 Luk 24:26 1Pe 1:11 ); opposite (compare Pro 16:18 ).