Proverbs 15:1 KJV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:1

Solomon, as conservator of the public peace, here tells us, 1. How the peace may be kept, that we may know how in our places to keep it; it is by soft words. If wrath be risen like a threatening cloud, pregnant with storms and thunder, a soft answer will disperse it and turn it away. When men are provoked, speak gently to them, and give them good words, and they will be pacified, as the Ephraimites were by Gideon's mildness (Jdg. 8:1-3); whereas, upon a like occasion, by Jephthah's roughness,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turneth away wrath ,.... Mild words, gentle expressions, delivered with kindness and tenderness, humility and submission; these will work upon a man's passions, weaken his resentments, and break and scatter the storm of wrath raised in his breast, just breaking forth in a very boisterous and blustering manner; so high winds are sometimes laid by soft showers. Thus the Ephraimites were pacified by Gideon's mild answer; and David by Abigail's very submissive and respectful... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer - Gentleness will often disarm the most furious, where positive derangement has not taken place; one angry word will always beget another, for the disposition of one spirit always begets its own likeness in another: thus kindness produces kindness, and rage produces rage. Universal experience confirms this proverb. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turneth away wrath . Two things are here to be observed: an answer should be given—the injured person should not wrap himself in sullen silence; and that answer should be gentle and conciliatory. This is tersely put in a mediaeval rhyme— " Frangitur ira gravis Quando est respensio suavis ." "Anger, however great, Is checked by answer sweet." Septuagint, "A submissive ( ὑποπίπτουσα ) answer averteth wrath." Thus Abigail quelled the excessive anger of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer and a bitter word Both of these are regarded as replies to angry words. They represent the wise and the foolish ways of treating such words. They give us a bright and a dark picture. Let us look at each. I. THE BRIGHT PICTURE . 1 . The answer. A soft answer need not be a weak one, nor should it imply any compromise of truth, nor any yielding of righteousness. It may be firm in substance, though soft in language and spirit. Very often the most effective reply... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:1

The soft answer This text has been on the lips of many thousands of people since it was first penned, and has probably helped many thousands of hearts to win an honourable and acceptable victory. I. THE FACT WHICH CONFRONTS US ; viz. that in this life which we are living we must expect a large measure of misunderstanding. "It is impossible but that offences will come." With all our various and complex relationships; with all that we are expecting and requiring of one another... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:1-7

Virtues and vices of the tongue I. MILDNESS AND VIOLENCE . ( Proverbs 15:1 .) The soft answer is like the water which quenches, and the bitter retort, the "grievous words," like the oil which increases the conflagration of wrath. As scriptural examples of the former, may be mentioned Jacob with Esau ( Genesis 32:1-32 , Genesis 33:1-20 ), Aaron with Moses (Le Proverbs 10:16-20 ), the Reubenites with their brethren ( Joshua 22:15-34 ), Gideon with the men of Ephraim ( 8:1-3 ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 15:1

Proverbs 15:1. A soft answer, &c. A mild, submissive, and yielding answer to him who severely chides, or reproves, turns away wrath And prevents the further progress of it. The word מענה , here rendered answer, however, signifies as well what is first said, as the reply to it, and may not improperly be translated speech, or discourse. But grievous words stir up strife But sharp, contemptuous, and insolent replies, or speeches, incense it the more, and raise a passion where there... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:1-33

Bringing joy to others (15:1-33)Words can easily cheer others or enrage them, help them or hinder them. Therefore, people should think carefully about what they say (15:1-5). In addition to being wise in their speech, they must be honest in the way they earn their income (6-7). In fact, they must be upright in all aspects of their daily lives. Only then will God, from whom nothing can be hidden, accept their sacrifices and prayers (8-11). Another matter concerning habits of speech is that those... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 15:1

turneth away wrath. Illustrations: Aaron (Leviticus 10:16-20 ); Reubenites (Joshua 22:15-34 ); Gideon (Judges 8:1-3 .Judges 15:18; Judges 15:18 ); Hannah (1 Samuel 1:15 , 1 Samuel 1:17 ); Abigail (1 Samuel 25:23 , &c). grievous = bitter, cutting, violent, &c. Illustrations: the Ephraimites (Judges 12:1-4 ); men of Israel and Judah (2 Samuel 19:41-43 . 2Sa 30:33 ); Saul and Jonathan (1 Samuel 20:30-34 ); Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 10:13-16 . 2 Chronicles 26:21 ); Eliphaz (Job 22:5 ,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 15:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:1-7

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 15:1

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:1-33

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 15:1

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