8. Further advice for wise living chs. 14-15These proverbs are more difficult to group together under a general heading because there are fewer common ideas that tie them together. read more
1. Grievous] i.e. annoying. ’If one pour in hot water let the other pour in cold.’3. Beholding] RV ’keeping watch upon,’ as watching over a city (Isaiah 52:8), or the prophets over the people (Ezekiel 3:17). 4. Read, ’a soothing tongue.. a wound in the spirit.’7. Doeth not so] RM ’is not steadfast.’8. A costly offering from the one is unacceptable: the mere prayer of the other is accepted (Mark 12:42).11. Hell and destruction] RV ’Sheol and Abaddon.’ The latter means ’place of destruction’: cp.... read more
(15) All the days of the afflicted are evil.—Another caution against over-anxiety. The “afflicted” here evidently means, not one who has to bear great misfortunes, but one who makes the worst of everything, to whom the “clouds return after the rain” (Ecclesiastes 12:2); while one who is “of a merry heart” does just the contrary. read more
CHAPTER 16A PASSIONATE DISPOSITION"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but a grievous word stirreth up anger." In the LXX there is another clause inserted at the beginning.- Proverbs 15:1"A meek tongue is a tree of life; but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit."- Proverbs 15:4"A wrathful man stirreth up contention; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife."- Proverbs 15:18BAD temper causes more suffering than the modified severity with which we judge it would imply. It is in a... read more
CHAPTER 15 The Better Things One can read through the proverbs recorded in this chapter and ask the question, What are the better things? A soft answer which turneth away wrath is better than grievous words Proverbs 15:1 . The tongue of the righteous which useth knowledge aright is better than the mouth of fools Proverbs 15:2 . Better is the prayer of the upright than the sacrifice of the wicked Proverbs 15:8 ). Better is he that followeth after righteousness than the way of the wicked, for... read more
Some regard the division now entered upon as the original nucleus of the whole collection of proverbs (see the first sentence of verse one). The division extends really to the close of chapter 22, and contains “maxims, precepts and admonitions with respect to the most diverse relations of life.” In so much of it as is covered by the present lesson we have a contrast “between the godly and the ungodly, and their respective lots in life.” We have this contrast set before us, first in general... read more
The Soft Answer, Etc. Proverbs 15:1 , Proverbs 15:3 , Pro 15:10 Understand by "a soft answer," not a reply marked by intellectual feebleness, but one inspired by the very spirit of modesty and graciousness. Such an answer cannot be returned as a mere art, because the wrath to which it replies excites natural surprise and indignation, and may be supposed to necessitate a communication in its own key and temper. The soft answer is unique by contrast. It is so unexpected, so unlike the... read more
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. Better is it to sit down to the poorest table where Jesus is, and his love manifested in blessing the scanty fare, than all the... read more
Feast. Those who repine at their condition are miserable; while the poor may be delivered from many cares. (Calmet) --- ----- O vit'e6 tuta facultas Pauperis angustique laris. (Luc. Phar. v.) --- Under affliction every thing displeases; but all delights the cheerful temper. read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 15:15
15. The state of the heart governs the outward condition. evil—sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast. read more