Proverbs 15:7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:7

This is to the same purport with Prov. 15:2; and shows what a blessing a wise man is and what a burden a fool is to those about him. Only here observe further, 1. That we then use knowledge aright when we disperse it, not confine it to a few of our intimates, and grudge it to others who would make as good use of it, but give a portion of this spiritual alms to seven and also to eight, not only be communicative, but diffusive, of this good, with humility and prudence. We must take pains to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:7

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge ,.... Scatter it about for the benefit of others; they are communicative and diffusive of it unto others, that fruit may abound to their account: so the first ministers of the Gospel diffused the savour of the knowledge of Christ and his Gospel in every place; their words went into all the earth, and their sound to the end of the world; and so every Gospel minister will speak according to the oracles of God, and according to the abilities and measure... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 15:7

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge ( Proverbs 15:2 ; Proverbs 10:31 ). The LXX . takes the verb יִרָוּ in its other signification of "binding" or "embracing," and translates, "The lips of the wise are bound ( δέδεται ) with knowledge;" i.e. knowledge is always on them and controls their movements. The wise know when to speak, when to be silent, and what to say. But the heart of the foolish doeth not so ; i.e. doth not disperse knowledge. Vulgate, cor stultorum... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 15:7

Proverbs 15:7. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge Freely communicate to others what they know, as they have opportunity; but the heart of the foolish doth not so Either because he hath no knowledge to disperse, or because he hath not a heart to perform his duty, or to do good to others. Or, as others render the word כן , and as it is rendered Genesis 42:34, is not right; that is, the heart of the foolish is not right, or disperseth (by his lips) that which is not right, namely,... 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 15:7

foolish. Hebrew. kesil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 15:7

"The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish doth not so."This is very similar to Proverbs 15:2. Toy wrote that, "It contrasts the wise man's devotion to knowledge with the intellectual dullness of the opposite class."[5] However, the concept of the `foolish' in Proverbs (and the whole Bible) is not mere intellectual dullness, but wickedness. The rich `fool" of Luke 12:20 might very well have been a graduate of the state university; and the foolish virgins (Matthew... read more

Thomas Coke