Proverbs 15:1-4 NIV

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:2

Note, 1. A good heart by the tongue becomes very useful. He that has knowledge is not only to enjoy it, for his own entertainment, but to use it, to use it aright, for the edification of others; and it is the tongue that must make use of it in pious profitable discourse, in giving suitable and seasonable instructions, counsels, and comforts, with all possible expressions of humility and love, and then knowledge is used aright; and to him that has, and thus uses what he has, more shall be... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:3

The great truths of divinity are of great use to enforce the precepts of morality, and none more than this?That the eye of God is always upon the children of men. 1. An eye to discern all, not only from which nothing can be concealed, but by which every thing is actually inspected, and nothing overlooked or looked slightly upon: The eyes of the Lord are in every place; for he not only sees all from on high (Ps. 33:13), but he is every where present. Angels are full of eyes (Rev. 4:8), but God... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:4

Note, 1. A good tongue is healing, healing to wounded consciences by comforting them, to sin-sick souls by convincing them, to peace and love when it is broken by accommodating differences, compromising matters in variance, and reconciling parties at variance; this is the healing of the tongue, which is a tree of life, the leaves of which have a sanative virtue, Rev. 22:2. He that knows how to discourse will make the place he lives in a paradise. 2. An evil tongue is wounding (perverseness,... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:2

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright ,.... As the heart of a wise and good man is filled with useful knowledge, civil, moral, spiritual, and evangelical; so he takes care to communicate it, at proper times and seasons, in proper places, and to proper persons; adapting it to their case and circumstances, so as it may be for their comfort, edification, and instruction, and minister grace unto them; which is using knowledge "well", as the word F19 היטיב "utitur bene", Castalio;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the Lord are in every place ,.... Which are expressive of his omniscience, of the full, clear, distinct, and perfect knowledge, which he has of all creatures and things; so that nothing is hid from him, but all open and manifest to him; as they are to Christ the essential Word, Hebrews 4:13 ; and also of the providence of God with respect to all persons in general, and to his own people in particular; and as he is infinite and immense, omnipresent and in all places of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:4

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life ,.... A tongue that delivers out salutary instructions, wholesome advice and counsel; a "healing tongue" F23 מרפא "sanans", so some in Vatablus. , as it may be rendered, which pacifies contending parties, and heals the divisions between them; to have the benefit of such a man's company and conversation is like being in paradise. Such is the tongue of a Gospel minister, which delivers out the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ; sound speech... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 15:2

Useth knowledge aright - This is very difficult to know: - when to speak, and when to be silent; what to speak, and what to leave unspoken; the manner that is best and most suitable to the occasion, the subject, the circumstances, and the persons. All these are difficulties, often even to the wisest men. Even wise counsel may be foolishly given. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 15:4

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:4

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 15:2

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