Proverbs 15 · Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
CHAPTER 15 Pr 15:1-33 . 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 ( Pr 12:23 ), and so disgusts others.
3. beholding-- watching (compare Pr 5:21 ; Psa 66:7 ).
4. A wholesome tongue-- (Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language. tree of life-- ( Pr 3:18 ; 11:30 ). perverseness therein-- cross, ill-natured language. breach ... spirit-- (compare Is 65:14 , Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.
5. (Compare Pr 4:1 ; 10:17 ; 13:1-18 ). is prudent-- acts discreetly.
6. treasure-- implying utility. trouble-- vexation and affliction.
7. (Compare Pr 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 ; Is 1:11 .
10. (Compare Pr 10:17 ). the way-- that in which God would have him to go ( Pr 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 Pr 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 Pr 10:21 , 22 ). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish ( Pr 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 ( Pr 16:18 ; 1Ti 6:6 ).
17. dinner-- or, "allowance" ( 2Ki 25:30 )-- of herbs-- and that the plainest. and hatred-- (compare Pr 10:12 , 18 ).
18. (Compare Pr 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 ).
21. walketh uprightly-- and so finds his joy ( Pr 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 ( Pr 2:22 ; 12:7 ). border-- or, "boundary for possessions" ( Psa 78:54 ).
26. are pleasant words-- that is, pleasing to God ( Pr 8:8 , 9 ).
27. (Compare Pr 11:17 ). Avarice brings trouble to him and his. hateth gifts-- or, "bribes" ( Ex 23:8 ; Psa 15:5 ), and is not avaricious.
28. (Compare Pr 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-- ( Pr 13:9 ). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so good report-- or, "doctrine" ( Is 28:9 ; 53:1 ), maketh ... fat-- or, "gives prosperity" (Pr 3:13-17; 9: 11 ). The last clause is illustrated by the first.
31-32. (Compare Pr 10:17 ). reproof of life-- which leads to life. abideth ... wise-- is numbered among them.