Proverbs 15:1-11

TEXT Proverbs 15:1-11

1.

A soft answer turneth away wrath;

But a grevious word stirreth up anger.

2.

The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright;

But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

3.

The eyes of Jehovah are in every place,

Keeping watch upon the evil and the good.

4.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life;

But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

5.

A fool despiseth his father's correction;

But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.

6.

In the house of the righteous is much treasure;

But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

7.

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge;

But the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

8.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah;

But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

9.

The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah;

But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

10.

There is grievous correction for him that forsaketh the way;

And he that hateth reproof shall die.

11.

Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah;

How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

STUDY QUESTIONS OVER 15:1-11

1.

Find the double contrast in Proverbs 15:1.

2.

Does fools mean simpleton or unwise in Proverbs 15:2?

3.

Cite other passages besides Proverbs 15:3 that show either the omnipresence of the omniscience of God.

4.

The breaking of what spirit (Proverbs 15:4)?

5.

Locate other passages besides Proverbs 15:5 that speak of despising correction.

6.

Locate other passages on regarding reproof (Proverbs 15:5).

7.

Who was a righteous man in the Bible who was rich (Proverbs 15:6)?

8.

Who was a wicked rich man who had trouble (Proverbs 15:6)?

9.

What does disperse mean (Proverbs 15:7)?

10.

What makes the sacrifice mentioned in Proverbs 15:8 abominable to God?

11.

Compare Proverbs 15:8-9.

12.

Forsaketh what way (Proverbs 15:10)?

13.

What is Sheol (Proverbs 15:11)?

14.

Where else is Abaddon used in the Bible (Proverbs 15:11)?

PARAPHRASE OF 15:1-11

1.

A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels.

2.

A wise teacher makes learning a joy; a rebellious teacher spouts foolishness.

3.

The Lord is watching everywhere and keeps His eye on both the evil and the good.

4.

Gentle words cause life and health; griping brings discouragement.

5.

Only a fool despises his father's advise; a wise son considers each suggestion.

6.

There is treasure in being good, but trouble dogs the wicked.

7.

Only the good can give good advice. Rebels can-'t.

8.

The Lord hates the gifts of the wicked, but delights in the prayers of His people.

9, 10.

The Lord despises the deeds of the wicked, but loves those who try to be good. If they stop trying, the Lord will punish them; if they rebel against that punishment, they will die.

11.

The depths of hell are open to God's knowledge. How much more the hearts of all mankind!

COMMENTS ON 15:1-11

Proverbs 15:1 The setting of the verse: someone has spoken angrily to us. What kind of answer shall we give? We can return a soft (gentle) answer, which will tone down the other's wrath, or we can answer in the same tone in which he spoke to us, and full-fledged trouble flares. Pulpit Commentary: Two things are here observed: an answer should be giventhe injured person should not wrap himself in sullen silence; and that answer should be gentle and conciliatory. A medieval rhyme: Anger, however great, is checked by answer sweet. This instruction is necessary for maintaining good human relations. Even strange animals are often calmed by a gentle voice. Giving a soft answer is part of obeying Romans 12:18. An instance of the soft answer working (1 Samuel 25:23-33). Instances of grievous words stirring up strife (Judges 8:1-3; Proverbs 25:15; 1 Samuel 25:10-13; 1 Kings 12:13-16).

Proverbs 15:2. A wise person has the knowledge to utter; he also knows when, where, and how to speak; and he studies or thinks before he speaks (Proverbs 15:28). Jesus-' speech was always superior, beginning with Luke 2:46-47. But fools pour out folly (Proverbs 12:23; Proverbs 13:16). A fool's voice is known by its words (Ecclesiastes 5:3).

Proverbs 15:3. Both the omnipresence and the omniscience of God are implied in this statement: He is everywhere, and He knows everything (Psalms 139:1-12; Proverbs 5:21; Jeremiah 16:17; Hebrews 4:13). Such knowledge is necessary if God is to be our judge (Jeremiah 32:19). Since He beholds both the evil and the good, God is not human, for human beings tend to see only the evil of their enemies and critics and to by-pass the evil in their friends and close relatives. This verse backs up our song, You Cannot Hide from God. Jonah (Jonah 1:3) tried it; so did Achan (Joshua 7:1; Joshua 7:11; Joshua 7:16-21); so did Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-9); so did many others.

Proverbs 15:4. A tree of life to everyone: to the one who has spoken and to those who have heard. The perverse tongue is a breaking of the spirit to all involved: the speaker himself is often hurt; so are those who have been spoken to. A kind tongue was a part of the virtuous woman (Proverbs 31:26).

Proverbs 15:5. A fool is wrong twice: first, he disobeys, and then he will not accept correctionmuch like King Asa (2 Chronicles 16:7-10). Some will accept correction, and some won-'t (Proverbs 10:1). Those who do are wise (Proverbs 10:1); those who don-'t aren-'t. See these passages (Proverbs 13:18; Proverbs 15:10; Proverbs 15:12; Proverbs 15:31-32).

Proverbs 15:6. This was especially true of Israel's and Judah's kings. Those who were good gained cities and amassed wealth through the blessing of God, and those who were wicked often lost cities and had to pay off their enemies to keep from being destroyed.

Proverbs 15:7. Another contrast between the wise and foolish. The wise's lips disperse (disseminate, give out) knowledge (Proverbs 10:21), but the foolish's heart has no inclination to do so. These two groups live poles apart. They live in the same material world, yet they live in two different worlds while here.

Proverbs 15:8. Sometimes the wicked sacrifice, pray, and keep up a front of religion, but it does them no good (Proverbs 21:27; Proverbs 28:9; Genesis 4:5; Isaiah 1:11; Jeremiah 6:20; Amos 5:22: Mark 7:7; Luke 18:11-14). God is pleased to hear the prayers of the godly (1 Peter 2:12; John 9:31; 1 John 3:22).

Proverbs 15:9. This verse goes closely with Proverbs 15:8. Sinners often look down upon others who do not live as they live, go where they go, and indulge in what they indulge in. They seem to be very sold on themselves and their ways, even thinking it strange that others do not run with them to the same excess of riot and speaking evil of them (1 Peter 4:4); but their ways are abominable to God (this verse;. And Psalms 1:1 says, Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scoffers. Righteousness is something to be followed (pursued). and we are to follow wherever it may lead (Proverbs 21:21; 1 Timothy 6:11). There are paths of righteousness (Psalms 23:3) where the Good Shepherd has led His sheep throughout the centuries of time.

Proverbs 15:10. Those who are in the way of the wicked (Proverbs 15:9) are in for grievous correction, both by God and man (God's chastening and man's courts and personal dealings). And while such are famous for not regarding reproof, not listening, not amending their ways, they had better, for he that hateth reproof shall die (sometimes by execution, sometimes by God's cutting him off, and by ultimately the second death). Other passages: Proverbs 15:5; Proverbs 15:12; Proverbs 15:32; Proverbs 5:12; Proverbs 10:17; Hebrews 12:11.

Proverbs 15:11. Sheol is the Hebrew word for the place of departed spirits (the same as Hades in Greek). Abaddon is the Hebrew word for destruction (the same as Apollyon in Greek). Both forms of the latter are used in Revelation 9:11 Sheol and Abaddon are used together in Job 26:6 and Proverbs 27:20. The omniscience of God, then, extends to those who have perished (this verse; Psalms 139:8), and so does it also to the hearts of men (1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Chronicles 6:30; Psalms 7:9; Psalms 44:21; John 2:24-25; Acts 1:24; Acts 8:21).

TEST QUESTIONS OVER 15:1-11

1.

In what two ways can we respond to cutting words (Proverbs 15:1)?

2.

Give the outcome of the two different answers (Proverbs 15:1)?.

3.

Comment upon a wise person's uttering knowledge (Proverbs 15:2).

4.

What comes forth from a fool's mouth (Proverbs 15:2)?

5.

Cite two passages showing God's omniscience (Proverbs 15:3).

6.

Why is God's omniscience necessary to His righteous judgment (Proverbs 15:3)?

7.

Who all are blessed by the gentle tongue (Proverbs 15:4)?

8.

Who all are hurt by the perverse tongue (Proverbs 15:4)?

9.

What two times is the fool of Proverbs 15:5 wrong?

10.

Illustrate Proverbs 15:6 by some of the kings of Israel and Judah.

11.

What is the contrast between the wise and foolish in Proverbs 15:7?

12.

Why would the wicked bother to sacrifice to God (Proverbs 15:8)?

13.

What about the sacrifice of the wicked (Proverbs 15:8)?

14.

How does sinners-' view of the ungodly life differ from God's view of it (Proverbs 15:8)?

15.

What does it mean to follow righteousness (Proverbs 15:9)?

16.

Who will correct the person who forsakes the right way (Proverbs 15:10)?

17.

Why should people listen to reproof (Proverbs 15:10)?

18.

What is Sheol (Proverbs 15:11)?

19.

What Greek word means the same (Proverbs 15:11)?

20.

What does Abaddon mean (Proverbs 15:11)?

21.

What Greek word means the same (Proverbs 15:11)?

22.

According to Proverbs 15:11 what is before the eyes of God?