Proverbs 15:3

BEHOLDING THE EVIL AND THE GOOD. — Waiting till the iniquity of the one is full (Genesis 15:16), watching to aid the other (Psalms 34:15; Psalms 34:17).... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:4

A WHOLESOME TONGUE. — One which heals and soothes by its gentleness and judicious words. (Comp. Proverbs 12:18.) A TREE OF LIFE. — Comp. Proverbs 3:18; Proverbs 11:30. PERVERSENESS. — Distortion of the truth. (Comp. Proverbs 11:3.) A BREACH IN THE SPIRIT — _i.e.,_ deeply wounds another’s spirit.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:6

IN THE HOUSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS MUCH TREASURE. — For God’s blessing (Proverbs 3:33) is upon it; while the wicked, from his recklessness in the pursuit of gain, brings trouble (Proverbs 15:27) upon himself and his family.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:8

THE SACRIFICE OF THE WICKED IS AN ABOMINATION TO THE LORD. — And their prayers also (Isaiah 1:11). The worthlessness of sacrifice without obedience (comp. 1 Samuel 15:22) may be here especially mentioned, because men are apt to think that what involves cost and trouble must be pleasing to God, even... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:10

CORRECTION IS GRIEVOUS. — Rather, _There is a grievous correction for him that forsaketh the_ (right) _way;_ first of all, punishment for the sake of “correction” (Leviticus 26:14, _sqq._)_,_ and then, lastly, in the case of obstinate hatred of “reproof,” death (_Ibid._ Proverbs 15:33).... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:11

HELL AND DESTRUCTION. — “Hell” is here the general name for the unseen world (_Hades_) beyond the grave, so called, according to one derivation, from its always “asking” for more victims, and never being satisfied. (Comp. Proverbs 27:20.) “Destruction” (_Abaddon_) is the lowest hell, corresponding t... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:15

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 hea... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:16

TROUBLE. — The “disquiet” (Psalms 39:6) which attends the pursuit and care of riches, in contrast to the “peace which they have who love God’s law. (Psalms 119:165.)... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:19

AS A HEDGE OF THORNS. — Every difficulty in his path serves as an excuse for inaction (comp. Proverbs 22:13); while the upright man, who does his duty as in the sight of God, goes “from strength to strength” (Psalms 84:7), along the path of life smoothed for him (Isaiah 26:7), performing the “just w... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:21

FOLLY. — Shown in wasted opportunities, and the commission of evil (Proverbs 10:23), while the “man of understanding” directs his way in accordance with the will of God.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:23

A MAN HATH JOY BY THE ANSWER OF HIS MOUTH. — So much mischief is done by the tongue, and its slips are so many, that when a man makes a suitable reply, he may well rejoice and look upon it as the gift of God (Proverbs 16:1).... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:24

THE WAY OF LIFE IS ABOVE TO THE WISE. — These words sound like a faint echo of such passages as Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:1, though the writer’s meaning may only have been that the wise man who fears the Lord (Proverbs 1:7) is rewarded with long life on earth (Proverbs 3:16), and escapes death... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:25

THE PROUD — who trust in their own strength; while He will “establish the border,” or landmark, of the helpless widow, who has none to cry to but Him. The frequently threatened punishment against one who removes his neighbour’s landmark, shews the offence to have been a common form of oppression. (C... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:26

THE THOUGHTS OF THE WICKED. — Rather, _thoughts of evil, wicked designs._ BUT THE WORDS OF THE PURE ARE PLEASANT WORDS. — Rather, _pleasant words_ (i.e., kindly meant, soothing words; comp. Proverbs 16:24) _are pure_ in God’s sight; accepted by Him as coming from a well-meaning heart.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:27

HE THAT IS GREEDY OF GAIN. — Ill-gotten gain, especially bribes, as is seen in the next line. TROUBLETH HIS OWN HOUSE. — The word used of Achan (Joshua 7:25). GIFTS. — Bribes taken by a judge. (Ecclesiastes 7:7.)... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:28

THE HEART OF THE RIGHTEOUS STUDIETH TO ANSWER — _i.e._, aright, knowing how much good and evil is caused by words. (Comp. James 3:5, _sqq._)... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:29

HE HEARETH THE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS. — For they desire above all things to do His will, and so their petitions to this effect are heard by Him.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:30

THE LIGHT OF THE EYES... — It does the heart good to see one whose eyes are sparkling with happiness. A GOOD REPORT. — Good news, affecting either oneself or others.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:31

THE EAR THAT HEARETH THE REPROOF OF LIFE — _i.e.,_ one which does not refuse reproof, or instruction, which leads to life. (Comp. Proverbs 6:23.) The “ear” is put for the person, as in Job 29:11.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 15:33

THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE INSTRUCTION OF WISDOM. — Or, _a discipline which leads to wisdom._ (Comp. Proverbs 1:7.) BEFORE HONOUR IS HUMILITY. — Humility leads to it. (Comp. Luke 1:52.)... [ Continue Reading ]

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