Proverbs 15:18

A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. A WRATHFUL MAN STIRRETH UP STRIFE - even where there was perfect harmony. He gives occasion to, and takes up hastily any occasion given for strife. "Stirreth up" (Hebrew, geerah) - literally, mixes, implying the reciprocal idea of giving and taking offence. BUT HE THAT IS SLOW TO ANGER APPEASETH STRIFE - so far is he from stirring it up....

EXPOSITION PROVERBS 15:1 A SOFT ANSWER TURNETH AWAY WRATH. Two things are here to be observed: an answer should be given—the injured person should not wrap himself in sullen silence; and that answer should be gentle and conciliatory. This is tersely put in a mediaeval rhyme— "_Frangitur ira gravis_ _Quando est respensio suavis_." "Anger, however great, Is checked by answer sweet." Septuagint, "A submissive (ὑποπίπτουσα)_ _answer averteth wrath." Thus Abigail quelled the excessive anger of David by her judicious submission (1 Samuel 25:24, etc.). BUT GRIEVOUS WORDS STIR UP ANGER. A word that causes vexation makes anger rise the higher. Ὁργῆς ματαίας εἰσὶν

A WRATHFUL MAN STIRRETH UP STRIFE,.... A man of a wrathful disposition, of a furious spirit, of an angry temper; that is under the power and dominion of such a passion, and indulges it, and takes all opportunities to gratify it; he stirs up strife and contention where there was none, or where it was laid; as a man stirs up coals of fire and raises a flame; see Proverbs 26:21. He stirs up strife in families, sets one relation against another, and the house in an uproar; he stirs up contentions in neighbourhoods, and sets one friend and neighbour against another, whence proceed quarrels and lawsuits: he stirs up strife in churches, breaks brotherly love, and causes animosities and divisions; he stirs up strife in kingdoms and states, whence come wars and fightings, confusion, and every evil work; BUT [HE THAT IS] SLOW TO ANGER APPEASETH STRIFE: a man of a quiet and peac

CHAPTER 15 THE BETTER THINGS One can read through the proverbs recorded in this chapter and ask the question, What are the better things? A soft answer which turneth away wrath is better than grievous words Proverbs 15:1. The tongue of the righteous which useth knowledge aright is better than the mouth of fools Proverbs 15:2. Better is the prayer of the upright than the sacrifice of the wicked Proverbs 15:8). Better is he that followeth after righteousness than the way of the wicked, for the one the Lord delights in, the other is an abomination Proverbs 15:9). Better is the heart that seeketh knowledge than to feed on fool

PROVERBS 15. This chapter makes no new departure. Proverbs concerning the moral government of the world again occupy the chief place. One (Proverbs 15:11) is noteworthy as showing an extended conception of the sphere of God's government. Earlier Heb. religion regarded Sheol as outside the kingdom of God; there the dead do not praise or remember Him. We have also some more psychological proverbs dealing with the value of cheerfulness. PROVERBS 15:2. UTTERETH ARIGHT: paraphrase rather than translation, lit. makes good. Read drops (as Deuteronomy 32:2; Job 29:22), a more natural contrast to pours out in...

STRIFE. contention, or discord....

_strife … strife_ CONTENTION … STRIFE, R.V., to indicate that the Heb. words are different....

TEXT Proverbs 15:12-22 12. A scoffer loveth not to be reproved; He will not go unto the wise. 13. A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. 14. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly. 15. All the days of the afflicted are evil; But he that is of a cheerful heart hath a continual feast. 16. Better is little, with the fear of Jehovah, Than great treasure and trouble therewith. 17. Better is a dinner of herbs, where love is, Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 18. A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. 19. The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns; But the path of the upright is

1. GRIEVOUS] i.e. annoying. 'If one pour in hot water let the other pour in cold.'...

LESSONS ABOUT WISDOM PROVERBS _KEITH SIMONS_ CHAPTER 15 V1 A quiet answer reduces anger. But an impatient word increases anger. V2 A wise man’s words are full of knowledge. A fool’s words are plentiful, but his words are all foolish. V3 God sees everything. He watches both good people and evil people....