Proverbs 15:33

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. THE FEAR OF THE LORD (IS) THE INSTRUCTION (HEBREW, THE DISCIPLINE) OF WISDOM - `the discipline' whereby "wisdom" is acquired (). "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (cf. ). Here the same sentiment occurs, with the additional notion of discipline or correction attached. Chastening, when sanctified, generates "fear of the Lord," which is the first step in true "wisdom." AND BEFORE HONOUR IS HUMILITY - not, humility is preferable to honour; but "humility," under the Lord's discipline or correction (as the parallel clause requires) goes "before honour," just as "before destruction the heart of man is haughty" ...

Verse Proverbs 15:33. _THE FEAR OF THE LORD_] Proverbs 1:7. Much is spoken concerning this _fear_; 1. It is the _beginning of_ _wisdom_. 2. It is also the _beginning of knowledge_. And, 3. It is the _instruction of wisdom_. Wisdom derives its most important lessons from the fear of God. He who fears God much, is well taught. _AND BEFORE HONOUR_ IS _HUMILITY._] That is, few persons ever arrive at _honour_ who are not _humble_; and those who from low life have risen to places of trust and confidence, have been remarkable for humility. We may rest assured that the _providence_ of God will never elevate a proud man; such God beholds _afar off_. He may get into places of trust and profit,

THE INSTRUCTION OF WISDOM - i. e., The discipline that leads to wisdom....

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

THE FEAR OF THE LORD [IS] THE INSTRUCTION OF WISDOM,.... It is "the beginning of wisdom", Proverbs 9:10; it leads unto it, instructs a man in it; by means of it he attains to true spiritual and evangelical wisdom; it teaches him to abstain from sin, and to serve the Lord; and to seek the salvation of his soul in the way God has appointed, which is by his Son Jesus Christ, which to do is the highest wisdom; AND BEFORE HONOUR [IS] HUMILITY; the fear of God and humility go together, where the one is the other is; and as the one is the way to wisdom, the other is the way to glory; Christ's humiliation was before his exaltation; men are first humbled and laid low in their own eyes, and then they are raised out of their low estate, and are set among princes; and shall inherit the throne of glory, being made kings and priests unto God; it is a frequent saying of Christ's, "he t

FEAR (_ See Scofield) - (Psalms 19:9). _...

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...

WISDOM. Hebrew. _chakmah._ See note on Proverbs 1:2. BEFORE HONOUR, &C. Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 41:16; Genesis 41:39; Genesis 41:40; Genesis 22:4); Gideon (Judges 6:15); Hananiah (Nehemiah 7:2); Daniel (Daniel 2:30); Centurion ...

_of wisdom_ See Proverbs 15:31, note. _before honour_&c. Comp. Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; Luke 18:14....