Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET
CHAPTER 15
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 (Pro 12:23), and so disgusts others.
3. beholding—watching (compare Pro 5:21; Psa 66:7).
4. A wholesome tongue—(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language.
tree of life— (Pro 3:18; 11:30).
perverseness therein—cross, ill-natured language.
breach...spirit—(compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.
5. (Compare Pro 4:1; 10:17; 13:1-18).
is prudent—acts discreetly.
6. treasure—implying utility.
trouble—vexation and affliction.
7. (Compare Pro 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; Isa 1:11.
10. (Compare Pro 10:17).
the way—that in which God would have him to go (Pro 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 Pro 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 Pro 10:21-22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pro 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 (Pro 16:18; 1Ti 6:6).
17. dinner—or, "allowance" (2Ki 25:30) —
of herbs—and that the plainest.
and hatred—(compare Pro 10:12, 18).
18. (Compare Pro 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).
20. (Compare Pro 10:1).
21. walketh uprightly—and so finds his joy (Pro 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 (Pro 2:22; 12:7).
border—or, "boundary for possessions" (Psa 78:54).
26. are pleasant words—that is, pleasing to God (Pro 8:8-9).
27. (Compare Pro 11:17). Avarice brings trouble to him and his.
hateth gifts—or, "bribes" (Exd 23:8; Psa 15:5), and is not avaricious.
28. (Compare Pro 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— (Pro 13:9). What gives light rejoiceth the heart, by relieving from anxiety as to our course; so
good report—or, "doctrine" (Isa 28:9; 53:1),
maketh...fat—or, "gives prosperity" (Pro 3:13-17; 9:11). The last clause is illustrated by the first.
31, 32. (Compare Pro 10:17).
reproof of life—which leads to life.
abideth...wise—is numbered among them.
32. refuseth—or, "neglects," "passes by" (Pro 1:25; 4:15).
despiseth...soul—so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.
33. The fear...wisdom—Wisdom instructs in true piety.
before...humility—(compare Luk 24:26; 1Pe 1:11); opposite (compare Pro 16:18).