Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 15
Verses 1-33
CHAPTER 15
Pr 15:1-33.
1. soft—tender or gentle.
turneth … wrath—from any one.
stir up—as a smouldering fire is excited.
Verses 2
2. useth … aright—commends knowledge by its proper use.
poureth out—utters abundantly (Pr 12:23), and so disgusts others.
Verses 3
3. beholding—watching (compare Pr 5:21; Ps 66:7).
Verses 4
4. A wholesome tongue—(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language.
tree of life—(Pr 3:18; 11:30).
perverseness therein—cross, ill-natured language.
breach … spirit—(compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.
Verses 5
5. (Compare Pr 4:1; 10:17; 13:1-18).
is prudent—acts discreetly.
Verses 6
6. treasure—implying utility.
trouble—vexation and affliction.
Verses 7
7. (Compare Pr 10:20, 21).
heart … not so—not right, or vain.
Verses 8
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 Ps 50:17; Isa 1:11.
Verses 9-10
10. (Compare Pr 10:17).
the way—that in which God would have him to go (Pr 2:13; Ps 119:1).
Verses 11
11. Hell—(Ps 16:10).
destruction—or, "Abaddon," the place of the destroyer. All the unseen world is open to God, much more men's hearts.
Verses 12
12. (Compare Pr 9:8).
go unto the wise—to be instructed.
Verses 13
13. maketh … countenance—or, "benefits the countenance."
spirit is broken—and so the countenance is sad.
Verses 14
14. (Compare Pr 10:21, 22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pr 9:9).
Verses 15
15. The state of the heart governs the outward condition.
evil—sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.
Verses 16
16. trouble—agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Pr 16:18; 1Ti 6:6).
Verses 17
17. dinner—or, "allowance" (2Ki 25:30)—
of herbs—and that the plainest.
and hatred—(compare Pr 10:12, 18).
Verses 18
18. (Compare Pr 14:29; 16:32).
Verses 19
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; Ps 1:3).
Verses 20
20. (Compare Pr 10:1).
Verses 21
21. walketh uprightly—and so finds his joy (Pr 3:6; 10:23).
Verses 22
22. Without counsel—or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.
Verses 23
23. Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.
Verses 24
24. (Compare Col 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.
Verses 25
25. The most desolate who have God's aid have more permanent good than the self-reliant sinner (Pr 2:22; 12:7).
border—or, "boundary for possessions" (Ps 78:54).
Verses 26
26. are pleasant words—that is, pleasing to God (Pr 8:8, 9).
Verses 27
27. (Compare Pr 11:17). Avarice brings trouble to him and his.
hateth gifts—or, "bribes" (Ex 23:8; Ps 15:5), and is not avaricious.
Verses 28
28. (Compare Pr 15:14; 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.
Verses 29
29. far … wicked—in His love and favor (Ps 22:11; 119:155).
Verses 30
30. light of the eyes—(Pr 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" (Pr 3:13-17; 9:11). The last clause is illustrated by the first.
Verses 31
31, 32. (Compare Pr 10:17).
reproof of life—which leads to life.
abideth … wise—is numbered among them.
Verses 32
32. refuseth—or, "neglects," "passes by" (Pr 1:25; 4:15).
despiseth … soul—so acts as if esteeming its interests of no value.
Verses 33
33. The fear … wisdom—Wisdom instructs in true piety.
before … humility—(compare Lu 24:26; 1Pe 1:11); opposite (compare Pr 16:18).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871). Public domain.