Proverbs 15 — Jamieson–Fausset–Brown
15:1
1. soft--tender or gentle. turneth ... wrath--from any one. stir up--as a smouldering fire is excited.
15:2
2. useth ... aright--commends knowledge by its proper use. poureth out--utters abundantly (Pr 12:23), and so disgusts others.
15:3
3. beholding--watching (compare Pr 5:21; Psa 66:7).
15:4
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 Is 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.
15:5
5. (Compare Pr 4:1; 10:17; 13:1-18). is prudent--acts discreetly.
15:6
6. treasure--implying utility. trouble--vexation and affliction.
15:7
7. (Compare Pr 10:20, 21). heart ... not so--not right, or vain.
15:8–9
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; Is 1:11.
15:10
10. (Compare Pr 10:17). the way--that in which God would have him to go (Pr 2:13; Psa 119:1).
15:11
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.
15:12
12. (Compare Pr 9:8). go unto the wise--to be instructed.
15:13
13. maketh ... countenance--or, "benefits the countenance." spirit is broken--and so the countenance is sad.
15:14
14. (Compare Pr 10:21, 22). The wise grow wiser, the fools more foolish (Pr 9:9).
15:15
15. The state of the heart governs the outward condition. evil--sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.
15:16
16. trouble--agitation, implying the anxieties and perplexities attending wealth held by worldlings (Pr 16:18; 1Ti 6:6).
15:17
17. dinner--or, "allowance" (2Ki 25:30)-- of herbs--and that the plainest. and hatred--(compare Pr 10:12, 18).
15:18
18. (Compare Pr 14:29; 16:32).
15:19
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; Psa 1:3).
15:20
20. (Compare Pr 10:1).
15:21
21. walketh uprightly--and so finds his joy (Pr 3:6; 10:23).
15:22
22. Without counsel--or, "deliberation," implying a wise deference to the opinions of the wise and good, contrasted with rashness.
15:23
23. Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.
15:24
24. (Compare Col 3:2). Holy purposes prevent sinning, and so its evils.
15:25
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" (Psa 78:54).
15:26
26. are pleasant words--that is, pleasing to God (Pr 8:8, 9).
15:27
27. (Compare Pr 11:17). Avarice brings trouble to him and his. hateth gifts--or, "bribes" (Ex 23:8; Psa 15:5), and is not avaricious.
15:28
28. (Compare Pr 15:14; 10:11). Caution is the fruit of wisdom; rashness of folly.
15:29
29. far ... wicked--in His love and favor (Psa 22:11; 119:155).
15:30
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" (Is 28:9; 53:1), maketh ... fat--or, "gives prosperity" (Pr 3:13-17; 9:11). The last clause is illustrated by the first.
15:31–32
31-32. (Compare Pr 10:17). reproof of life--which leads to life. abideth ... wise--is numbered among them.
15:33
33. The fear ... wisdom--Wisdom instructs in true piety. before ... humility--(compare Lu 24:26; 1Pe 1:11); opposite (compare Pr 16:18).