United Commentaries

Pr.15.1

Moderating emotions and suiting them to the context helps others listen to what we say without reacting.

Pr.15.2

A wise teacher presents lessons in an attractive way. Crude belching describes the ugly teaching of a fool.

Pr.15.3

Knowing that thethe eyes of the Lord is watching everywhere is motivation for wise behavior.

Pr.15.5

Wisdom requires learning from correction.

Pr.15.6

God blesses the godly with wealth (10:22; cp. 10:15 and 14:24). The wicked may also gain wealth, but it will bring trouble rather than blessing (11:4, 18; 13:11; 21:6; 22:16).

Pr.15.8

God looks beyond the outward actions of sacrifice and prayers to see if they reflect the heart’s attitude (see also 21:27; Ps 40:6-8; Mic 6:6-8).

Pr.15.11

Death and Destruction (Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon) personify the destiny of the dead. Sheol is the abode of the dead; Abaddon is a synonym for Sheol that has an added implication of punishment.

God knows all secrets (see Ps 139:1-12).

Pr.15.12

Mockers cannot become wise because they keep criticism at a distance (cp. 10:17; 13:1, 10).

Pr.15.13

What people feel affects how they present themselves (cp. 15:30).

Pr.15.14

Whether we enjoy knowledge or trash reveals whether we are on the path of wisdom or of folly.

Pr.15.15

Personality affects our outlook on life.

Pr.15.16

A healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace.

Better to have little: See also 16:8.

Pr.15.17

This better than proverb shows the relative value of wealth. A substantial meal (steak) is good, but love is better.

Pr.15.18

Controlling one’s anger is a sign of wisdom (see also Jas 1:19-20).

Pr.15.19

A lazy person can find all kinds of obstacles (e.g., a path blocked with briers) to avoid work (see 10:4, 26; 12:11, 14; 13:4; 14:4).

Pr.15.22

An individual might not think of all the angles of a problem; a wise person invites advice from many advisers.

Pr.15.24

A wise person avoids death by choosing the path of life.

Pr.15.25

The proud think that they are self-sufficient. Widows in the ancient Near East were just the opposite—completely vulnerable and without means of support or protection.

Pr.15.29

The heart behind prayers determines whether God hears them.

Pr.15.30

Just as how we feel affects our demeanor (see 15:13), what we experience (such as another person’s cheerful look or good news) can affect how we feel.

Pr.15.33

Fear of the Lord fosters humility because proper regard for God counteracts our delusions of self-sufficiency.