Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Proverbs
Book: Proverbs
Chapter: 15
Overview:
1 A right cause will be better pleaded with
Meekness than with
Passion. Nothing stirs up
Anger like grievous words. 2. He
that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others.
3. Secret sins, services, and sorrows, are under
God's
Eye.
This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners. 4. A
good tongue is healing to wounded consciences,
By comforting
them; to
Sin-sick souls,
By convincing them; and it reconciles
parties at variance. 5. If instruction is despised, reprove
men rather than suffer them to go
On undisturbed in the way to
ruin. 6. The wealth of worldly men increases their fears and
suspicions, adds strength to their passions, and renders the
fear of
Death more distressing. 7. We use knowledge aright
when we disperse it; but the
Heart of the foolish has nothing to
disperse that is good. 8,9. The wicked
Put other things in the
stead of
Christ's
Atonement, or in the place of holy obedience.
Praying graces are his
Gift, and the work of his
Spirit, with
which he is
Well pleased. 10. He that hates reproof shall
perish in his sins, since he would not be parted from them.
11. There is nothing that can be hid from the eyes of
God, not
even
Man's thoughts. 12. A scorner cannot
Bear to reflect
seriously within his own
Heart. 13. A gloomy, impatient,
unthankful
Spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to
worldly objects, renders a
Man uneasy to himself and others.
14. A
Wise Man seeks to gain more
Wisdom, growing in
Grace and
in the knowledge of
Christ. But a
Carnal mind rests contented,
flattering itself. 15. Some are much in affliction, and of a
sorrowful
Spirit. Such are to be pitied, prayed for, and
comforted. And others serve
God with gladness of
Heart, and it
prompts their obedience, yet they should rejoice with trembling.
16,17. Believers often have enough when worldly eyes see
little; the
Lord is with them, without the cares, troubles, and
temptations which are with the wealth of the wicked. 18. He
that is slow to
Anger, not only prevents strife, but appeases
it, if kindled. 19. Those who have
No Heart to their work,
pretend that they cannot do their work without hardship and
danger. And thus many live always in doubt about their state,
because always in neglect of some duty. 20. Those who treat an
aged mother or a
Father with contempt or neglect, show their own
folly. 21. Such as are truly
Wise, study that their thoughts,
words, and actions should be regular, sincere, and holy. 22.
If men will not take time and pains to deliberate, they are not
likely to bring any thing to pass. 23.
Wisdom is needed to
suit our discourse to the occasions. 24. A good
Man sets his
affections
On things above; his way leads directly thither.
25. Pride is the ruin of multitudes. But those who are in
affliction
God will support. 26. The thoughts of wicked men
offend Him who knows the
Heart. 27. The covetous
Man lets none
of his family have
Rest or enjoyment. And greediness of gain
often tempts to projects that bring ruin. 28. A good
Man is
proved to be a
Wise Man By this; he governs his tongue
Well.
29. God sets himself at a distance from those who set him at
defiance. 30. How delightful to the humbled soul to hear the
good report of
Salvation By the
Lord Jesus Christ! 31.
Faithful, friendly reproofs help spiritual
Life, and lead to
eternal
Life. 32. Sinners undervalue their own souls;
therefore they prefer the body before the soul, and wrong the
soul to please the body. 33. The fear of the
Lord will dispose
us to search the Scriptures with reverence; and it will cause us
to follow the leadings of the Holy
Spirit. While we humbly place
all our dependence
On the
Grace of
God, we are exalted in the
Righteousness of
Christ.