Proverbs 15

Notes

Ver. 1. Mild, submissive, and yielding answers pacify anger and wrath: but sharp, contemptuous, and impertinent language increases passion, or kindles it up where it was not before. 2. A wise man gives profitable instructions, and understands how to speak in a seasonable and prudent manner: whereas fools, by the worthless stuff they utter, and by their indiscreet and confused manner of expressing their thoughts, only manifest their own folly. 3. The infinite knowledge and observance of God extends everywhere, and to every person or action, thought, or disposition, whether good or bad. 4. Wholesome and profitable discourses instruct the ignorant, comfort the grieved, heal breaches, cure contentions among neighbours, and soften the exasperated; but corrupt, proud, passionate, and erroneous discourse disturbs the peace, and corrupts the temper and manners, of both speakers and hearers. 5. Inattention to the instructions, advices, and reproofs of superiors, manifests and issues in the greatest folly; but he who willingly receives rebukes, and carefully observes them, shows himself wise, and prudently consults his own welfare and happiness. 6. A truly pious, just, and merciful man is really very rich; as, however little of this world's wealth he may possess, he has all things working for his real advantage, and God's blessing on what he has, and is contented with it: but vexation and trouble embitter the revenues of the wicked. They are gotten with anxiety, enjoyed under a curse, employed in the service of sin, and tend to their ruin. 7. Wise men tender good instructions, advices, and reproofs to all around them: but foolish men, having their heart filled with ignorance and lust, impart nothing valuable. 8. All the external devotions and most liberal almsgivings of wicked men, are so far from recommending them to God's favour, that they are abhorred by him as but the vile gratifications of their own pride, legality, or other lusts; but the most humble prayers and meanest services of those united to Christ, which are performed in faith and dependence on him, and sincerely aiming at his glory, are exceedingly acceptable to him, and issue in much comfort to themselves. 9. The whole designs, contrivances, thoughts, words, and actions of wicked men are abominable to the Lord; and this renders their religious services corrupt and hated: but he loves such as, having Jesus' sacrificial life in their souls, do, in their thoughts, affections, and endeavours, earnestly study to perfect holiness in his fear. 10. Such as dislike faithful reproof, for their apostasy from the ways of the Lord, shall be severely punished; and at last, if they continue haters of admonition and advice, shall certainly be lost. 11. The state of the dead and lost, and every other thing unknown to us, are perfectly known to God. How exact then must be his knowledge and observance of the dispositions, purposes, and thoughts of men! 12. Mockers of God and religion shun the admonitions of their conscience, and hate such as reprove them; and even avoid the company of wise, religious, or virtuous persons, lest they should meet with their reproofs or advices. 13. When the conscience is graciously purged and quieted, and the mind comforted, it issues in outward health and cheerfulness: but grief and sorrow, seizing on the heart, disturb, weaken, and dispirit it, and make a man a burden to himself and to all around. 14. Such as are truly wise, and inwardly instructed by the Spirit of God, earnestly study to obtain more solid knowledge: but persons void of true understanding gape after, and relish nothing but frivolous, vain, and unprofitable things. 15. All the days of persons discontented under their afflictions are grievous and miserable: but they who have their conscience graciously quieted, their heart joyful in God, and content with their lot, have more true and perpetual comfort and satisfaction than can be enjoyed in the most delicious banquet on earth. 16. A very small share of earthly enjoyments, attended with real grace and true holiness, is better than the largest abundance of wealth with the disquiet, confusion, and anxious care which usually attend it. 17. The meanest fare, attended by the mutual love of friends, is far preferable to the most sumptuous entertainment attended with hatred and contention. 18. Hasty, passionate, and furious persons are apt to quarrel for very trifles, and so disturb the most peaceable company: but those who are humble, meek, and patient, instead of raising strife themselves, will labour to compose it when it has been raised by others. 19. A slothful man is apt to fancy or pretend a great many unconquerable difficulties in the way of his duty: but a good and active person looks on his way as easy and plain, notwithstanding a few trifling hindrances. 20. Nothing so much rejoices the hearts of pious parents as to see their children grow up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord: but foolish children requite their mothers' fond indulgence by irreverent carriage towards them; and by despising their commands, instructions, advices, or reproofs, and so making them contemptible. 21. They who are void of grace, sense, and consideration, take pleasure in doing the most empty, absurd, and wicked things: but such as are truly knowing and wise study for their own pleasure and comfort, as well as for the honour of God, to conduct their thoughts, words, and actions in a regular, sincere, and holy manner. 22. Without prudent counsellors, and for want of due deliberation, the most important designs and projects often miscarry: but where, by prudent consultation, difficulties are foreseen and provided against, men's purposes succeed to their wish. 23. Ready, pertinent, and seasonable advice is an honour and comfort to him who gives it, especially when the good success of it is found, and it is very profitable to him who receives it. 24. Holy and gracious persons, in the pursuit of everlasting life, set their affections and hopes on things above, have their conversation in heaven, and eye the glory of God in everything they do, that they may escape sinful pollutions, horrid dangers, and everlasting destruction. 25. God takes pleasure to debase the proud, demolishing their stately houses, overturning their families, and ruining their honours and wealth: but he will preserve poor widows who have no helper in their rights, against every insolent or covetous invader. 26. The Lord abhors the thoughts, inclinations, purposes, and contrivances of wicked men: but the hearts of the godly being purged by his blood and Spirit, their prayers, and edifying instructions, advices, and reproofs are pleasant to him and his people. 27. They who hasten to be rich, and with anxious care labour for worldly enjoyments, not only harass all around them, but weary themselves, and plague their families, and bring the curse of God on what they have: but he who hates bribes and other unlawful methods of gain, shall have a competent portion of the good things of this world, and comfort and prosperity in it. 28. A good man avoids answering before he is asked, and studies to say nothing but what is pure, profitable, suitable, and seasonable: but a wicked man is apt, in a rash and forward manner, to speak what is unsuitable, sinful, and hurtful. 29. The Lord utterly dislikes wicked persons, and refuses to regard their prayers: but he is ever willing and ready to hear the prayers of the godly offered to him in faith, and is their sure and present help in time of work or warfare. 30. It is a remarkable pleasure to behold the manifold works of God: and the good report of a given and offered Saviour, and of reconciliation to God and eternal salvation, or even a good report of ourselves or neighbours, affords inward satisfaction and comfort. 31. They who with pleasure listen to and improve wholesome instructions, tending to promote their spiritual or eternal life, increase in wisdom, and shall be qualified to give good instruction to others. 32. Such as refuse or contemn proper instructions or reproofs undervalue their own soul, neglect the means of its safety, and, for the sake of some outward and perishing thing, wilfully ruin it: but he who delights to be taught and admonished, increases in solid, soul-comforting, and saving knowledge, wisdom, and prudence. 33. A holy awe of God, and real regard to his way, disposes us to the study of true wisdom and knowledge, and is a certain mark of it; and humility and patient submission in a low condition is the best preparation for honour and preferment.

Ver. 6. In the house of the righteous is much treasure. That is, (1) Christ the righteous, who has hid in him 'all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge;' (2) the righteous, through faith in Christ, having all the treasures of divine wisdom, faith, hope, charity, communicated by his Word and Spirit; (3) of temporal treasures, the righteous always possesses contentment, which is inseparable from godliness, and is 'great gain;' while he possesses that industry of hand which arises from freedom of spirit, and is the fruitful parent of all earthly prosperity. C.

Ver. 8. The prayer of the upright is his delight. 'The upright' are those who are not ashamed to look up with 'boldness to the throne of grace for grace to help them;' and their prayer a 'delight to the Lord,' because it renounces all the righteousness of the creature, and altogether relies upon the 'righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ.' C.

Ver. 27. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house. By needless and distracting cares and toils, by transfusing the spirit of covetousness into his children, and by all the retributive consequences of that chicanery and oppression which covetousness is sure to generate, and Providence sooner or later to punish. C.