Proverbs 15:4

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Proverbs 15:4

v. 4. A wholesome tongue, literally, "gentleness of tongue," is a tree of life, that is, a person who, in true humility, uses gentle, pacifying, soothing speech will do his share toward a better appreciation and use of life, will cause people with whom he comes into contact to enjoy it more properly; but perverseness therein, that is, transgression with the tongue, its abuse for the purpose of stirring up contention, is a breach in the spirit, it wounds the spirit of men, it causes... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Proverbs 15:1-33

ε) With reference to various other relations and callings in life, especially within the sphere of the religious lifeChap. 151 A soft answer turneth away wrath,but a bitter word stirreth up anger.2 The tongue of the wise maketh knowledge attractive,but the mouth of fools poureth forth folly.3 The eyes of Jehovah are in every place,beholding the wicked and the good.4 A mild tongue is a tree of life,but transgression therewith is a wound in the spirit.5 The fool despiseth... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Proverbs 15:1-17

Kind Words and Glad Hearts Proverbs 15:1-17 A soft answer; the tongue of the wise; a wholesome tongue; the lips of the wise; the prayer of the upright -these keywords touch one of the greatest departments of human influence. If we can rule our speech, or at least hand over our tongue and lips to the keeping of God’s Spirit, what a world of trouble we should save ourselves and others! And God would keep watch over us and for us. See Proverbs 15:3 , r.v. Notice, also, the inducements to a... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 15:1-33

Verse Proverbs 15:11. This is a simple method of drawing attention to God's perfect knowledge of all the deepest and hidden things. If that which is most full of mystery to us is perfectly known to Him, how well He must know our hearts. Verse Proverbs 15:23. This proverb sets forth the satisfaction of being able to say the right thing at the right moment. The explanation of its first part is found in the phrase in the second, "in due season." Verse Proverbs 15:24. A recognition of the two... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 15:1-33

A Collection Of Solomon’s Proverbs (Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 29:27 ). Solomon’s presentation of The Book of Proverbs has followed the pattern of much Wisdom literature. This commenced with the initial heading detailing the details of the author and his purpose in writing (Proverbs 1:1-7), continued with a Prologue which laid the foundation for what was to follow (Proverbs 1:8 to Proverbs 9:18), and was then followed by the body of the work introduced by one or more subheadings. In Solomon’s... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 15:4-13

Wise Words, Reproof And Firm Discipline Uphold The Righteous, Giving Them Suitable Reward, Whilst The Unrighteous Reject Reproof, And Suffer The Consequences (Proverbs 15:4-13 ). In this subsection there is a strong emphasis on wise words, reproof and firm discipline (correction) which affect the righteous. Thus we have the healing tongue in Proverbs 15:4; the father’s correction in Proverbs 15:5; the reproof that produces shrewdness in Proverbs 15:5; the lips of the wise dispersing knowledge... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 15:1-33

Proverbs 15. This chapter makes no new departure. Proverbs concerning the moral government of the world again occupy the chief place. One ( Proverbs 15:11) is noteworthy as showing an extended conception of the sphere of God’ s government. Earlier Heb. religion regarded Sheol as outside the kingdom of God; there the dead do not praise or remember Him. We have also some more psychological proverbs dealing with the value of cheerfulness. Proverbs 15:2 . uttereth aright: paraphrase rather than... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 15:4

A wholesome tongue, which uttereth sound, and comfortable, and useful counsels, is a tree of life; is greatly useful to preserve the present life, and to promote the spiritual and eternal life, both of the speaker and hearers. Perverseness therein, all sorts of false or corrupt speeches, is a breach in the spirit; disturbs and wounds, and ofttimes corrupts and destroys, the spirits or souls, both of the speaker and hearers. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Proverbs 15:3-5

CRITICAL NOTES.—Proverbs 15:3. Beholding, rather “watching,” “observing” (so Stuart, Miller, and Delitzsch). Proverbs 15:4. Whole-some, “gentle,” “soft,” perverseness or “transgression,” a breach, “a crushing,” “a wounding.” MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 15:3DIVINE INTELLIGENCEI. The Eternal has a perfect knowledge of all places. The sun, in its meridian height, can only penetrate half the globe at the same time, and even then there are deep valleys and caves of the earth, and ocean beds where... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Proverbs 15:1-33

Chapter 15Fifteen. I love this first one here.A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger ( Proverbs 15:1 ).How oftentimes a person comes just raging and a soft answer turns away wrath. If you rage back at them, then get out the gloves, you know, because you're soon going to be going at it. But a soft answer, how it can just mellow out a situation. Oh God, help us to respond with soft answers rather than with grievous words which only tend to stir up the whole scene.The... read more

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