Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary

Proverbs 15

Commentaries

Proverbs 15:1 A right cause will be better pleaded with meekness than with passion. Nothing stirs up anger like grievous words. MHBC 644.1

Proverbs 15:2 He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others. MHBC 644.2

Proverbs 15:3 Secret sins, services, and sorrows, are under God's eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners. MHBC 644.3

Proverbs 15:4 A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance. MHBC 644.4

Proverbs 15:5 If instruction is despised, reprove men rather than suffer them to go on undisturbed in the way to ruin. MHBC 644.5

Proverbs 15:6 The wealth of worldly men increases their fears and suspicions, adds strength to their passions, and renders the fear of death more distressing. MHBC 644.6

Proverbs 15:7 We use knowledge aright when we disperse it; but the heart of the foolish has nothing to disperse that is good. MHBC 644.7

Proverbs 15:8,9 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. MHBC 644.8

Proverbs 15:10 He that hates reproof shall perish in his sins, since he would not be parted from them. MHBC 644.9

Proverbs 15:11 There is nothing that can be hid from the eyes of God, not even man's thoughts. MHBC 644.10

Proverbs 15:12 A scorner cannot bear to reflect seriously within his own heart. MHBC 644.11

Proverbs 15:13 A gloomy, impatient, unthankful spirit, springing from pride and undue attachment to worldly objects, renders a man uneasy to himself and others. MHBC 644.12

Proverbs 15:14 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. MHBC 644.13

Proverbs 15:15 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. MHBC 644.14

Proverbs 15:16,17 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. MHBC 644.15

Proverbs 15:18 He that is slow to anger, not only prevents strife, but appeases it, if kindled. MHBC 644.16

Proverbs 15:19 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. MHBC 644.17

Proverbs 15:20 Those who treat an aged mother or a father with contempt or neglect, show their own folly. MHBC 644.18

Proverbs 15:21 Such as are truly wise, study that their thoughts, words, and actions should be regular, sincere, and holy. MHBC 644.19

Proverbs 15:22 If men will not take time and pains to deliberate, they are not likely to bring any thing to pass. MHBC 644.20

Proverbs 15:23 Wisdom is needed to suit our discourse to the occasions. MHBC 644.21

Proverbs 15:24 A good man sets his affections on things above; his way leads directly thither. MHBC 644.22

Proverbs 15:25 Pride is the ruin of multitudes. But those who are in affliction God will support. MHBC 644.23

Proverbs 15:26 The thoughts of wicked men offend Him who knows the heart. MHBC 644.24

Proverbs 15:27 The covetous man lets none of his family have rest or enjoyment. And greediness of gain often tempts to projects that bring ruin. MHBC 644.25

Proverbs 15:28 A good man is proved to be a wise man by this; he governs his tongue well. MHBC 644.26

Proverbs 15:29 God sets himself at a distance from those who set him at defiance. MHBC 644.27

Proverbs 15:30 How delightful to the humbled soul to hear the good report of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ! MHBC 644.28

Proverbs 15:31 Faithful, friendly reproofs help spiritual life, and lead to eternal life. MHBC 644.29

Proverbs 15:32 Sinners undervalue their own souls; therefore they prefer the body before the soul, and wrong the soul to please the body. MHBC 644.30

Proverbs 15:33 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. MHBC 644.31