Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 15:18

A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife.

18. strife strife ] Contention strife, R.V., to indicate that the Heb. words are different.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Stirreth up strife, because he is very apt both to give and to take all occasions of contention.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

18. (Compare Pro 14:29;Pro 16:32).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

A wrathful man stirreth up strife,…. A man of a wrathful disposition, of a furious spirit, of an angry temper; that is under the power and dominion of such a passion, and indulges it, and takes all opportunities to gratify it; he stirs up strife and contention where there was none, or where it was laid; as a man stirs up coals of fire and raises a flame; see Pr 26:21. He stirs up strife in families, sets one relation against another, and the house in an uproar; he stirs up contentions in neighbourhoods, and sets one friend and neighbour against another, whence proceed quarrels and lawsuits: he stirs up strife in churches, breaks brotherly love, and causes animosities and divisions; he stirs up strife in kingdoms and states, whence come wars and fightings, confusion, and every evil work;

but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife: a man of a quiet and peaceable disposition, possessed of the true grace of charity; who is not easily provoked, longsuffering, bears and endures all things; he allays the heat of anger; he quenches the coals of contention; he calms the storm and makes it quiet, as the word o signifies; he

“mitigates strifes raised,”

as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; he composes differences, reconciles the parties at variance, and makes all hush and still; and so prevents the ill consequences of contention and strife.

o “faciet quiescere”, Pagninus, Montanus; “sedat”, Mercerus, Michaelis; so Junius Tremellius, Piscator, Gejerus “sedabit”, Schultens.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Two proverbs of two different classes of men, each second line of which terminates with a catchword having a similar sound ( , ).

18 A passionate man stirreth up strife,

And one who is slow to anger allayeth contention.

Pro 28:25 and Pro 29:22 are variations of the first line of this proverb. The Pih. occurs only these three times in the phrase , R. , to grind, thus to strike, to irritate, cogn. to (but of a different root from) the verb , to excite, Pro 10:12, and , to set on fire, Pro 26:21, cf. , Pro 6:14. Regarding , vid., Pro 15:1; we call such a man a “hot-head;” but the biblical conception nowhere (except in the Book of Daniel) places the head in connection with spiritual-psychical events ( Psychologie, p. 254). Regarding , vid., Pro 14:29; the lxx (which contains a translation of this proverb, and after it of a variation) translates , i.e., (as the Syr. render it) he suppresses the strife in its origin, so that it does not break out. But both are true: that he who is slow to anger, who does not thus easily permit himself to become angry, allayeth the strife which one enters into with him, or into which he is drawn, and that he prevents the strife, for he places over against provoking, injurious conduct, patient gentleness ( , Ecc 10:4).

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

      18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

      Here is, 1. Passion the great make-bate. Thence come wars and fightings. Anger strikes the fire which sets cities and churches into a flame: A wrathful man, with his peevish passionate reflections, stirs up strife, and sets people together by the ears; he gives occasion to others to quarrel, and takes the occasion that others give, though ever so trifling. When men carry their resentments too far, one quarrel still produces another. 2. Meekness the great peace-maker: He that is slow to anger not only prevents strife, that it be not kindled, but appeases it if it be already kindled, brings water to the flame, unites those again that have fallen out, and by gentle methods brings them to mutual concessions for peace-sake.

Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary

Strife, Cause and Remedy

Verse 18, with Pro 26:21 and Pro 29:22 affirm that an angry man is the primary cause of strife. Such is said to be a fool, (Ecc 7:9) and guilty of acting foolishly (Pro 14:17; Pro 14:19). In contrast, commended is he who is slow to be angry, and capable of making peace, as Abraham did between his herdsmen and those of Lot, Gen 37:7-12. See also Ecc 7:9; Pro 12:20; Mat 5:9; Rom 14:19; Eph 4:26.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

18. A wrathful man Hebrew, a man of wrath.

Slow to anger Long of nostril. (See note on Pro 14:17.) Anger makes quarrels; good nature quells them. Compare Pro 15:1; Pro 26:21; Pro 28:25; Pro 29:22.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

v. 18. A wrathful man, one unable to keep his temper, stirreth up strife, his way of acting is bound to result in quarrels; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife, himself refusing to become excited and always making use of conciliatory speeches.

Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann

A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat. The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Every word, more or less, in these verses is precious, and as I before remarked, if read with reference to the gospel, cannot fail of leading the soul to Jesus. I hope the Reader will not have neglected this all the way as we have come along through these proverbs. He will have found, I am persuaded, if so, upon many occasions, the truth of what we have just read in this chapter, a word spoken in due season, how good is it.

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Pro 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Ver. 18. A wrathful man stirreth up strife. ] Miscet lites, he mingleth strife with his meat, and feeds upon chafing dishes. Such troublesome guests Augustine forbade his table by these two verses written round about it –

“Quisquis amat dictis aliorum rodere famam,

Hanc mensam vetitam noverit esse sibi.” a

This is the worst music at meat that may be. But some men maledictis aluntur, ut venenis capreae. David met with such “hypocritical mockers in feasts,” that most uncivilly “gnashed upon him with their teeth.” Psa 35:16 Hence much mischief many times ariseth. For, as Basil noteth, ira excitat rixam, vixa parit convicia, convicia ictus, ictus vulnera, et saepe vulnera mors consequitur: Wrath stirs up strife, strife causeth ill words, ill words draw on blows, bloodshed, and loss of life sometimes.

But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. ] Is as busy to stint strife, as the other to stir it; brings his buckets to quench this unnatural fire between others, and puts up injuries done to himself, as Jonathan did when his father flung a javelin at him – he rose from table and walked into the field. David also, though provoked, yet he “as a deaf man heard not, and was as one dumb, in whose mouth there was no reproof.” Such peaceable and peacemaking men are blessed of God and highly esteemed of men, when wranglers are to be shunned as perilous persons. “Make no friendship with an angry man,” saith Solomon. Pro 22:24 And they are not much to be regarded that with every little offensive breath, or disgraceful word, are blown up into rage, that will not be laid down without revenge or reparation to cure their credits.

a Possid. in vit.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

strife = contention, or discord.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

Pro 15:18

Pro 15:18

“A wrathful man stirreth up contention; But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”

“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he that is slow to anger quiets contention. One finds the same thought here that is one of the Beatitudes of Jesus, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Mat 5:9).

Pro 15:18. A wrathful man stirs up contention because he wants things stirred up. What a perverted outlook! But men who are slow to anger try to keep things calm. And they are doing what they should. Hot heads and cold hearts often go together. See also Pro 26:21; Pro 29:22. Pulpit Commentary: It requires two to make a quarrel, and where one keeps his temper and will not be provoked, anger must subside.

Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary

Words in Season

Pro 15:18-33

Learn to be slow to anger. This paragraph describes the even temper which is blessed to live with and blessed to die with. Temper is said to be nine-tenths of Christianity. What best proves a Christian is an even temper. It is told of a Japanese gentleman, who was led by a tract to renounce the use of intoxicants and to accept Jesus Christ, that the immediate effect on his temper was so great that his wife, who had often suffered from his uncontrollable fits of anger, said, If this is the result of Christianity, I want to become a Christian. When the missionaries afterward visited the place, they found her and ten other persons awaiting baptism.

As these proverbs suggest, the quickest method of overcoming and eradicating the wrong is, in the power of God, to cultivate the right. By this we shall tread the way of the wise that goeth upward toward the heavenly life of the angels, and we shall be saved from a hell of misery. See Pro 15:24, r.v. Php 3:20; Col 3:1.

Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary

wrathful: Pro 10:12, Pro 26:21, Pro 28:25, Pro 29:22, 2Sa 19:43, 2Sa 20:1, Jam 3:14-16

he: Pro 15:1, Pro 25:15, Gen 13:8, Gen 13:9, Jdg 8:1-3, 1Sa 25:24-44, Ecc 10:4, Mat 5:9, Act 6:1-5, Jam 1:19, Jam 1:20

Reciprocal: Gen 16:6 – Abram Gen 32:20 – I will appease 2Ki 14:10 – why shouldest Pro 14:17 – that Pro 14:29 – slow Pro 16:28 – froward Pro 16:32 – that is Pro 19:11 – deferreth Pro 30:33 – so Ecc 7:8 – the patient Dan 11:25 – stir up Act 6:12 – they stirred Act 17:13 – stirred Phi 2:14 – disputings Tit 1:7 – not soon

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge