A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
Parallel Translations
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A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
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A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
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A wrathful man stirreth up discord; but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Cross-references (17)
Passages linked to Proverbs 15:18 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Proverbs 26:21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
- Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
- Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
- Proverbs 14:29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
- Ecclesiastes 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
- James 1:19-20 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.
- Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
- Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
- Proverbs 28:25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
- James 3:14-16 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
- Genesis 13:8-9 Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives. Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”
- Judges 8:1-3 The men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you treated us this way, that you didn’t call us when you went to fight with Midian?” They rebuked him sharply. He said to them, “What have I now done in comparison with you? Isn’t the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? God has delivered into your hand the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb! What was I able to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger was abated toward him when he had said that.
- 1 Samuel 25:24-44 She fell at his feet, and said, “On me, my lord, on me be the blame! Please let your servant speak in your ears. Hear the words of your servant. Please don’t let my lord pay attention to this worthless fellow, Nabal; for as his name is, so is he. Nabal is his name, and folly is with him; but I, your servant, didn’t see my lord’s young men, whom you sent. Now therefore, my lord, as Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, since Yahweh has withheld you from blood guiltiness, and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now therefore let your enemies, and those who seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. Now this present which your servant has brought to my lord, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord. Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For Yahweh will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord fights Yahweh’s battles. Evil will not be found in you all your days. Though men may rise up to pursue you, and to seek your soul, yet the soul of my lord will be bound in the bundle of life with Yahweh your God. He will sling out the souls of your enemies, as from the hollow of a sling. It will come to pass, when Yahweh has done to my lord according to all the good that he has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you prince over Israel, that this shall be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. When Yahweh has dealt well with my lord, then remember your servant.” David said to Abigail, “Blessed is Yahweh, the God of Israel, who sent you today to meet me! Blessed is your discretion, and blessed are you, who have kept me today from blood guiltiness, and from avenging myself with my own hand. For indeed, as Yahweh, the God of Israel, lives, who has withheld me from harming you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, surely there wouldn’t have been left to Nabal by the morning light so much as one who urinates on a wall.” So David received from her hand that which she had brought him. Then he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. Behold, I have listened to your voice, and have granted your request.” Abigail came to Nabal; and behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king. Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunk. Therefore she told him nothing until the morning light. In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. About ten days later, Yahweh struck Nabal, so that he died. When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed is Yahweh, who has pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from evil. Yahweh has returned the evildoing of Nabal on his own head.” David sent and spoke concerning Abigail, to take her to himself as wife. When David’s servants had come to Abigail to Carmel, they spoke to her, saying, “David has sent us to you, to take you to him as wife.” She arose, and bowed herself with her face to the earth, and said, “Behold, your servant is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” Abigail hurried, and arose, and rode on a donkey, with five ladies of hers who followed her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife. David also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they both became his wives. Now Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Palti the son of Laish, who was of Gallim.
- 2 Samuel 19:43–20:1 The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, “We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more claim to David than you. Why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?” The words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. There happened to be there a wicked fellow, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet, and said, “We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, Israel!”
- Proverbs 25:15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
- Acts 6:1-5 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (11 sources)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Pro 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but…
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 -
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“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.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Stirreth up strife, because he is very apt both…
Stirreth up strife, because he is very apt both to give and to take all occasions of contention.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain Here is, 1. Passion the great make-bate. Thence come…
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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain A wrathful man stirreth up strife,.... A man of…
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 Pro 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
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"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.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Charles Bridges 1846 · Public Domain 18 A wrathful man†a stirreth up strife: but he…
18 A wrathful man†a stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
This Proverb requires no explanation. But observe the principles of hatred and love, contrasted in active exercise. Some persons make it their occupation to sit by the fire, to feed and fan the flame, lest it be extinguished. An useful and friendly employment, were it a fire to warm. But when it is an injurious, consuming, and destructive element, it would seem difficult to discover the motive of these incendiaries (Pro 10:12 ; Pro 16:27-28 ; Pro 26:21 ), did we not read, that "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, wickedness, an evil eye, pride, foolishness." (Mar 7:21-22 .)
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What then is the Christian’s exercise? Instead of stirring up, to appease, strife; to bring water, not fuel, to the fire; by "a soft answer to turn away wrath;"† by a yielding spirit to melt, subdue, and bring peace. (Gen 13:7-9 . Ecc 10:4 .) Let me remember, that I owe my very salvation to this attribute, slow to anger. (Psa 103:8 . 2Pe 3:15 .) And shall I not endeavour to imbue my profession with this lovely adorning, and to "be a follower of God, as his dear child, walking in love"? (Eph 5:1-2 .) Will not this temper of the gospel secure my earthly enjoyment of godliness? (Mat 5:5 .) Will it not also seal my title as a child of God? (Mat 5:9 .)
Footnotes:
†a ’A man of wrath. Heb. constantly indulging it; unwilling to put it away; a firebrand, Vir flagrantiæ.’ — Schultens. Compare Pro 29:22 .
†1 Pro 15:1. References.
Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain (Compare Pro 14:29; Pro 16:32).
(Compare Pro 14:29; Pro 16:32).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 18. A wrathful man — Hebrew, a man of…
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.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 18. strife … strife] Contention … strife, R.V., to…
18. strife … strife] Contention … strife, R.V., to indicate that the Heb. words are different.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain A wrathful man stirreth up strife (contention). This clause…
A wrathful man stirreth up strife (contention). This clause recurs almost identically in Pro_29:22. (comp. also Pro_26:21 and Pro_28:25) He that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. (Pro_14:29) In the former clause the word for "contention" is madon, in the latter "strife" is rib, which often means "law dispute." It requires two to make a quarrel, and where one keeps his temper and will not be provoked, anger must subside. Vulgate, "He who is patient soothes aroused quarrels (suscitatas)." Septuagint, "A long suffering man appeases even a coming battle." "Regina rerum omnium patientia.
The LXX here introduces a second rendering of the verse: "A long suffering man will quench suits; but the impious rather awaketh them.
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Vers. 18-23. Facets of moral truth.
Again flashing upon us, mostly in the light of contrast. As, indeed, from precious stones and false paste, up to the highest truths of the spirit, we can know nothing truly except by the comparison of its opposite.
I HASTE OF TEMPER AND LONG SUFFERING. (Ver. 18) Quarrelsomeness, irritable words (would that we could recall them!), a thousand stabs and wounds to the heart of our friend and to our own, the result of the former. For the latter, read the exquisite descriptions of the New Testament wherever the word "long suffering" occurs, and see the matchless beauty, and learn to covet the possession of that character the impress of God in human nature and those best gifts which belong to "the more excellent way.
II IDLENESS AND HONESTY. (Ver. 19) The way of the former beset with difficulty. Lazy people take the most trouble, in the affairs of the soul as in everything. The honest path is the only easy path in the long run. We must remember that it is a long run we have to pass over, and must make our choice accordingly. Life is no mere picnic or excursion. For amusement of the leisure hour we may strike into a by-path, but never lose sight of the high road of faith.
III PARENTAL JOY AND SORROW. (Ver. 20) On the whole, these are one of the best indices of a man"s character. A truly good parent may not understand his child, as Mary misunderstood Jesus; but at the bottom of the heart, when there is filial goodness there is parental sympathy and approval.
IV SPURIOUS JOY AND QUIET PERSISTENCE IN RIGHT. (Ver. 21) This is a good contrast. The fool is not content with saying or doing the foolish thing; he must needs chuckle over it and make a boast of it, often gaining applause for his mere audacity. But the man of true sense is content to forego the momentary triumph, and goes on his way. Ever to forsake the way we know to be right, even in momentary hilarity, brings its after sting.
V FAILURE AND SUCCESS IN COUNSELS. (Ver. 22) Wild tumultuous passion causes the former; and calm deliberation, the comparison and collision of many minds, brings about sound and stable policy. To lean upon one"s own weak will, to act in haste or under impulse, how seldom can a prosperous issue come of this! See how individuals rush into lawsuits, nations into war, speculators into bankruptcy, all for want of consultation and good advice. We need the impetus of enthusiasm, not less the direction of cool prudence; if one or the other factor be omitted, disaster must ensue.
VI SEASONABLE WORDS. (Ver. 23) We must consider not only the matter, but the manner, of our utterances. This requires "a mind at leisure from itself" to seize the happy opportunity, to refrain from introducing the jarring note, to turn the conversation when it threatens to strike on breakers. Oh, happy art! admirable and enviable in those that possess it, but cultivable by all who have the gentle heart. We cannot conceive that the conversations of Christ were ever other than thus seasonable. J.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain v. 18. A wrathful man, one unable to keep…
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.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 15:18 Controlling one’s anger is a sign of wisdom…
15:18 Controlling one’s anger is a sign of wisdom (see also Jas 1:19-20).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.