Book of Proverbs
Chapter 25:15-28
25:15 – The power of patience and kindness
Even a prince can be persuaded by patience and persistence. A soft answer can break
through the hardest resistance. Wise women know this from dealing with their husbands.
A soft answer also diffuses an angry person (Prov. 15:1). We can learn from the example
of Gideon who calmed the anger of the Ephraimites (Jdg. 8:1-3) and Abigail who softened
David’s anger (1 Sam. 25:23-35).
25:16 – The need for moderation
Honey represents natural sweetness. It was the sweetest substance known in Bible times.
This verse reminds us that too much of a good thing can be bad for us (vs. 27). We should
satisfy our needs yet not indulge our wants. We can enjoy good things without excess.
25:17 – The reasonable limits of hospitality
Like the previous verse, too much company can make you sick. We must not wear out our
welcome. If we go to a neighbor’s house too often or if we stay too long he will grow tired
of us. Someone said that house guests are like fish; they begin to stink after a few days.
25:18 – The destructive power of false testimony
God hates a false witness (6:19). Just as a maul (club), sword, and arrow can destroy the
body, lying can destroy someone’s reputation beyond repair. False testimony can crush
like a club, divide at close range like a sword, or pierce from a distance like an arrow. A
tongue two inches long can kill a man six feet tall.
25:19 – The consequences of misplaced trust
We rely on our teeth for eating and on our feet for walking. Trusting an unreliable person
in a critical time is like trying to eat with a broken tooth or walk on a broken foot. Faith is
no better than its object. The greatest ability of any person is dependability. For a contrast
see Prov. 17:17.
25:20 – The harm of an inconsiderate person
Taking away a garment from someone in the cold will cause him to freeze. Pouring
vinegar on nitre (soda) can cause an explosive reaction. In the same way a light-hearted
person only makes matters worse for someone who is grieving. Cheerfulness is a good
thing, but it must be shared appropriately. There is a time and place for everything (see
Eccl. 3:4). We should weep with them that weep (Rom. 12:15).
25:21-22 – The responsibility to love our enemies
Both Jesus and Paul taught this principle (Mt. 5:44; Rom. 12:20-21). Love for our enemies
calls for action not just words. The reference to hot coals describes the softening and
humbling that our enemies will experience as we show kindness. The way to turn an
enemy into a friend is to act toward him in a friendly manner. The story is told of a man
who went to the doctor and discovered that he had rabies. He took out a pen and began to
write on a small pad. The doctor thought the man was making out his last will and
testament and said, “This doesn’t mean that you’re going to die.” “I know that,” he said,
“I’m making out a list of people I’m going to bite.” We can choose to respond three ways:
1) repay good for good and evil for evil (the natural response); 2) repay evil for good (the
devil’s response); 3) repay good for evil (the divine or supernatural response). God’s
people should respond the third way.
25:23 – The sure way to stop slander
This may refer to a person who is being slandered or to a person who is listening to slander
about someone else. We should strongly resent and reject anyone who slanders or gossips
about others. Our face will show our righteous anger and will drive the backbiter away.
We assist the devil and his crowd when we listen to slander and gossip. Don’t let your ears
be dump trucks for garbage. Matthew Henry said, “Slanders would not be so readily
spoken as they are if they were not readily heard.”
25:24 – The burden of living in an unlivable house
This statement is repeated from Prov. 21:9. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines
so he probably knew this from experience. The corner of the housetop refers to the top
level (rooftop) of a house that was used like a modern patio. A man’s house can either be
his castle or his prison depending on the atmosphere. A man may live in a mansion (“a
wide house”) and have no peace. There is a big difference between a house and a home.
A brawling woman constantly wants to argue and stir up trouble. This verse ought to serve
as a warning against being unequally yoked with an unbeliever (2 Cor. 6:14).
25:25 – Good news brings life and refreshment
Communication was by word of mouth or hand delivery. There was no mail, phone, or
email. News in the ancient world traveled slowly, so when good news finally arrived it
was exciting. This verse applies to the good news of the Gospel wherever it is shared.
25:26 – Compromising our character is costly
This verse describes deep disappointment: (NIV) “Like a muddied spring or a polluted
well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.” In a dry land sources of water were
a matter of life and death. To discover a spring or well only to find it contaminated was a
crushing disappointment. When a person compromises his character and tarnishes his
testimony he disappoints people who look to him as an example. He is like a polluted
fountain or spring that is contaminated and the water unfit for drinking.
25:27 – Self-promotion is self-defeating
Just as eating too much honey is not good (25:16), giving too much attention to our
reputation is not good. We should always protect our reputation, but we must not promote
it. A person who is all wrapped up in himself makes a very small package.
25:28 – The importance of self-control
A person without self-control is like an ancient city that has no defense because its walls
are broken down. Self-control is our chief defense against enemy attack. Self-control is a
fruit of the Spirit (temperance, Gal. 5:22-23) and is a necessity. We need to have control
over our thoughts, emotions, appetites, actions, and reactions. For the opposite of this
verse see Prov. 16:32. Self-control brings security and stability to our lives. The story is
told of Alexander whose dear friend, a general in his army, was drunk and began to make
fun of the ruler in front of his men. In a rage Alexander grabbed a spear and hurled it at his
friend. He only intended to scare him, but the spear pierced the man’s body and took his
life. Alexander’s fit of anger killed his friend. Alexander the Great was able to conquer
the known world, but he couldn’t control himself. We may need to rebuild the wall of selfcontrol as Nehemiah and his men rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem.
Book of Proverbs
Chapter 25:15-28
25:15 – __________________________________________________________________
Even a prince can be persuaded by patience and persistence. A soft answer can break
through the hardest resistance. Wise women know this from dealing with their husbands.
A soft answer also diffuses an angry person (Prov. 15:1). We can learn from the example
of Gideon who calmed the anger of the Ephraimites (Jdg. 8:1-3) and Abigail who softened
David’s anger (1 Sam. 25:23-35).
25:16 – __________________________________________________________________
Honey represents natural sweetness. It was the sweetest substance known in Bible times.
This verse reminds us that too much of a good thing can be bad for us (vs. 27). We should
satisfy our needs yet not indulge our wants. We can enjoy good things without excess.
25:17 – __________________________________________________________________
Like the previous verse, too much company can make you sick. We must not wear out our
welcome. If we go to a neighbor’s house too often or if we stay too long he will grow tired
of us. Someone said that house guests are like fish; they begin to stink after a few days.
25:18 – __________________________________________________________________
God hates a false witness (6:19). Just as a maul (club), sword, and arrow can destroy the
body, lying can destroy someone’s reputation beyond repair. False testimony can crush
like a club, divide at close range like a sword, or pierce from a distance like an arrow. A
tongue two inches long can kill a man six feet tall.
25:19 – __________________________________________________________________
We rely on our teeth for eating and on our feet for walking. Trusting an unreliable person
in a critical time is like trying to eat with a broken tooth or walk on a broken foot. Faith is
no better than its object. The greatest ability of any person is dependability. For a contrast
see Prov. 17:17.
25:20 – __________________________________________________________________
Taking away a garment from someone in the cold will cause him to freeze. Pouring
vinegar on nitre (soda) can cause an explosive reaction. In the same way a light-hearted
person only makes matters worse for someone who is grieving. Cheerfulness is a good
thing, but it must be shared appropriately. There is a time and place for everything (see
Eccl. 3:4). We should weep with them that weep (Rom. 12:15).
25:21-22 – _______________________________________________________________
Both Jesus and Paul taught this principle (Mt. 5:44; Rom. 12:20-21). Love for our enemies
calls for action not just words. The reference to hot coals describes the softening and
humbling that our enemies will experience as we show kindness. The way to turn an
enemy into a friend is to act toward him in a friendly manner. The story is told of a man
who went to the doctor and discovered that he had rabies. He took out a pen and began to
write on a small pad. The doctor thought the man was making out his last will and
testament and said, “This doesn’t mean that you’re going to die.” “I know that,” he said,
“I’m making out a list of people I’m going to bite.” We can choose to respond three ways:
1) repay good for good and evil for evil (the natural response); 2) repay evil for good (the
devil’s response); 3) repay good for evil (the divine or supernatural response). God’s
people should respond the third way.
25:23 – __________________________________________________________________
This may refer to a person who is being slandered or to a person who is listening to slander
about someone else. We should strongly resent and reject anyone who slanders or gossips
about others. Our face will show our righteous anger and will drive the backbiter away.
We assist the devil and his crowd when we listen to slander and gossip. Don’t let your ears
be dump trucks for garbage. Matthew Henry said, “Slanders would not be so readily
spoken as they are if they were not readily heard.”
25:24 – __________________________________________________________________
This statement is repeated from Prov. 21:9. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines
so he probably knew this from experience. The corner of the housetop refers to the top
level (rooftop) of a house that was used like a modern patio. A man’s house can either be
his castle or his prison depending on the atmosphere. A man may live in a mansion (“a
wide house”) and have no peace. There is a big difference between a house and a home.
A brawling woman constantly wants to argue and stir up trouble. This verse ought to serve
as a warning against being unequally yoked with an unbeliever (2 Cor. 6:14).
25:25 – __________________________________________________________________
Communication was by word of mouth or hand delivery. There was no mail, phone, or
email. News in the ancient world traveled slowly, so when good news finally arrived it
was exciting. This verse applies to the good news of the Gospel wherever it is shared.
25:26 – __________________________________________________________________
This verse describes deep disappointment: (NIV) “Like a muddied spring or a polluted
well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.” In a dry land sources of water were
a matter of life and death. To discover a spring or well only to find it contaminated was a
crushing disappointment. When a person compromises his character and tarnishes his
testimony he disappoints people who look to him as an example. He is like a polluted
fountain or spring that is contaminated and the water unfit for drinking.
25:27 – __________________________________________________________________
Just as eating too much honey is not good (25:16), giving too much attention to our
reputation is not good. We should always protect our reputation, but we must not promote
it. A person who is all wrapped up in himself makes a very small package.
25:28 – __________________________________________________________________
A person without self-control is like an ancient city that has no defense because its walls
are broken down. Self-control is our chief defense against enemy attack. Self-control is a
fruit of the Spirit (temperance, Gal. 5:22-23) and is a necessity. We need to have control
over our thoughts, emotions, appetites, actions, and reactions. For the opposite of this
verse see Prov. 16:32. Self-control brings security and stability to our lives. The story is
told of Alexander whose dear friend, a general in his army, was drunk and began to make
fun of the ruler in front of his men. In a rage Alexander grabbed a spear and hurled it at his
friend. He only intended to scare him, but the spear pierced the man’s body and took his
life. Alexander’s fit of anger killed his friend. Alexander the Great was able to conquer
the known world, but he couldn’t control himself. We may need to rebuild the wall of selfcontrol as Nehemiah and his men rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem.