Proverbs 15:1 kjv
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 nkjv
A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 niv
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 esv
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 nlt
A gentle answer deflects anger,
but harsh words make tempers flare.
Proverbs 15 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Pr 25:15 | By long forbearance a prince is persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone. | Gentle speech can overcome strong resistance. |
| Pr 16:21 | The wise in heart will be called discerning, and pleasant words increase persuasiveness. | Gracious speech enhances influence. |
| Pr 16:24 | Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. | Wholesome words bring healing and refreshment. |
| Pr 12:18 | There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. | Thoughtless speech inflicts pain, wisdom heals. |
| Pr 10:32 | The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked speaks what is perverse. | Righteous speech is fitting, wicked speech distorts. |
| Pr 18:21 | Death and life are in the power of the tongue... | Words hold power over outcomes. |
| Pr 15:18 | A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. | Anger provokes, patience soothes. |
| Pr 29:11 | A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. | Wise restrain emotions, fools express all. |
| Pr 14:17 | A quick-tempered man acts foolishly... | Rash temper leads to foolish actions. |
| Pr 29:22 | A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, and a furious man commits many transgressions. | Uncontrolled anger leads to conflict and sin. |
| Pr 22:24-25 | Make no friendship with a man given to anger... lest you learn his ways... | Avoid angry people to prevent adopting their ways. |
| Pr 16:32 | He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty... | Self-control over anger is a great strength. |
| Pr 25:28 | A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. | Lack of self-control makes one vulnerable. |
| Pr 26:20-21 | For lack of wood the fire goes out... a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. | Removing contentious speech ends quarrels. |
| Col 4:6 | Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. | Speech should be tasteful and wise in response. |
| Eph 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up... | Speak only what is beneficial and edifying. |
| Jam 1:19-20 | ...let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. | Control speech and anger for righteousness. |
| Jam 3:17 | But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason... | Heavenly wisdom promotes peace and gentleness. |
| 1 Pet 3:15 | ...always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. | Share faith with gentleness and reverence. |
| Tit 3:2 | ...to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing perfect courtesy toward all people. | Be gracious and respectful to all people. |
| Mt 5:9 | Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. | Peacemakers embody divine character. |
| Lk 6:45 | ...the good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good... | Words reveal the condition of one's heart. |
| Pr 20:3 | It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling. | Wise people avoid contention; fools engage in it. |
Proverbs 15 verses
Proverbs 15 1 Meaning
A gentle and mild response possesses the remarkable power to diffuse and dissipate intense anger, thereby averting potential conflict. Conversely, harsh, hurtful, or severe words inevitably ignite fury, exacerbate tensions, and provoke further strife. This proverb teaches that intentional kindness and considerate communication are fundamental to fostering peace and understanding, while aggressive or rash language invariably escalates discord and resentment.
Proverbs 15 1 Context
Proverbs 15 is a rich tapestry of contrasts, often juxtaposing the paths of wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, and their respective consequences, with a particular focus on the profound impact of words and attitudes. The verse sits at the very beginning of a chapter that consistently emphasizes the tongue's power, illustrating how words originate from the heart and shape relationships, influence outcomes, and even define a person's character before God. The historical and cultural context for the original audience, living in ancient Israel, placed a high value on community harmony and interpersonal wisdom. Confrontational or abrasive speech was disruptive to social cohesion, whereas measured and gentle communication was seen as a sign of discernment and strength, essential for navigating everyday life, resolving disputes, and maintaining family and community bonds in an honor-shame society. This proverb, like many others, provides practical, timeless guidance for managing human interaction and fostering peaceful coexistence, directly reflecting divine wisdom for earthly living.
Proverbs 15 1 Word analysis
- A soft (רַךְ - rak): Signifies tender, gentle, or mild. It describes a response not weak in resolve, but gentle in its manner, humble in its presentation, and empathetic in its tone, aiming to calm rather than contend.
- answer (מַעֲנֶה - maʿaneh): Refers specifically to a spoken reply or response given in a dialogue or argument. It's the counter-utterance to what has been said or provoked.
- turns away (יָשִׁיב - yashiv, from שׁוּב - shuv): Literally means to turn back, return, or cause to return. In this context, it implies averting, deflecting, or causing to withdraw. It depicts anger as something that can be redirected or made to recede, like turning a flow.
- wrath (חֵמָה - ḥemah): Denotes hot, intense anger, often uncontrollable rage, and can even refer to destructive venom. It emphasizes the heated, consuming nature of fury.
- but (וְ - ve): A conjunction serving as a strong adversative, signaling a direct contrast or opposite consequence to the preceding statement.
- grievous (עֶצֶב - ʿetsev): Implies pain, sorrow, hurt, or labor. When applied to words, it means they are harsh, hurtful, sharp, afflicting, or causing distress and trouble.
- words (דְּבָר - devar, from דָּבָר - davar): General term for speech, utterances, or spoken communication, encompassing both their content and their delivery.
- stir up (יַעֲלֶה - yaʿaleh, from עָלָה - ʿalah): Literally means to ascend or cause to rise up. In this context, it signifies kindling, provoking, or actively bringing forth anger, as if fanning a flame.
- anger (אָף - aph): Primarily refers to the nose or nostrils, used metonymically for anger, especially when the nostrils flare in intense emotion. It represents a heated and strong emotional response, though often less intense or prolonged than ḥemah.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "A soft answer turns away wrath": This phrase highlights the profound calming effect of a gentle, empathetic, or humble verbal response. It suggests a strategic and wise choice of words that actively de-escalates aggressive emotions and avoids conflict, redirecting hostile energy into peaceful channels.
- "grievous words stir up anger": This contrasting phrase depicts the counterproductive and destructive outcome of using harsh, painful, or abrasive language. Such words do not resolve but instead incite, irritate, and ignite the passions of another, creating tension and provoking hostility rather than reconciliation.
Proverbs 15 1 Bonus section
The distinction between "wrath" (ḥemah) and "anger" (aph) subtly deepens the proverb. Ḥemah often suggests a more volatile, passionate, and potentially destructive rage, whereas aph refers to a more general state of irritation or indignation. Thus, a soft answer can diffuse even extreme rage, while grievous words can escalate mere irritation into fiery wrath. This principle transcends mere human interaction, reflecting God's own nature (slow to anger) and the wisdom He offers for a harmonious life. It reminds believers that cultivating a heart that produces gentle speech aligns with the Spirit of Christ, who was gentle and lowly in heart, offering rest rather than strife. The proverb speaks to both external responses and internal heart attitudes; a soft answer stems from a heart free of bitterness or pride.
Proverbs 15 1 Commentary
Proverbs 15:1 distills a foundational truth about interpersonal communication and conflict management: the tone and content of our words are potent instruments. A "soft answer" is not necessarily weak or compromising of truth, but rather indicates a delivery marked by humility, empathy, and gentleness. This approach acknowledges the other's emotions while refusing to mirror hostility, effectively "turning away" or disarming aggressive wrath like water on fire. Conversely, "grievous words" are those uttered with harshness, disrespect, or cutting intent; they act as fuel, igniting and intensifying already simmering anger into overt conflict. The proverb therefore champions gracious communication as a wise and powerful means to achieve peace, reconciliation, and understanding, revealing that true strength lies not in retort but in controlled and compassionate speech, demonstrating self-mastery and godly wisdom. Practically, this means pausing before reacting, considering the impact of one's words, and choosing to respond with grace even when provoked.