Bridges on Proverbs 15:18
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 15:18
 
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18.  A wrathful man† 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 (Chapter 10:12; 16:27, 28; 26:21), did we not read, that “out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, wickedness, an evil eye, pride, foolishness.” (Mark 7:21, 22.)
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. (Genesis 13:7-9. Ecclesiastes 10:4.) Let me remember, that I owe my very salvation to this attribute, slow to anger. (Psalm 103:8. 2 Peter 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”? (Ephesians 5:1, 2.) Will not this temper of the gospel secure my earthly enjoyment of godliness? (Matthew 5:5.) Will it not also seal my title as a child of God? (Ib. verse 9.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
‘A man of wrath. Heb. constantly indulging it; unwilling to put it away; a firebrand, Vir flagrantiae.’ — Schultens. Compare 29:22.
 
 
Proverbs 29:22
22 ¶ An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
 
 
Proverbs 10:12
12 ¶ Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
 
Proverbs 16:27, 28
27 ¶ An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. {An...: Heb. A man of Belial} 28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. {soweth: Heb. sendeth forth}
 
Proverbs 26:21
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
 
 
Mark 7:21, 22
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: {covetousness...: Gr. covetousnesses, wickednesses}
 
 
Footnote:
Verse 1. References.
 
 
 
Genesis 13:7-9
7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. {brethren: Heb. men brethren} 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
 
Ecclesiastes 10:4
4 ¶ If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
 
 
Psalm 103:8
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. {plentious...: Heb. great in mercy}
 
2 Peter 3:15
15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
 
 
Ephesians 5:1, 2
1 ¶ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
 
 
Matthew 5:5
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
 
 
Matthew 5:9
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.