Proverbs 15:7

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the minds of fools.

Proverbs 15:7 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:7

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge
Scatter it about for the benefit of others; they are communicative and diffusive of it unto others, that fruit may abound to their account: so the first ministers of the Gospel diffused the savour of the knowledge of Christ and his Gospel in every place; their words went into all the earth, and their sound to the end of the world; and so every Gospel minister will speak according to the oracles of God, and according to the abilities and measure of the gift which he has received; and to the utmost of his power feeds souls with knowledge and understanding; but the heart of the foolish [doth] not so;
does not disperse knowledge, for he has no solid substantial knowledge in him: or, "the heart of the foolish [is] not right" F24; it is full of folly and wickedness: or "the heart of the foolish [does] not [disperse that which is] right" F25; true and right things, and the knowledge of them; but, on the contrary, as in ( Proverbs 15:2 ) , "pours out foolishness".


FOOTNOTES:

F24 (Nk al) "non erit rectum", Pagninus, Baynus; "non est rectum", Piscator, Mercerus.
F25 "Spargit quod abest a recto", Junius & Tremellius, Amama; "eventilant non rectum", Schultens, Cocceius.

Proverbs 15:7 In-Context

5 A fool despises a parent's instruction, but the one who heeds admonition is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the minds of fools.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.