Proverbs 15:23

23 A man has joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word at the right time, how good it is!

Proverbs 15:23 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 15:23

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth
When his advice is asked, and he gives good and wholesome counsel, and that being taken succeeds; it is a pleasure to a man that he is capable of assisting his friend, and doing him service, or a common good, whether it be in things natural, civil, or religious; when his speech is with salt, seasoned with grace, and he knows how he ought to answer every man; when that which is good proceeds from him, and is to the use of edifying, and ministers grace to the hearers, and is acceptable to them; when with readiness he gives an answer to every man that asks him a reason of the hope that is in him, with meekness and fear, ( Colossians 3:6 ) ( Ephesians 4:29 ) ( 1 Peter 3:15 ) ; and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]?
whether by way of advice and counsel to such who stand in need of it, or of exhortation and instruction to those that want it, or of comfort to those that are distressed; such is a word of promise spoken and applied by the Spirit of God to the hearts of his people in a time of need; and such is the Gospel of peace, pardon, righteousness, and salvation, as spoken by Christ and his ministers to weary and wounded souls; it cannot be well and fully expressed how sweet, how good, how suitable, as well as seasonable, it is: see ( Proverbs 25:11 ) ( Isaiah 50:4 ) .

Proverbs 15:23 In-Context

21 Foolish behaviour is joy to the unwise; but a man of good sense makes his way straight.
22 Where there are no wise suggestions, purposes come to nothing; but by a number of wise guides they are made certain.
23 A man has joy in the answer of his mouth: and a word at the right time, how good it is!
24 Acting wisely is the way of life, guiding a man away from the underworld.
25 The house of the man of pride will be uprooted by the Lord, but he will make safe the heritage of the widow.
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