Proverbs 15:7 Commentary and Bible Study

The word ‘disperse’ refers to the work of winnowing grain, throwing it into the air to allow the wind to separate the lighter chaff from the heavier wheat. It is used of any act of scattering as when God scattered his people among the nations in judgment. The one doing the work cannot account for every particle and its final destination because there is simply too much grain being handled by him. It is a picture of the abundance of the edifying influence of the righteous, for what the wise scatter in the proverb is knowledge. It comes as a stream from their hearts as a result of listening to their speech and considering their acts. It is the result of the work of the Spirit in their hearts and of the study of God’s word which has exercised them to discern both good and evil. More proceeds from them than they can be aware of in detail, for there are many implications of their good words and good deeds which even they cannot follow, but from which others around them glean. Their eye is on the Lord and their aim is to please him and in doing so they set up a testimony which instructs all around them, so that it is profitable to be with them.But of the fool, the proverb offers a bare negation. There is little to be said about the fool, for it is quite impossible that something good can come out of a foolish heart, however well dressed up it is. Their hearts lead them to destruction by a series of unrighteous choices, and their influence spreads destruction to all around them. Because they do not know God, they are cut off from the source of life, and whatever knowledge they have is at best only of the things of this world which is passing away. They cannot point the way to heaven or deal faithfully with another soul; they cannot warn of spiritual dangers in life or point the way to Christ and how to obtain the forgiveness of sin.