| Geneva Study Bible A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. Wesley's Notes 15:4 Wholesome - Which utters sound and useful counsels. Tree of life - Is greatly useful to preserve the present life, and to promote the spiritual and eternal life, both of the speaker and hearers. Perverseness - False or corrupt speeches. A breach - Disturbs and wounds the spirits, both of the speaker and hearers. King James Translators' Notes A wholesome...: Heb. The healing of the tongue Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 4. A wholesome tongue-(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language. tree of life-(Pr 3:18; 11:30). perverseness therein-cross, ill-natured language. breach . spirit-(compare Isa 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 15:3. Secret sins, services, and sorrows, are under God's eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners. 4. A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance. 5. If instruction is despised, reprove men rather than suffer them to go on undisturbed in the way to ruin. 6. The wealth of worldly men increases their fears and suspicions, adds strength to their passions, and renders the fear of death more distressing. 7. We use knowledge aright when we disperse it; but the heart of the foolish has nothing to disperse that is good. 8,9. The wicked put other things in the stead of Christ's atonement, or in the place of holy obedience. Praying graces are his gift, and the work of his Spirit, with which he is well pleased. 10. He that hates reproof shall perish in his sins, since he would not be parted from them. | 
