What does it mean that a soft answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1)?

Answer

Soft is a term that can sometimes carry negative connotations linked to frailty. However, this is not the situation in Proverbs 15:1: “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (ESV). In this passage, the author explains that responding with a soft answer is the wiser option when faced with a problem.

The term translated as “soft” in the original language can also signify “gentle,” “tenderhearted,” “kindly,” and “having or showing a thoughtful or gentle nature.” Wrath denotes “fury” or “anger.” The proverb teaches that a wise individual will handle issues with gentleness. Proverbs 15:1 in the New Living Translation states, “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”

The primary theme of the book of Proverbs is wisdom. Its aim is to instruct young seekers on how to acquire understanding and insight by cultivating a disciplined life and opting for what is right, just, beneficial, and fair. Wisdom, essentially, is a decision manifested in a person’s fundamental approach to life. Through their values and commitments, the wise person elects to live in accordance with godly principles and make righteous choices. They will carefully heed the counsel and guidance provided in Scripture, applying God’s truth, and submitting to the Lord’s will.

In Proverbs 15:1, the wise decision is presented first: “a soft answer turns away wrath.” Responding with a soft answer entails replying with gentleness and patience in a manner that diffuses anger and prevents the situation from escalating. Conversely, “a harsh word stirs up anger.” The unwise decision is to react unkindly, hastily, and in anger. Later, Solomon restates the wise and foolish alternatives: “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel” «A wrathful man stirreth up strife: But he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. », (Proverbs 15:18).

A gentle or soft answer turns away wrath by neutralizing a potentially tense or explosive situation. A harsh word does the opposite; rather than dissolving anger, it charges it up. James taught believers that operating in “human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” «for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. », (James 1:20). According to James, “Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” «But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. », (James 3:17).

Wise Christians keep in mind that God calls us to be peacemakers: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” « Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. », (Matthew 5:9). Choosing to promote and inspire peace requires other virtues encouraged in the Proverbs. “The plans of the diligent lead to profit,” says Proverbs 21:5. It takes forethought, diligence, and planning to be ready to take on the role of peacemaker in challenging or heated circumstances. We must daily “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” «But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.», (Romans 13:14, ESV).

To be ready with a soft answer that turns away wrath, we must make the daily choice to nurture and develop patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.

(Colossians 3:12; Galatians 5:22).