A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!
Ver. 23. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth.] It reflects comfort upon a man when he hath spoken discreetly to the benefit and good content of others. Some degree of comfort follows every good action, as heat accompanies fire, as beams and influence issue from the sun; which is so true, that very heathens, upon the discharge of a good conscience, have found comfort and peace answerable.
A word spoken in due season, how good is it.] One seasonable truth falling on a prepared heart, hath oft a strong and sweet operation. Galeacius was converted by a similitude used by Peter Martyr reading on 1 Corinthians. Junius was reduced from atheism by conference with a countryman of his. Luther, having heard Staupicius say, that that is kind repentance which begins from the love of God, ever after that time the practice of repentance was the sweeter to him. Also this speech of his took well with Luther, Doctrina praedestinationis incipit a vulneribus Christi. a The doctrine of predestination begins at Christ's wounds. Melanchthon tells how that one time, when Luther, as he was naturally passionate, fell into a great distemper upon some provocation, he quickly quieted him by reciting this verse: -
‘ Vince animos iramque tuam qui caetera vincis. '
At the hearing hereof Luther curbed in his passion, and smiling said, Non volumus de his ampllus, sed de aliis colloqui: We'll talk no more of these matters. b
a Melch. Adam.
b Johan. Manlius in loc. com.