TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Proverbs 10:31–32.
Here, as before, men are judged of, and, accordingly, are justified or condemned, by their words, Mat 12:37. 1. It is both the proof and the praise of a man's wisdom and goodness that he speaks wisely and well. A good man, in his discourse, brings forth wisdom for the benefit of others. God gives him wisdom as a reward of his righteousness (Ecc 2:26), and he, in gratitude for that gift and justice to the giver, does good with it, and with his wise and pious discourses edifies many. He knows what is acceptable, what discourse will be pleasing to God (for that is it that he studies more than to oblige the company), and what will be agreeable both to the speaker and to the hearers, what will become him and benefit them, and that he will speak. 2. It is the sin, and will be the ruin, of a wicked man, that he speaks wickedly like himself. The mouth of the wicked speaks frowardness, that which is displeasing to God and provoking to those he converses with; and what is the issue of it? Why, the froward tongue shall be cut out, as surely as the flattering one, Psa 12:3.
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Summary
Proverbs 10:31 presents a stark antithetical contrast, revealing the profound difference between the speech of the righteous and the wicked. It declares that words emanating from a just person are a wellspring of wisdom and life, enriching others and reflecting a character aligned with God. Conversely, the perverse and deceitful speech of the wicked is destined for ultimate silencing or destruction, signifying the futility and divine judgment associated with unrighteous communication. This proverb powerfully underscores the deep connection between one's inner moral state and the outward manifestation of their words, emphasizing their lasting consequences and the ultimate triumph of divine truth.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 10 initiates a significant section of the book, often titled "the proverbs of Solomon" (beginning at Proverbs 10:1). This chapter predominantly employs antithetical parallelism, a foundational poetic structure in Hebrew wisdom literature where two contrasting lines are juxtaposed to illuminate a moral or theological truth. Each verse typically functions as a self-contained maxim, yet common themes—such as the inherent distinction between the righteous and the wicked, the nature of wisdom versus folly, the value of diligence, and particularly the profound power of speech—recur throughout. Proverbs 10:31 seamlessly integrates into this pattern by focusing specifically on the character and ultimate outcome of spoken words, a theme frequently emphasized across wisdom literature, as seen in passages like Proverbs 18:21.
Historical & Cultural Context
The book of Proverbs is deeply rooted in the wisdom tradition of ancient Israel and reflects broader ancient Near Eastern cultural values. In this societal framework, oral communication held immense significance; the spoken word was not merely a means of conveying information but was often perceived as possessing inherent power to create, sustain, or destroy. Wisdom, in this context, transcended mere intellectual knowledge; it was a practical skill for navigating life successfully and righteously within the community and before God. The "just" person (Hebrew: tsaddîyq) was understood as one who lived in right relationship with God and others, faithfully adhering to covenant stipulations and societal norms of justice. In contrast, the "froward" person (Hebrew: tahpukâh) was characterized by a twisted, perverse nature, whose character and speech were contrary to established order, truth, and righteousness.
Key Themes
Proverbs 10:31 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Proverbs and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the power of speech, illustrating that words are not morally neutral but carry profound moral and spiritual weight, capable of imparting life or death, wisdom or destruction. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of character and its manifestation, demonstrating that one's speech is a direct outflow of their inner being; a righteous heart naturally produces wise and edifying words, while a perverse heart yields corrupt and destructive words, echoing principles articulated by Jesus in Matthew 12:34. Thirdly, the proverb underscores the consequences of choices, showing that righteous living—including righteous speech—leads to flourishing, enduring impact, and divine favor, whereas wickedness, particularly perverse speech, inevitably leads to judgment, futility, and ultimate failure.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term denotes practical skill, discernment, and insight, particularly in a moral and spiritual sense. It is more than intellectual knowledge; it is the ability to apply divine truth effectively to life's situations, leading to righteous living and beneficial outcomes. When the mouth of the just "bringeth forth wisdom," it signifies that their words are insightful, prudent, edifying, and aligned with God's truth, guiding others towards right living and reflecting a godly character.
This word describes perversity, fraud, or something twisted and contrary to truth and righteousness. A "froward tongue" is one that speaks deceitfully, maliciously, or in a way that distorts truth and justice. It characterizes speech that is morally crooked, deceptive, rebellious against God's ways, or intentionally misleading, reflecting a character that is similarly perverse and defiant.
This primitive root means "to cut off, down, or asunder," implying destruction, consumption, or a decisive end. While often used in the context of "cutting a covenant," here it metaphorically signifies the silencing, destruction, or ultimate judgment upon the perverse tongue and, by extension, the one who wields it. It is a strong image of divine retribution, implying that such harmful speech will not endure but will be decisively eliminated or rendered ineffective, leading to the speaker's ruin or condemnation.
Verse Breakdown
"The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom"
This clause presents the positive and life-giving outcome of a righteous character. The "just" person, whose life is aligned with God's standards and whose heart is transformed by divine truth, naturally produces speech that is wise. This wisdom is not merely intellectual but practical, offering discernment, guidance, and truth that benefits others and honors God. Their words are constructive, insightful, and reflect a heart that has been cultivated by divine principles.
"but the froward tongue shall be cut out"
This clause introduces a stark contrast, detailing the severe negative consequence for the wicked. The "froward tongue" belongs to someone whose character is perverse, deceitful, or morally twisted, and whose speech is therefore corrupt and destructive. Such speech, being contrary to truth and righteousness, is destined for judgment. The vivid imagery of being "cut out" serves as a powerful metaphor for ultimate destruction, silencing, or the decisive removal of its harmful influence. It implies that perverse speech will ultimately lead to the speaker's ruin, failure, or divine condemnation, signifying a final and irreversible end to its destructive power.
Literary Devices
Proverbs 10:31 is a quintessential example of Antithetical Parallelism, a foundational literary device in Hebrew wisdom literature. The verse masterfully juxtaposes two contrasting statements—"The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom" and "but the froward tongue shall be cut out"—to highlight a profound moral truth through opposition. This structure powerfully emphasizes the stark difference in character, conduct, and ultimate destiny between the righteous and the wicked. Furthermore, the proverb employs Synecdoche and Metaphor. "Mouth" and "tongue" function as synecdoches, where a part (the organ of speech) represents the whole (the person's character, intentions, and overall communication). The phrase "shall be cut out" is a potent Metaphor for the ultimate judgment, silencing, or destruction that awaits perverse speech and, by extension, the one who utters it. It conveys a sense of decisive and irreversible divine action against harmful and unrighteous communication.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This proverb deeply connects to the biblical understanding of the heart as the wellspring of life and speech, asserting that true wisdom and righteousness are not merely external acts but originate from an inner disposition aligned with God's truth. Consequently, the words we speak are a direct barometer of our spiritual health and moral character. The sharp contrast between wisdom and perversity in speech underscores the divine standard for communication, where words are meant to build up, impart truth, and honor God, rather than to tear down, deceive, or corrupt. The ultimate "cutting out" of the froward tongue points to the eschatological reality of divine judgment, where all unrighteousness, including perverse speech, will be decisively dealt with, affirming God's justice and the triumph of His righteous order.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 10:31 serves as a profound mirror, inviting us to examine the nature and impact of our own words. It challenges us to consider whether our speech consistently brings forth wisdom, grace, and truth, or if it is at times characterized by perversity, deceit, or negativity. This verse reminds us that our communication is not a trivial matter but a powerful force that reflects our inner character and carries significant consequences, both for ourselves and for those around us. Cultivating a "mouth of the just" requires an ongoing commitment to righteousness, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts so that our words become instruments of God's wisdom and blessing. It calls us to intentionality in our speech, recognizing that every word has the potential to build up or tear down, to enlighten or obscure, to bless or curse, and that ultimately, our words will be judged.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "the mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom" mean?
This phrase signifies that the words spoken by a person who is righteous and lives in alignment with God's will are inherently characterized by wisdom. Their speech is insightful, discerning, constructive, and offers guidance that is true and beneficial. It implies that their words are not merely intellectually clever, but morally sound and spiritually edifying, reflecting a heart that is devoted to God's ways and filled with His truth.
What is a "froward tongue" and why is it "cut out"?
A "froward tongue" refers to the speech of someone who is perverse, twisted, deceitful, or morally corrupt. Their words are contrary to truth and righteousness, often used for manipulation, slander, rebellion, or spreading falsehoods. The imagery of it being "cut out" is a strong metaphor for ultimate judgment, silencing, or destruction. It signifies that such harmful and unrighteous speech will not prevail but will ultimately lead to the speaker's ruin, failure, or divine condemnation, as seen in other passages like Psalm 52:5.
How does this proverb relate to the New Testament teachings on speech?
This proverb aligns perfectly with New Testament teachings that emphasize the profound connection between the heart and speech. Jesus taught in Matthew 12:34 that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks," reinforcing that our words reveal our inner character. Similarly, James dedicates an entire section to the power and danger of the tongue in James 3:1-12, warning that it is a "restless evil" capable of both blessing and cursing. Both Testaments consistently teach that righteous speech flows from a righteous heart, while perverse speech indicates a corrupt heart and leads to negative consequences, ultimately facing divine judgment.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Proverbs 10:31 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of divine wisdom, as 1 Corinthians 1:30 declares Him to be "our wisdom from God." His "mouth" consistently brought forth wisdom, not merely human insight but the very words of God, which were "spirit and life" (John 6:63). His teachings, parables, and responses to His accusers were always characterized by profound truth, perfect discernment, and life-giving authority. There was never a "froward tongue" found in Him; His speech was utterly pure, righteous, and without deceit, perfectly fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9. Conversely, Jesus's ministry also pronounced severe judgment on the "froward tongues" of the Pharisees and hypocrites, whose perverse words, self-righteousness, and rejection of truth would ultimately lead to their spiritual ruin, as vividly depicted in the woes of Matthew 23. Thus, Christ perfectly exemplifies the "mouth of the just" and stands as the ultimate judge of all perverse speech, ensuring that every "froward tongue" will indeed be "cut out" in the final reckoning of His righteous kingdom.