Proverbs 10:31

KJV

¶ The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

KJV (with Strong's)

The mouth {H6310} of the just {H6662} bringeth forth {H5107} wisdom {H2451}: but the froward {H8419} tongue {H3956} shall be cut out {H3772}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

Berean Standard Bible

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

American Standard Version

The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom; But the perverse tongue shall be cut off.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 10:31 offers a sharp antithetical contrast, highlighting the profound difference between the speech of the righteous and the wicked. It declares that the words emanating from a just person are a source of wisdom and life, enriching others and reflecting a godly character. Conversely, the perverse and deceitful speech of the wicked is destined for ultimate silencing or destruction, signifying the futility and judgment associated with unrighteous communication. This proverb underscores the deep connection between one's inner moral state and the outward manifestation of their words, emphasizing their lasting consequences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 10 initiates a major section of the book, often referred to as "the proverbs of Solomon" (beginning at [Proverbs 10:1](/proverbs/10-1 "Proverbs 10:1 - The Proverbs of Solomon")). This chapter primarily employs antithetical parallelism, where two contrasting lines are juxtaposed to highlight a truth. Each verse typically stands alone as a self-contained maxim, though common themes, such as the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, wisdom and folly, diligence and laziness, and the power of speech, run throughout. Proverbs 10:31 fits seamlessly into this pattern, focusing specifically on the nature and outcome of spoken words, a theme frequently explored in wisdom literature (e.g., [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Proverbs reflects the wisdom tradition prevalent in ancient Israel and the broader ancient Near East. In this cultural milieu, oral communication was paramount, and the spoken word carried immense weight, often being seen as having inherent power to create or destroy. Wisdom was not merely intellectual knowledge but practical skill for living successfully and righteously within the community and before God. The "just" (Hebrew: *tsaddîyq*) person was one who lived in right relationship with God and others, adhering to covenant stipulations and societal norms of justice. The "froward" person, by contrast, was one whose character and speech were twisted, perverse, and contrary to established order and truth.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Proverbs. Firstly, it emphasizes the **power of speech**, illustrating how words are not neutral but carry profound moral and spiritual weight, capable of bringing life or death, wisdom or destruction. Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **character and its manifestation**, showing that one's speech is a direct outflow of their inner being; a righteous heart produces wise words, while a perverse heart produces corrupt words, echoing principles found in [Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks"). Thirdly, it highlights the **consequences of choices**, demonstrating that righteous living, including righteous speech, leads to flourishing and enduring impact, while wickedness, particularly perverse speech, leads to judgment and ultimate failure.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mouth (Hebrew, _peh'_):** From H6310, this word literally refers to the physical opening but is frequently used figuratively to denote speech, utterance, or communication. In this context, "the mouth of the just" signifies the entirety of their verbal expression, representing the source from which their words flow. It emphasizes that the words spoken are a direct product of the person's character and inner disposition.
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** From H2451, this term refers to practical skill, discernment, and insight, particularly in a moral and spiritual sense. It's not merely intellectual knowledge but the ability to apply truth effectively to life's situations, leading to righteous living and beneficial outcomes. When the mouth of the just "bringeth forth wisdom," it means their words are insightful, prudent, edifying, and aligned with God's truth, guiding others towards right living.
* **Froward (Hebrew, _tahpukâh'_):** From H8419, this word denotes perversity, fraud, or something twisted and contrary to truth. A "froward tongue" is one that speaks deceitfully, maliciously, or in a way that distorts truth and justice. It describes speech that is morally crooked, deceptive, or rebellious against God's ways, reflecting a character that is similarly perverse.
* **Cut out (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** From H3772, this primitive root means "to cut off, down, or asunder," implying destruction, consumption, or a decisive end. While often used for making covenants (by cutting flesh), here it metaphorically signifies the silencing, destruction, or ultimate judgment upon the perverse tongue. It's 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.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom":** This clause presents the positive outcome of a righteous character. The "just" person, whose life is aligned with God's standards, naturally produces speech that is wise. This wisdom is not just 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 transformed by divine principles.
* **"but the froward tongue shall be cut out":** This clause introduces a stark contrast, detailing the negative consequence for the wicked. The "froward tongue" belongs to someone whose character is perverse, deceitful, or morally twisted. Such speech, being contrary to truth and righteousness, is destined for judgment. The imagery of being "cut out" is 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.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 10:31 is a masterful example of **Antithetical Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew wisdom literature. The verse presents two contrasting statements, "The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom" and "but the froward tongue shall be cut out," to highlight a moral truth through opposition. This structure emphasizes the stark difference in character and outcome between the righteous and the wicked. Furthermore, the verse employs **Synecdoche** and **Metaphor**. "Mouth" and "tongue" are used as synecdoches, where a part (the organ of speech) represents the whole (the person's character and communication). The phrase "shall be cut out" is a powerful **Metaphor** for the ultimate judgment, silencing, or destruction that awaits perverse speech and, by extension, the one who utters it. It implies a decisive and irreversible end to its harmful influence, reflecting divine justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb deeply connects to the biblical understanding of the heart as the wellspring of life and speech. It posits 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 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.

* [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue")
* [Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34-37 - Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks")
* [James 3:7](/james/3-7 "James 3:7-10 - The Untamable Tongue")

### 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.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the quality of my speech reflect the condition of my heart?**
* **In what specific ways can I ensure my words "bring forth wisdom" in my daily interactions?**
* **What "froward" tendencies in my speech do I need to identify and surrender to God for transformation?**
* **Considering the ultimate consequence for the "froward tongue," how does this motivate me to pursue righteous communication?**

### FAQ
**What does "the mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom" mean?**

Answer: This phrase means that the words spoken by a person who is righteous and lives in alignment with God's will are characterized by wisdom. Their speech is insightful, discerning, constructive, and offers guidance that is true and beneficial. It implies that their words are not just intellectually clever, but morally sound and spiritually edifying, reflecting a heart that is devoted to God's ways.

**What is a "froward tongue" and why is it "cut out"?**

Answer: 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, or rebellion. 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](/psalm/52-5 "Psalm 52:5 - God shall likewise destroy thee forever").

**How does this proverb relate to the New Testament teachings on speech?**

Answer: This proverb aligns perfectly with New Testament teachings that emphasize the profound connection between the heart and speech. Jesus taught in [Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks") 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](/james/3 "James 3 - Taming the Tongue"), 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.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 10:31 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of divine wisdom, as [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ, our wisdom") 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](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - My words are spirit and life")). 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, fulfilling the prophecy of [Isaiah 53:9](/isaiah/53-9 "Isaiah 53:9 - No deceit in His mouth"). Conversely, Jesus's ministry also pronounced judgment on the "froward tongues" of the Pharisees and hypocrites, whose perverse words and self-righteousness would ultimately lead to their spiritual ruin, as vividly depicted in [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees"). 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.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 37:30

The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

Proverbs 10:13

¶ In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod [is] for the back of him that is void of understanding.

Proverbs 10:20

¶ The tongue of the just [is as] choice silver: the heart of the wicked [is] little worth.

Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Psalms 63:11

But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Psalms 120:3

What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

Psalms 120:4

Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.