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 17:20.
Note, 1. Framing ill designs will be of no advantage to us; there is nothing got by them: He that has a froward heart, that sows discord and is full of resentment, cannot promise himself to get by it sufficient to counterbalance the loss of his repose and reputation, nor can he take any rational satisfaction in it; he finds no good. 2. Giving ill language will be a great disadvantage to us: He that has a perverse tongue, spiteful and abusive, scurrilous or backbiting, falls into one mischief or other, loses his friends, provokes his enemies, and pulls trouble upon his own head. Many a one has paid dearly for an unbridled tongue.
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Summary
Proverbs 17:20 encapsulates a profound principle of divine wisdom, asserting an undeniable link between one's inner disposition and outward expression, and the consequential outcomes. It warns that an individual whose heart is morally twisted or rebellious will inevitably fail to experience genuine well-being or blessing, while one whose speech is deceitful or corrupt will invariably encounter trouble and calamity. This proverb thus powerfully underscores the pervasive impact of both internal character and verbal communication on one's life trajectory, emphasizing that moral choices have intrinsic and inescapable results.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 17:20 is situated within the "Proverbs of Solomon" (Proverbs 10:1-22:16), a collection characterized by concise, often antithetical or synonymous, statements of wisdom. This particular verse employs synonymous parallelism, where the second clause reinforces the truth of the first, using different but related imagery to deepen the message. The proverb fits seamlessly into the book's overarching purpose: to impart practical wisdom, moral instruction, and understanding of God's righteous order to all who seek it. Throughout Proverbs, there is a consistent and stark contrast drawn between the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, demonstrating that adherence to divine principles leads to life and flourishing, while deviation inevitably leads to folly and destruction. This verse specifically addresses the internal wellspring of moral action—the heart—and its primary external manifestation—the tongue—a recurring and vital theme within biblical wisdom literature.
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israel, wisdom (ḥokmâ) was not merely intellectual prowess but a comprehensive, practical, and moral understanding of how to live in harmony with God's created order and covenant. The "heart" (Hebrew: lêb) was understood as the very core of one's being, encompassing intellect, will, emotions, and moral character, rather than solely a physical organ. Therefore, a "froward heart" implied a deeply corrupted inner disposition, a deliberate and stubborn turning away from truth and righteousness. Similarly, the "tongue" (Hebrew: lâshôwn) was recognized as an extraordinarily powerful instrument, capable of both immense good and profound destruction. Ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel, understood that words carried significant weight, shaping personal reputation, communal relationships, and even destiny. Proverbs, reflecting this cultural understanding, frequently addresses the critical importance of controlled, truthful, and edifying speech, recognizing its direct and tangible impact on both individual and collective well-being. The consequences described—the absence of "good" and the falling into "mischief"—were understood as the natural and divinely ordained outcomes of such internal and external perversity within God's moral universe.
Key Themes
This proverb powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive throughout the Book of Proverbs and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the primacy of the heart as the wellspring of life, emphasizing that one's inner disposition fundamentally determines one's experience of "good" or holistic well-being. A heart that is "froward" or twisted will inevitably find itself alienated from true blessing, as also warned in Proverbs 4:23, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.". Secondly, it underscores the power and peril of the tongue, illustrating how corrupt speech, stemming from a perverse heart, directly leads to "mischief" or calamity. The Bible consistently warns about the destructive potential of uncontrolled words, as seen in James 3:8, "But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.". Finally, the verse powerfully illustrates the principle of sowing and reaping, a fundamental biblical truth that one's actions, whether internal character or external speech, inevitably yield corresponding consequences. Just as Galatians 6:7, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." declares, a life characterized by perversity will inevitably reap trouble, while a life of integrity brings forth good.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From the root ʻāqaš, meaning "to twist, distort, make crooked," this term describes something that is morally warped, stubbornly rebellious, or deliberately turned away from what is upright and true. When applied to the "heart," it signifies an inner disposition that is not merely mistaken but actively resists correction and pursues a path contrary to divine wisdom and righteousness. It denotes a deep-seated perversity of will and intention.
This comprehensive term encompasses a wide range of positive meanings, including moral goodness, well-being, prosperity, blessing, favor, beauty, and pleasantness. In the context of "findeth no good," it implies that a froward heart is inherently incapable of perceiving, pursuing, or experiencing genuine flourishing, true happiness, or the holistic blessings that flow from living in alignment with God's design. It speaks to a lack of comprehensive spiritual, relational, and material well-being.
This broad term denotes evil in its various forms, including trouble, calamity, harm, wickedness, and adversity. When a "perverse tongue" "falleth into mischief," it means that the speaker's crooked or deceitful words inevitably lead them into troublesome situations, personal harm, ruin, or destructive outcomes, which are often self-inflicted consequences of their own corrupt communication.
Verse Breakdown
"He that hath a froward heart findeth no good:"
This clause establishes the internal source of negative life outcomes. A "froward heart" (Hebrew: ʻiqqêsh H6141, "distorted" + lêb H3820, "heart") refers to an individual whose innermost being—their thoughts, intentions, will, and moral compass—is twisted, crooked, or stubbornly rebellious against what is inherently right and true. Such a person, by virtue of their corrupted internal state, is fundamentally incapable of "finding good" (Hebrew: mâtsâʼ H4672, "to find, attain" + ṭôwb H2896, "good, well-being"). This "good" signifies genuine flourishing, prosperity, favor, or blessing in a holistic sense. Their distorted perspective and rebellious will prevent them from perceiving, pursuing, or receiving the true blessings that emanate from wisdom and righteousness, leading to a life devoid of genuine well-being.
"and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief."
This second clause functions in synonymous parallelism, focusing on the external manifestation of inner perversity—the "perverse tongue" (Hebrew: hâphak H2015, "to turn, pervert" + lâshôwn H3956, "tongue"). A "perverse tongue" is one that speaks deceitfully, misleadingly, or in a way that twists or distorts the truth. Such speech is a direct and inevitable outflow of the froward heart. The consequence is that this individual "falleth into mischief" (Hebrew: nâphal H5307, "to fall" + raʻ H7451, "evil, trouble, calamity"). Their crooked words inevitably lead them into troublesome situations, personal harm, calamity, or evil circumstances, demonstrating a direct and unavoidable cause-and-effect relationship between corrupt speech and negative personal consequences.
Literary Devices
Proverbs 17:20 is a masterful example of Synonymous Parallelism, a foundational characteristic of Hebrew poetry. Both clauses express the same core truth using different but reinforcing imagery: a corrupted internal state ("froward heart") inevitably leads to a lack of positive outcomes ("findeth no good"), just as corrupt external expression ("perverse tongue") leads directly to negative consequences ("falleth into mischief"). This repetition with variation serves to emphasize the certainty and universality of the principle, etching it deeply into the reader's mind. Furthermore, the verse employs Metonymy, where "heart" stands for the entire inner person, encompassing intellect, will, emotions, and moral character, and "tongue" stands for speech and communication. This allows for concise yet profound statements about the source and nature of human behavior. The proverb's structure also highlights a clear Cause and Effect relationship, explicitly linking moral character and verbal conduct to their inescapable results, serving as a powerful didactic warning.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Proverbs 17:20 profoundly illustrates the biblical understanding of human nature and divine justice. It reveals that true "good" or flourishing is not merely external prosperity but an internal state of being that aligns with God's righteous character and His created order. A heart that is "froward"—twisted away from divine truth and wisdom—is inherently incapable of receiving or experiencing this holistic good because its very orientation is contrary to the source of all blessing. Similarly, the "perverse tongue" is not just a casual misuse of words but an outward manifestation of that inner corruption, inevitably leading the speaker into "mischief" or calamity. This truth underscores God's moral governance of the world, where actions and character have inherent, divinely ordained consequences. It calls believers to profound introspection, recognizing that genuine spiritual health and a life of true blessing begin with the purification of the heart, which then naturally leads to righteous speech and a life that truly finds good.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 17:20 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to examine the deepest recesses of our being and the most common expressions of our daily lives. It challenges us to move beyond superficial morality and consider the true root of our actions: the heart. If our inner disposition is twisted by pride, deceit, bitterness, rebellion against God's truth, or a stubborn refusal to submit to His ways, we will inevitably find ourselves alienated from true "good"—the genuine peace, joy, and holistic blessing that flow from a right relationship with God and others. Furthermore, the proverb highlights the immense, often underestimated, power of our words. A "perverse tongue" is not merely one that outright lies, but one that subtly twists truth, manipulates, slanders, gossips, or undermines. Such speech, stemming from a froward heart, creates a path of "mischief" not only for others but, inevitably, for ourselves, leading to broken relationships, damaged reputation, and personal distress. This profound wisdom calls us to cultivate a heart surrendered to God's transforming grace, allowing His Holy Spirit to straighten our crooked paths and purify our intentions. From such a renewed heart will flow words that are truthful, edifying, and life-giving, leading us away from calamity and into the abundant life God intends for His children.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean to have a "froward heart"?
A "froward heart" (from the Hebrew ʻiqqêsh) refers to an inner disposition that is twisted, crooked, or perverse. It signifies a moral and spiritual distortion, a deliberate and stubborn turning away from what is straight, upright, or righteous in God's eyes. It's not just a mistake or a lapse in judgment, but a fundamental orientation of one's will and affections that is rebellious against truth and divine wisdom. Such a heart is resistant to correction and chooses a path contrary to God's design for human flourishing, ultimately hindering its ability to experience true good.
How does a "perverse tongue" lead to "mischief"?
A "perverse tongue" (from the Hebrew hâphak for "perverse" and lâshôwn for "tongue") is one that speaks in a twisted, deceitful, or misleading way. It can involve lying, slandering, manipulating, gossiping, or distorting truth. Such speech, being an outflow of a corrupted heart, inevitably leads the speaker into "mischief" (from the Hebrew raʻ), which encompasses trouble, harm, calamity, or evil circumstances. This is because deceitful or destructive words erode trust, create conflict, damage relationships, and ultimately undermine the speaker's own reputation and well-being, often resulting in self-inflicted negative consequences. The proverb highlights the direct cause-and-effect relationship between corrupt communication and personal adversity, underscoring the destructive power of the tongue, as also emphasized in James 3.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Proverbs 17:20, with its stark warning against the froward heart and perverse tongue, finds its ultimate fulfillment and redemptive solution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of the upright heart and the truthful tongue, never finding "no good" but always experiencing the Father's perfect favor and accomplishing His will. Unlike fallen humanity whose hearts are naturally twisted by sin (Jeremiah 17:9), Jesus perfectly submitted His will to the Father's, even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). His "heart" was pure, righteous, and perfectly aligned with God's wisdom, enabling Him to be the very source of all true "good" for humanity (John 14:6). Furthermore, His "tongue" was never perverse; He spoke only truth, grace, and life-giving words, even when facing the most intense opposition (Luke 4:22). He did not fall into "mischief" due to His own sin, but rather, He bore the "mischief" and evil of humanity's sin on the cross, becoming sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through faith in Him, our froward hearts can be transformed and made new (Ezekiel 36:26), and our perverse tongues can be redeemed to speak words of truth, grace, and blessing, finding true and eternal "good" in Him, for He is our ultimate wisdom and righteousness.