Proverbs 18:20

Commentary on Proverbs 18:20 (KJV)

Proverbs 18:20 offers profound wisdom about the direct consequences of one's speech, presenting a vivid metaphor drawn from agriculture. It highlights that just as a farmer reaps what he sows, a person will experience the direct results—good or ill—of the words they speak.

Context

The Book of Proverbs is a collection of ancient Israelite wisdom literature, offering practical guidance for living a righteous and prosperous life. Throughout Proverbs, there is a strong emphasis on the power of the tongue and the importance of wise speech versus foolish or wicked speech. This particular verse fits squarely within this theme, underscoring that our words are not empty but carry tangible weight and consequences that ultimately affect our own well-being and satisfaction.

Key Themes

• The Power of Words: The verse emphasizes that words are not merely sounds but have a substantial, life-shaping impact. They are presented as a "fruit" or "increase" that one consumes, suggesting a direct link between speech and personal outcome.
• Reaping What You Sow: The agricultural imagery of "fruit" and "increase" strongly conveys the principle of reaping what you sow. What comes out of a person's mouth—whether blessings or curses, truth or lies, encouragement or criticism—will eventually return to them in some form, determining their "satisfaction" or "filling."
• Personal Accountability: The verse places responsibility squarely on the individual for the state of their "belly" or inner being, directly linking it to the output of their "mouth" and "lips." It suggests that our words play a significant role in our personal fulfillment and the quality of our lives.

Linguistic Insights

• "Belly" (Hebrew: beten): While literally referring to the stomach, in this context, beten often signifies the inner being, the desires, or the very core of a person's life and sustenance. Thus, "satisfied with the fruit of his mouth" implies that one's deepest needs and desires will be met (or not met) by the results of their words.
• "Fruit of his mouth" (Hebrew: peri pihu) and "Increase of his lips" (Hebrew: tevu'at sefatayv): Both phrases use terms associated with agricultural produce or harvest. "Fruit" (peri) denotes the natural outcome or product, while "increase" (tevu'at) refers to the yield or revenue from a crop. This reinforces the idea that words are like seeds that, once sown, will inevitably produce a harvest that the speaker must consume.

Related Scriptures

This proverb finds parallels throughout Scripture, reinforcing the profound impact of speech:

• A very similar proverb, Proverbs 12:14, states, "A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him."
• The importance of careful speech is also highlighted in Proverbs 13:3: "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."
• In the New Testament, Jesus Himself affirmed this principle in Matthew 12:37: "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
• The Apostle James also offers a vivid description of the immense power of the tongue, both for good and for evil, in James 3:6-8.

Practical Application

Proverbs 18:20 serves as a powerful reminder for daily living:

1. Mindful Speech: It calls us to be extremely mindful of what we say. Our words have creative and destructive power. Do we speak life, encouragement, truth, and wisdom, or do we engage in gossip, slander, negativity, or lies?
2. Consequence Awareness: Understanding that our words will ultimately "fill" us should motivate us to speak in ways that lead to positive outcomes for ourselves and others—stronger relationships, a good reputation, and inner peace.
3. Building Your Future: This verse suggests that our spoken words are actively shaping our present and future reality. Speaking words of faith, hope, and blessing can contribute to a life of satisfaction, while negative or destructive speech can lead to dissatisfaction and trouble.

Ultimately, this proverb encourages us to cultivate a habit of righteous and beneficial speech, knowing that the harvest of our lips will inevitably become our sustenance.