Words Matter
Commonplace –
“The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked” (Proverbs 10:11).
The lesson of Proverbs 10:11 is – Words Matter. The good man says good things. “His mouth, the outlet of his mind, is a well of life” (Henry 692). Later, Jesus echoes Solomon’s sentiments when he is speaking to the Pharisees.
“ O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34).
In regard to the wicked, Matthew Henry notes the following:
“The mouth of the wicked covers violence, disguises the designed mischief with professions of friendship, that it may be carried on the more securely and effectually, as Joab kissed and killed, Judas kissed and betrayed; this is his sin, to which the punishment answers” (692).
Works Cited
Henry, Matthew. “Proverbs 10:11.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.
Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.
© 2025 Angela Hormberg
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