Proverbs 10:31 Commentary and Bible Study

Solomon returns to the subject of the tongue but in such a way as to link it to a man’s eternal prospects. The proverb is asymmetric, but since the second half speaks of future judgment then this must be implicit in the first half also, and since the first half refers to the wisdom of the tongue of the righteous then the second half implies the foolishness of the tongue of the froward. On account of our words we will be condemned and on account of our words we will be justified, Christ teaches, for men shall give account of every idle word they speak in the day of judgment (Matthew 12:36-37). The first tongue shall be honoured for the wisdom it speaks, but the second shall be cut out to silence it for it is not worthy to utter anything. Does this imply the existence of disfigured bodies in hell? Not necessarily, for Solomon constantly uses figures of speech and the point is that this tongue will lose all opportunity to do any further harm, for it never made use of past opportunities to do good. We ought to think of how great this loss is, for it is one of the greatest privileges that we have to speak on behalf of the truth. God’s message to the human race is expressed in words, and the ability to repeat those words and consent to them and publish them on God’s behalf is an honour we do not deserve. The tongue is an instrument for good, and the good use of it is one way in which we express our love for God.