Proverbs 14:23 Commentary and Bible Study

The literal Hebrew in the second half of the verse is ‘the talk of the lips’, but the contrast with labour in the first half suggests that this individual does no more than talk: he boasts of great future plans, but never executes them; he offers help to the needy, but they remain destitute; he vows to establish justice, but fails to carry it out. It is clear that this does not refer to all use of speech, for good words are highly commended in Scripture; it refers to words which have become a substitute for action. The phrase could therefore be translated ‘mere talk’. The man who ought to take action but only talks of what he could do, or will do, does not advance a single step. By all means, let us make plans and express them, but when it comes to the time to act, then let us not put off acting by further talk, for then talking becomes empty, and the lack of action exposes our words as insubstantial, insincere, a smokescreen for laziness. It is easier to move the tongue than the limbs, but the tongue cannot achieve what is required, and it can boast of much greater things than the arms or legs can actually accomplish. Mere talk is cheap, and words should be tested by action. Labour, however, to accomplish some good purpose – this is assumed – is profitable, and will be rewarded by the Lord according to the principle of the use of legitimate means that he has put in place.This proverb is obviously true in the realm of agriculture, business, and commerce, but it is also true in the spiritual realm. James warns that a man may deceive himself by expressing love with his tongue and not expressing it by actions that cost him anything (James 2:15-16). We must therefore love in word and in deed, says John (1 John 3:18). If not, we are in danger of deceiving ourselves, for a shallow person can listen to his own words and be convinced by them when those words do not in fact lead to action. This talk also leads to poverty of the soul, for God will not regard an intention that goes no further than the tongue (2 Corinthians 8:10-11; 9:1-4). We are tempted not to finish what we start, put off by the hard work needed to see things through to conclusion, but a man of integrity will listen to his own words and not let a gap open up between his tongue and his hand. He will purge out of himself any such weakness, being ashamed to allow his words to become an empty sound.