Proverbs 26:23 Commentary and Bible Study

First of all there is a contrast in this proverb between the lips and the heart, the lips telling one story, and the reality in the heart another. The adjective describing the lips is literally ‘burning’ and this could be rendered with a negative word – angry or vengeful – but that would not maintain the clear contrast between the lips and the wicked heart, and therefore a positive word is needed, such as ‘fervent’, which continues to present the lips and the heart as apparently telling two different stories. This translation is confirmed by the similar sentiment in the next two verses. The contrast in the first part of the verse is required by the evident contrast in the second part between the basic earthenware pot and its misleading covering. The earthenware pot corresponds to the wicked heart, and the silver dross to the fervent lips. The overlay looks good, but the reality is that underneath is a very crude earthenware pot, nothing special at all. Indeed the overlay is not even pure silver, but is really either unrefined silver or something that looks a little like it but which is in fact dross, an impurity fit to be discarded. There is therefore a deception built into this object.A superficial examination of the pot may suggest that it is solid silver, but the weight and feel of it is not right. So too the lips of certain persons make claims of affection and friendship, of zealous for God, or of love of truth or righteousness, but these are only a smokescreen for what really lies within the heart. Discernment is called for to see beyond appearances. In dealing with human beings we cannot afford to take everything at face value for many deceivers have gone out into the world. In particular, we must beware of words that feign friendship, love, good will towards others but which are simply a mask, covering over an evil intention. The evil heart within must at length express itself, and the hypocritical lips cannot fully conceal what lies within.