Proverbs 18:21

Sermon Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:21

Proverbs 18:21 I. The tongue is like a steed (James 3:3 ): (1) When it speaks too much; (2) when it is boasting; (3) when it is angry. II. The tongue is like a sword (Psalms 57:4 ): (1) Against the weak and helpless; (2) against sacred things and holy persons. III. The tongue is like a serpent (Psalms 140:3 ): (1) when it slanders; (2) when it flatters. IV. The tongue is like fire (James 3:6 ). It is like fire when it speaks profane or foul words in the hearing of others; because those who hear... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:1-24

Chapter 18Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddleth with all wisdom. A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. When the wicked comes, then comes also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 18:1-24

Proverbs 18:1 . Through desire a man having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. יתגלע yithgalâ; this word occurs but thrice, and only in the book of Proverbs; viz. here, and in Proverbs 17:14; Proverbs 20:3. Solomon might have introduced it from some other nation. Rabbi Ezra says, it designates a man who travels for the acquisition of wisdom, and devotes himself to literature. Rabbi Levi gives the word a speculative turn, of one devoted to metaphysical studies,... read more

Joseph Exell

The Biblical Illustrator - Proverbs 18:21

Proverbs 18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue. The power of speechOf all the powers that man possesses there is scarcely any more awful than the power of speech. It is a God-like power. Human speech is no mere evolution from the cry of the animals. Speech became possible on the earth only when on the earth there appeared one into whom the Divine Spirit had breathed the breath of life, and made him a living soul. It is because the origin of speech is Divine that words have such... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:21

Pro 18:21 Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Ver. 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. ] That best and worst member of the body, as Bias told Amasis, king of Egypt; a an "unruly evil set on fire of hell," saith St James of an ill tongue - as contrarily a good one is fired with zeal by the Holy Ghost. Act 2:2-4 Fire, we know, is a good servant, but an ill lord; if it get above us once, there is no dealing with it.... read more

Samuel Bagster

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Proverbs 18:21

Death: Proverbs 18:4-Judges :, Proverbs 10:20, Proverbs 10:21, Proverbs 10:31, Proverbs 11:30, Matthew 12:35-Haggai :, Romans 10:14, Romans 10:15, 2 Corinthians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 11:15, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:6, Titus 1:10, Titus 1:11, James 3:6-1 Samuel :, 2 Peter 2:18 and: Proverbs 10:19, Ecclesiastes 10:12-2 Chronicles :, Isaiah 57:19 Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 22:14 - General Job 6:25 - forcible Job 19:2 - break me Psalms 12:3 - proud Psalms 34:13 - Keep Psalms 39:1 - that I Psalms... read more

John Wesley

Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.Death and life — Are brought upon men by, the good or bad use of their tongues.Lovest — That love much talking. read more

Daniel Whedon

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 18:21

21. Power of the tongue Hebrew, hand of the tongue. Many men lose their lives by incautious words; others, by using prudent words, save their lives. False accusations and false testimony sometimes destroy men. Truthful testimony and wise pleading save others. The latter clause is understood to mean, they that talk too much shall suffer for it; or, he that employs it much will experience the effect of its use or abuse. read more

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