Proverbs 18:21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 18:21

Note, 1. A man may do a great deal of good, or a great deal of hurt, both to others and to himself, according to the use he makes of his tongue. Many a one has been his own death by a foul tongue, or the death of others by a false tongue; and, on the contrary, many a one has saved his own life, or procured the comfort of it, by a prudent gentle tongue, and saved the lives of others by a seasonable testimony or intercession for them. And, if by our words we must be justified or condemned, death... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue ,.... Of witnesses, according to the testimony they bear; of judges, according to the sentence they pass; of teachers, according to the doctrine they preach; of all men, who, by their well or ill speaking, bring death or life to themselves and others. Some, by their tongues, by the too free use of them, or falsehood they utter, are the cause of death to themselves and others; and some, by their silence, or by their prudent speech and prevalent... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue - This may apply to all men. Many have lost their lives by their tongue, and some have saved their lives by it: but it applies most forcibly to public pleaders; on many of their tongues hangs life or death. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:17-21

Evils of the tongue and of contention I. THE FOLLY OF HASTE IN DEBATE . ( Proverbs 18:17 .) "One tale is good till another be told." This saw holds good of private life, of lawsuits, of controversies in philosophy and theology. Audi alteram, partem, " Listen to both sides." This is the duty of the judge, or of him who for the time being plays the judicial part. If we are parties in a debate or a suit, then nothing will hold good except to have the "conscience void of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; literally, in the hand of the tongue. The tongue, according as it is used, deals forth life or death; for speech is the picture of the mind (comp. Proverbs 12:18 ; Proverbs 26:28 ). The vast importance of our words may be learned from James 3:1-18 .; and our blessed Lord says expressly ( Matthew 12:36 , etc.), "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 18:21

Proverbs 18:21. Life and death are in the power of the tongue Are brought upon men by the good or bad use of their tongues; and they that love it Namely, the tongue; that love much talking; shall eat the fruit thereof Shall receive either good or evil according to the quality of their speeches. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 18:1-24

Real strength (18:1-24)When people become too confident in their own opinions, they are liable to break away from former friends. They become unreasonable in discussion and blind to the viewpoints of others. Those who despise others will themselves be disgraced (18:1-3). The words of the wise bring refreshment, but those of a fool or a gossip bring destruction (4-8).Those who leave work undone are almost as bad as those who wreck what already has been done (9). Those who trust in God know they... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 18:21

power. Hebrew "hand", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the power put forth by it. the tongue. Illustrations: the ten spies (Numbers 14:36 , Numbers 14:37 ); Doeg (1 Samuel 22:9 , 1 Samuel 22:10 ); Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:28 , 2 Kings 18:35 ; 2 Kings 19:22-35 . 2 Chronicles 32:21 ); Ammonites (Ezekiel 25:3-7 ); Sapphira (Acts 5:5-10 ); Esther (Esther 7:0 and Esther 8:0 ); Paul (Acts 16:28-34 ); the Gospel (Romans 1:16 . 2 Corinthians 2:16 ). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 18:21

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."The thought here is parallel with the previous proverb; but it adds an inference that, "One should not fall in love with talking too much." read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 18:21

21. Death and life—or, the greatest evil and good. that love it—that is, the tongue, or its use for good or evil. eat . . . fruit—(Compare Proverbs 18:19; James 1:19). read more

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