Proverbs 12:18

18 There is one who speaks rashly, like the thrust of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 12:18 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 12:18

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword
Whose words are like sharp swords, cutting, wounding, dividing, killing; see ( Psalms 57:4 ) ( 59:7 ) ( 64:3 ) ; such are the words of false witnesses, who by their false testimonies and perjuries are as guilty of the murder of men as cutthroats; such are the words of slanderers, backbiters, and talebearers, who grieve the innocent, wound their characters, destroy their good name and credit, and separate chief friends; and such are the words of antichrist, who looks like a lamb, but speaks like a dragon, ( Revelation 13:11 ) ; but the tongue of the wise [is] health;
or "healing" F5; by giving a faithful testimony which sets matters right; by clearing and defending the character of those who are falsely accused and wrongfully charged; by making up differences, and reconciling persons at variance through the detracting and lying insinuations of others; and by speaking comfortable, cheerful, and refreshing words to the injured and abused; especially the tongue of a wise minister of the Gospel is health, or healing, to wounded souls, to whom he ministers the Gospel of the grace of God, which directs to Christ for healing, peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life.


FOOTNOTES:

F5 (aprm) "medicinae", Junius & Tremellius; "medicina", Piscator, Cocceius; "sanatio", Michaelis; "sanatrix", Schultens.

Proverbs 12:18 In-Context

16 As for a fool, {on that very day} he makes his anger known, but he who ignores an insult [is] prudent.
17 He who will speak truth will reveal righteousness, but the witness of falsehood, deceit.
18 There is one who speaks rashly, like the thrust of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 A lip of truth endures forever, but a tongue of deception lasts only a moment.
20 Deceit [is] in the heart of {those who plan} evil, but to {those who plan} peace, [there is] joy.
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.