Matthew 12:35

35 A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, [a] and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.

Matthew 12:35 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 12:35

A good man, out of the good treasure of the heart
"A good man", is a regenerated man, one that is renewed by the Spirit of God, a believer in Christ, a sincere lover of him, and one that follows him, wheresoever he goes, and who has the grace of God implanted in him: for "the good treasure the heart", is not what he is naturally possessed of, but what is put into him: and is no other than the superabundant grace of God, or that grace for grace, which he has received out of Christ's fulness, and the rich experience of it he is blessed with: and may well be called a "treasure"; for as a treasure is a collection of riches, so this consists of various graces, each of which is more precious than gold, silver, and precious stones; a "good" one, both from the quality and quantity of it; and "of the heart", though this is left out in many copies, from the seat and subject of it; and out of this the gracious man

bringeth forth good things;
tells his experience, speaks of what God has done for his soul; says many things to the glory of the grace of God; of the person, offices, blood, righteousness, and fulness of Christ; and of the operations and influences of the blessed Spirit; and which are pleasant, profitable, useful, and edifying to the saints:

and an evil man, out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil
things.
The "evil man", is a man as he was born; who is wholly flesh, carnal, and in a state of nature; destitute of the Spirit, and having no principle of grace in him: "the evil treasure", is the corruption of his nature, the desperate wickedness of his heart; and those swarms of lusts, and all manner of sin that dwell there; from whence are continually proceeding evil and corrupt communications, which not only defile himself, but others; and among the rest, not only vain words and unprofitable talk, but blasphemies against God, Christ, and the blessed Spirit; all which men will be accountable for another day.

Matthew 12:35 In-Context

33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
34 Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.
35 A good man produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil man produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.
36 I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak.
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Other mss read from the storehouse of his heart
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