Proverbs 10:21

21 The lips of a just man teach full many men; but they that be unlearned shall die in neediness of heart. (The lips of the righteous teach a great many people; but they who be ignorant, shall die without any understanding.)

Proverbs 10:21 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the righteous feed many
Not their bodies; words are but wind, and will not feed; it is not enough to say to the distressed, "be ye warmed and filled", and give nothing; unless this can be understood of obtaining food for others by their prayers, as Jarchi interprets it: but the souls of many; these the righteous feed, by communicating the spiritual knowledge and understanding of divine things they are partakers of; by setting before them the bread of life, the honey and milk of the Gospel, they have under their tongue; and by the good counsel and advice, comforts and admonitions, they give them; see ( Jeremiah 3:15 ) ( Song of Solomon 4:11 ) ; but fools die for want of wisdom:
not a corporeal death, which is common to men of every rank and quality; wise men die even as fools; but they continue under the power of a spiritual death, for want of enlightening and quickening grace, and so die an eternal death: not for want of natural wisdom, which they may have a greater share of than those who live spiritually and eternally; but for want of spiritual wisdom and knowledge; the knowledge of Christ, and the way of life and salvation by him, and the knowledge of God in Christ; and not always for the want of the means of such wisdom and knowledge; as the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation; and the Gospel, which is the wisdom of God in a mystery; but through the neglect and contempt of them: though sometimes men perish through want of the means of knowledge, and the neglect of those who should instruct them, ( Hosea 4:6 ) .

Proverbs 10:21 In-Context

19 Sin shall not fail in much speaking; but he that measureth his lips, is most prudent. (Sin shall abound with much speaking; but he who ruleth his lips, is most prudent.)

20 Chosen silver is the tongue of a just man; the heart of wicked men is for nought. (Like chosen silver is the tongue of a righteous person; but the hearts of the wicked be worth nothing.)

21 The lips of a just man teach full many men; but they that be unlearned shall die in neediness of heart. (The lips of the righteous teach a great many people; but they who be ignorant, shall die without any understanding.)

22 The blessing of the Lord maketh rich men (The blessing of the Lord maketh people rich); and torment shall not be fellowshipped to them.

23 A fool worketh wickedness as by laughing; but wisdom is prudence to a man/but prudence is to a wise man. (A fool worketh wickedness with laughter; but wisdom is a delight to those with understanding.)