"He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."
Proverbs 13:3
“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life.”
Did you ever think that what you said or didn’t say could save your life? Yes, our words are important, for they show whoever hears us a portion of what is in our hearts. Jesus said, “…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). If we speak evil words, it may cause significant problems –
“…because evil speeches may provoke violence from others” [1] (JFB).
“Restraint in speech is a recurring theme in Proverbs” [2] (FSB).
“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19).
“Being careful about what one says helps keep him out of trouble” [3] (BKC).
“In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them” (Proverbs 14:3).
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23).
“Many a one is ruined by an ungoverned tongue” [4] (Henry).
“…the wise man protects his life” [5] (CSB).
“Keepeth His Mouth”
To “keep” something as here in Proverbs means to watch, to guard it. Indeed, we need to protect our words daily!
“As the guard keepeth the gates in a siege. God hath set a double guard of lips and teeth before this gate, and yet, unless he himself set the watch, and keep the door, all will be lost” [6] (Trapp – EWC)
“But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
This foolish person’s words come out like water from a firehose with no cut off! He doesn’t care who hears him or who he offends with his spray. His words are foolish and hurtful! They will bring about his fall.
“Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction” (Proverbs 10:14).
“By his reckless words, he makes promises he can’t keep, divulges private information, offends, or misrepresents. People learn not to depend on what he says and do not want to be around him. He may also suffer physically or financially” [7] (BKC).
This person is not discerning and speaks without discretion. They have no governor, no filter for their mouth.
“How often have the foolish, headstrong, and wicked, forfeited their lives by the treasonable or blasphemous words they have spoken! The government of the tongue is a rare but useful talent” [8] (Clarke).
Believers beware! We need to think before we speak. And we guard what our tongues talk, for we are the Ambassadors of the King of Kings! (2 Corinthians 5:20).
“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things” (Proverbs 15:28).
“It has often been remarked that God has, given us two EYES, that we may SEE much; two EARS, that we may HEAR much; but has given us, but ONE tongue and that fenced in with teeth, to indicate that though we hear and see much, we should speak but little” [9] (Clarke).
Quote: “The old Arab proverb is appropriate: ‘Take heed that your tongue does not cut your throat'” (Ross – EWC).
[1] JFB, Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 1 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 395.
[2] FSB, John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Pr 13:3.
[3] BKC, Sid S. Buzzell, “Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 932.
[4] Matthew Henry and Thomas Scott, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Pr 13:3.
[5] CSB, David K. Stabnow, “Proverbs,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 971.
[6] Trapp’s quote is from EWC – David Guzik. Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[7] BKC, ibid.
[8] ACC – Adam Clarke. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[9] ACC, ibid.