Life and Death Are in the Power of the Tongue

Proverbs 18:21 reads, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” King James Version (KJV)

Also, see the meaning of His Ways Are Not Our Ways

The Power of the Tongue: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

18:19. Great care must be taken to prevent quarrels among relations and those under obligations to each other. Wisdom and grace make it easy to forgive; but corruption makes it difficult.

20. The belly is here put for the heart, as elsewhere; and what that is filled with, our satisfaction will be accordingly, and our inward peace. 21. Many a one has caused his own death, or the death of others, by a false or injurious tongue.

22. A good wife is a great blessing to a man, and it is a token of Divine favour. 23. Poverty tells men they must not order or demand. And at the throne of God’s grace we are all poor, and must use entreaties.

24. Christ Jesus never will forsake those who trust in and love him. May we be such friends to others, for our Master’s sake. Having loved his own, which were in the world, he loved them unto the end; and we are his friends if we do whatever he commands us, Joh 15:14.

Also, see the meaning of No One Comes to the Father

Proverbs 18:21 | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

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; 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 justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Also, see the meaning of I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me