Proverbs 21:23

"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."

- Proverbs 21:23(KJV)

[i]The follwoing is taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible, as it appears in e-sword. The entry is from this passage, Proverbs 21:23.[/i]

[b]Pro 21:23 - Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue[/b],....

Guards the one and bridles the other; is careful of what he says, that it is truth, and without dissimulation and guile; and is not injurious to the characters of men, and is not offensive and provoking; who abstains from ill and wrathful language, and which tends to stir up wrath and contention. Aben Ezra distinguishes between the mouth and tongue, and interprets it, that keeps his mouth from eating, that is, immoderately and intemperately; and his tongue from speaking evil: but it is best to understand both of the same thing, of speech or language, which when a man is careful of, he

[b]keepeth his soul from troubles[/b];

his conscience clear of guilt and distress, and his person from being concerned in quarrels, contentions, and lawsuits, which such who give their tongues too much liberty are involved in.

Aben Ezra distinguishes between the mouth and tongue, and interprets it, that keeps his mouth from eating, that is, immoderately and intemperately;

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Pv 18:21

In my NKJ Bible it says in Pv 18:8, the words of a talebearer are as "tasty trifles"; although the KJ says "they are as wounds", which I found interesting.

One of my recent scriptures of the year (those that were always brought to the forefront of my heart in many situations for at least an entire year..):

"The poor uses entreaties, but the rich answer roughly." Pv 18:23

(Since being of a "poor spirit" is blessed to Christ, I found that needing to learn the essence and practice of this to be of great importance.)

God bless,
Lori

Lori,

'"The poor uses entreaties, but the rich answer roughly." Pv 18:23

(Since being of a "poor spirit" is blessed to Christ, I found that needing to learn the essence and practice of this to be of great importance.)'

This is really neat. The thought has come to mind more than once recently how often the Apostles, especially Paul, use the word rendered [i]beseech[/i] in the KJV.

It appears for instance, in Romans 12:1. The entry in Vincent's Word Studies makes refrence to Luke 6:24 where it is renderd [i]consolation[/i] and the entry there, which is somewhat lengthy, begins this way under [i]consolation[/i]

[b]Consolation[/b]

(παράκλησις)

From παρά, to the side of, and καλέω, to call or summon. Literally, a calling to one's side to help; and therefore entreaty, passing on into the sense of exhortation, and thence into that of consolatory exhortation;

I get the sense of one saying almost 'help me, brothers, to be of help to you'.

In an article titled [i]Undiscerned Spiritual Pride[/i], Jonathan Edwards says

"Christian humility, under a sense of others’ misery, entreats and beseeches, but spiritual pride commands and warns with authority."

Excellent brother,

Would imagine you might have also seen the Matthew Henry entry, but for others;

[b]Pro 21:23[/b] -
Note, 1. It is our great concern to keep our souls from straits, being entangled in snares and perplexities, and disquieted with troubles, that we may preserve the possession and enjoyment of ourselves and that our souls may be in frame for the service of God.

2. Those that would keep their souls must keep a watch before the door of their lips, must [i]keep the mouth[/i] by temperance, that no forbidden fruit go into it, no stolen waters, that nothing be eaten or drunk to excess; they must [i]keep the tongue[/i] also, that no forbidden word go out of the door of the lips, no corrupt communication.

By a constant watchfulness over our words we shall prevent abundance of mischiefs which an ungoverned tongue runs men into. Keep thy heart, and that will keep thy tongue from sin; keep thy tongue, and that will keep thy heart from trouble.

([i]Italics extant[/i])

This is really neat. The thought has come to mind more than once recently how often the Apostles, especially Paul, use the word rendered [i]beseech[/i] in the KJV.

This is neat! Learning some things, really liked this; "[i]I get the sense of one saying almost 'help me, brothers, to be of help to you'[/i]."

Pro 18:23 The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

[b]Entreaties[/b]
[b]H8469[/b]
תּחנוּנה תּחנוּן
tachănûn tachănûnâh
takh-an-oon', takh-an-oo-naw'
From H2603; earnest prayer: - intreaty, supplication.

[i]And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.[/i] Luk 18:13

"Lord, I cry unto Thee:
make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee...

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity:
[b]and let me not eat of their danties[/b]

Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil,
which shall not break my head:
for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities." Ps 141:1-5

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Luk 18:13

Amen! Those who first beseech, with entreaties, God, are those who can be prepared to beseech their brethren.

Brother Mike, very good to hear from you :-)

Lori brought up Proverbs 18:23, and you brought to mind Luke 18:13. This passage has come to mind also, and I have wanted to share it with you all also, where Paul writes

"Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We [i]are[/i] fools for Christ's sake, but ye [i]are[/i] wise in Christ; we [i]are[/i] weak, but ye [i]are[/i] strong; ye [i]are[/i] honorable, but we [i]are[/i] despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [i]and are[/i] the offscouring of all things unto this day."

- 1 Corinthians 4:8-13(KJV)

He says

[i]Being defamed, we entreat[/i]

And then he says

[i]...Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. [/i]

Lori,

'...Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness; and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil,
which shall not break my head:
for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities." Ps 141:1-5'

[i]...it shall be an excellent oil,
which shall not break my head[/i]

This seems really deep to me!

As I have been meditating on this some things have come to mind and stood out to me.

For instance, how David described the unity of brethren in Psalm 133. And then I came across this passage in Ephesians 4 where Paul writes,

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

- Ephesians 4:1-3(KJV)

And then in 2 Corinthians where he says...

"Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ..."

"And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him."

- John 1:32(KJV)

"A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth."

- Isaiah 42:3(KJV)

"The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way."

- Psalm 25:9(KJV)

chrisJD quoted:

"Christian humility, under a sense of others’ misery, entreats and beseeches, but spiritual pride commands and warns with authority."

God forgive me for having the attitude of pride when dealing with others, especially in my own home.

Here is a quote from John Wesley,

"Anytime you feel contempt towards another person, instead of their sin, it is a sure sign that you more highly of yourself than ye ought"

OUCH!

To Lori.. Hi dear sister, thank you for the scriptures from Proverbs, they are very timely for me. Blessed are the poor in spirit...

I pray for you often, miss your fellowship, trusting that you are praying for me too.

Love, sincerely bonni

That scripture in Ps 133:

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious ointment upon the head,
that ran down upon the beard,
even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garment"

(In other words, it overflowed upon him, soaking him. I'm sure that it's fragrance followed him wherever he went, whatever he did, whatever conversation he had.)

Do you suppose that our conversations, our words have a fragrance to them?
Not in the sense of a literal frangrance, of course, but that sense as one gets when a lingering fragrance has left the room. It's odor pleasant or not leaves an impression.

(this scripture came to mind...)
2 Corintians 2:14-16 "For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ.."

"Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ..."

[i]"But let it be the hidden man of the heart,
in that which is not corruptible,
even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." [/i]
I Peter 3:1

(Though I certainly have more learning needed on this issue, I found what Watchman Nee said of great interest: "If God finds these qualities of great price and precious, then I want them.")

So then from these scriptures, it seems to me that the words that come out of our mouth, originate in our hearts.

(It is a very serious and convicting lesson to be learning, of which [b]I pray that I am learning [/b] well. As it has been a long process.)

And our hearts needing to be made in that image of Christ: in that hidden man;
then our conversation, our manner of speech, our words, our tongue, the doorway of our lips will be the fruit of that relationship.

"By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is,
the fruit of our lips
giving thanks to His name." Heb.13:15

Much food to chew on.
thank you,
In Christ

- 1 Corinthians 4:8-13(KJV)

He says

[i]Being defamed, we entreat[/i]

And then he says

[i]...Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. [/i]

As I had been considering this I happened to be reading in 2 Timothy last night and I came across this which stood out to me, I hope you don't mind if I share it:

[i]For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner:
[b] but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God[/b][/i]

be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel

according to the power of God

Great stuff! Thanks for sharing!

:-)

crsschk wrote:
Excellent brother,

Would imagine you might have also seen the Matthew Henry entry, but for others;

[b]Pro 21:23[/b] -
Note, 1. It is our great concern to keep our souls from straits, being entangled in snares and perplexities, and disquieted with troubles, that we may preserve the possession and enjoyment of ourselves and that our souls may be in frame for the service of God.

2. Those that would keep their souls must keep a watch before the door of their lips, must [i]keep the mouth[/i] by temperance, that no forbidden fruit go into it, no stolen waters, that nothing be eaten or drunk to excess; they must [i]keep the tongue[/i] also, that no forbidden word go out of the door of the lips, no corrupt communication.

By a constant watchfulness over our words we shall prevent abundance of mischiefs which an ungoverned tongue runs men into. Keep thy heart, and that will keep thy tongue from sin; keep thy tongue, and that will keep thy heart from trouble.

([i]Italics extant[/i])

This is really neat. The thought has come to mind more than once recently how often the Apostles, especially Paul, use the word rendered [i]beseech[/i] in the KJV.

This is neat! Learning some things, really liked this; "[i]I get the sense of one saying almost 'help me, brothers, to be of help to you'[/i]."

Pro 18:23 The poor useth entreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

[b]Entreaties[/b]
[b]H8469[/b]
תּחנוּנה תּחנוּן
tachănûn tachănûnâh
takh-an-oon', takh-an-oo-naw'
From H2603; earnest prayer: - intreaty, supplication.

[i]And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.[/i] Luk 18:13