◄ Proverbs 13:2 ►
From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence.
Study Bible
From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things
This phrase emphasizes the power of words and speech. In biblical context, the "fruit of his lips" suggests that what a person speaks can lead to tangible outcomes, much like how a tree bears fruit. Proverbs often highlights the importance of wise and righteous speech (Proverbs 12:14, Proverbs 18:20-21). The idea is that words can produce positive results, such as peace, prosperity, and favor. In the New Testament, James 3:5-6 discusses the power of the tongue, reinforcing the idea that speech can have significant consequences. The "good things" enjoyed by a man can be seen as blessings or rewards that come from speaking truthfully and wisely, aligning with the biblical principle that righteousness leads to life and prosperity (Proverbs 10:11).

but the desire of the faithless is violence
This part contrasts the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked. The "faithless" refers to those who lack fidelity to God and His commandments. In biblical terms, faithlessness often leads to moral decay and destructive behavior. The "desire" of such individuals is inclined towards violence, indicating a heart that is not aligned with God's will. This reflects the broader biblical theme that wickedness leads to chaos and destruction (Proverbs 4:17, Isaiah 59:7). The cultural context of ancient Israel, where community and covenant faithfulness were paramount, underscores the severity of being faithless. The contrast between the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked is a recurring theme in Proverbs, illustrating the moral order established by God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God.

2. The Wise Man
Represents those who speak wisely and righteously, leading to positive outcomes and blessings in their lives.

3. The Faithless
Refers to individuals who lack faith and integrity, often leading to destructive desires and actions.

4. The Fruit of the Lips
A metaphor for the words and speech of a person, indicating that what one says can lead to either positive or negative consequences.

5. Violence
Represents the destructive outcomes and chaos that result from the desires and actions of the faithless.
Teaching Points
The Power of Words
Our words have the power to build up or tear down. Speaking wisely and righteously can lead to blessings and positive outcomes in our lives.

The Consequences of Faithlessness
A lack of faith and integrity often leads to destructive desires and actions. We must guard our hearts and align our desires with God's will.

Cultivating Righteous Speech
As believers, we should strive to speak words that reflect our faith and bring glory to God. This involves being intentional about our speech and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Importance of Integrity
Living a life of integrity involves aligning our words and actions with God's truth. This leads to a life that is fruitful and pleasing to God.

Accountability for Our Words
We will be held accountable for the words we speak. It is crucial to be mindful of our speech and ensure it reflects our commitment to Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we ensure that the "fruit of our lips" leads to good things in our daily interactions?

2. In what ways can the desires of the faithless lead to violence, and how can we guard against such desires in our own lives?

3. How does the teaching in Proverbs 13:2 relate to the concept of the "fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22-23?

4. What practical steps can we take to cultivate righteous speech and avoid the pitfalls of careless words?

5. How does understanding the power of words in Proverbs 13:2 influence our approach to communication within our families and communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 3:5-6
This passage discusses the power of the tongue, emphasizing how small words can lead to great consequences, much like the "fruit of the lips" in Proverbs 13:2.

Matthew 12:36-37
Jesus teaches about the accountability of our words, which aligns with the idea that the fruit of our lips can bring either good or bad outcomes.

Galatians 5:22-23
The fruit of the Spirit includes qualities that lead to good things, contrasting with the desires of the faithless that lead to violence.
Sermons
The Wisdom of Docility, Etc.: a Sermon to the YoungW. Clarkson Proverbs 13:1, 13, 18
A Guard Upon the LipsProverbs 13:2-3
Man SpeakingD. Thomas, D.D.Proverbs 13:2-3
Natural RetaliationR. Wardlaw.Proverbs 13:2-3
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
FALSE, Crave, Craving, Desire, Eat, Eateth, Eats, Enjoys, Faithless, Fruit, Lips, Man's, Mouth, Soul, Transgressors, Treacherous, Unfaithful, Violence, Violent
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 13:2

     5846   enjoyment
     5975   violence
     8840   unfaithfulness, to God

Proverbs 13:2-3

     5164   lips

Library
The Tillage of the Poor
'Much food is in the tillage of the poor.'--PROVERBS xiii. 23. Palestine was a land of small peasant proprietors, and the institution of the Jubilee was intended to prevent the acquisition of large estates by any Israelite. The consequence, as intended, was a level of modest prosperity. It was 'the tillage of the poor,' the careful, diligent husbandry of the man who had only a little patch of land to look after, that filled the storehouses of the Holy Land. Hence the proverb of our text arose. It …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Poor Rich and the Rich Poor
'There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.'--PROVERBS xiii. 7. Two singularly-contrasted characters are set in opposition here. One, that of a man who lives like a millionaire and is a pauper; another, that of a man who lives like a pauper and is rich. The latter character, that of a man who hides and hoards his wealth, was, perhaps, more common in the days when this collection of Proverbs was put together, because in all ill-governed …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Practical Methods of Studying the Old Testament
[Sidenote: The various methods of approach] The Old Testament may be studied as literature, as history, as the record of an important stage in the evolution of religion, as the revelation of God to the race, or as a practical aid to the individual in living the true life. Each angle of approach calls for different methods and yields its correspondingly rich results. Studied in accordance with the canons of modern literary investigation, a literature is disclosed of surpassing variety, beauty, and …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

The Song of the Redeemed
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou ... hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation ... T he extent, variety, and order of the creation, proclaim the glory of God. He is likewise, ^* Maximus in Minimis . The smallest of the works, that we are capable of examining, such for instance as the eye or the wing of a little insect, the creature of a day, are stamped with an inimitable impression of His wisdom and power. Thus in His written Word, there …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

"And this is his Commandment," &C.
1 John iii. 23.--"And this is his commandment," &c. There are different tempers of mind among men, some more smooth and pliable, others more refractory and froward. Some may be persuaded by love, who cannot be constrained by fear. With some a request will more prevail than a command. Others again are of a harsher disposition. Love and condescension doth rather embolden them, and therefore they must be restrained with the bridle of authority. It would seem that the Lord hath some regard to this in …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Second Sunday after Easter
Text: First Peter 2, 20-25. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth God's Favour and Countenance.
The sixth case, that we shall speak a little to, is a deadness, occasioned by the Lord's hiding of himself, who is their life, and "the fountain of life," Ps. xxxvi. 9, and "whose loving-kindness is better than life," Ps. lxiii. 3, and "in whose favour is their life," Ps. xxx. 5. A case, which the frequent complaints of the saints manifest to be rife enough, concerning which we shall, 1. Shew some of the consequences of the Lord's hiding his face, whereby the soul's case will appear. 2. Shew the …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory Not," &C.
James iii. 14.--"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not," &c. It is a common evil of those who hear the gospel, that they are not delivered up to the mould and frame of religion that is holden out in it, but rather bring religion into a mould of their own invention. It was the special commendation of the Romans, that they obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine into which they were delivered, (Rom. vi. 17) that they who were once servants, or slaves of sin, had now …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and his Righteousness, and all These Things Shall be Added unto You. "
Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glorious do they appear, and without spot! But behold, they are not clean in God's sight! How far are the angels above us who dwell in clay! They appear to be a pure mass of light and …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
Having spoken of the general notion of blessedness, I come next to consider the subjects of this blessedness, and these our Saviour has deciphered to be the poor in spirit, the mourners, etc. But before I touch upon these, I shall attempt a little preface or paraphrase upon this sermon of the beatitudes. 1 Observe the divinity in this sermon, which goes beyond all philosophy. The philosophers use to say that one contrary expels another; but here one contrary begets another. Poverty is wont to expel …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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