Mouths and Tongues

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. 

Proverbs 21:23 NIV

We've considered a number of linguistic principles when analysing scripture. Another is to consider the words used and their significance.

Often we can question why someone said what they said or why they said something in a specific way. This can be revealing.

Proverbs 21:23 speaks to 'mouths' and 'tongues.' Why the need to add tongues? If we keep our mouth shut then we are unable to say anything. This on its own would seem sufficient yet there is the need to add the word 'tongues.' By controlling our tongue, we can build stronger relationships, avoid conflicts and protect our own well being.

It is not merely enough to keep our mouths shut which can seem an impossible task, the additional information speaks to how James 3:6 compares the tongue to fire.

The order of priority speaks to mouth and then tongue. It serves as a poignant reminder. The addition of what appears unnecessary information, makes it doubly important to the writer for it to be said.

Ephesians 4:29 NIV says, 'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.'

James 1:19 NIV provides similar advice, 'My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.'

It is better to be an elephant than an alligator. We have two ears and one mouth and it's helpful if they are used accordingly.

We can gain a lot more information if we read the Bible by the vocabulary and not just the content.