What are idle words (Matthew 12:36)?

Response

Undoubtedly, words hold immense power. The words of God were so potent that they brought everything into existence (Genesis 1). Similarly, human words can wield significant influence. Solomon, in Proverbs 18:21, stated that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” This power of life and death is evident in court trials, where witnesses and jurors can utter words that may determine a defendant’s fate. Additionally, the impact of encouraging words in providing hope and joy, as well as the effect of discouraging words in causing dismay and depression, should not be underestimated.

Jesus emphasized accountability for our words, saying, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” «But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. », (Matthew 12:36). While the King James Version translates “every empty word” as “every idle word,” the ESV uses “every careless word.” The Greek term is rema argos, signifying “careless, inactive, or unprofitable words.” Jesus contrasts the words that reflect the goodness within a person with those that reveal evil intentions. Therefore, we are urged to be mindful of our words, as they reflect the contents of our hearts: “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of” «O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. », (Matthew 12:34).

In Matthew 12:37, Jesus highlights the importance of words in assessing a person’s spiritual state during judgment: “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Jesus addressed a group of Pharisees who had just accused Him of being deceitful.

Jesus rebukes the Pharisees in Matthew 12:24, calling them a “brood of vipers” and questioning, “How can you who are evil say anything good?” (verse 34). Just as vipers carry poison, the Pharisees spoke evil words about the Savior.

Jesus then warns the Pharisees about the impending judgment, where they will be answerable for their words, as stated in “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Matthew 12:37). A person’s heart is revealed by the words they speak. Just as good trees bear good fruit and bad trees bear bad fruit, the mouth reflects the heart’s state (verse 33).

Accountability extends beyond evil words. Jesus emphasizes that every “careless” or “idle” word will be subject to judgment. Even the smallest deviation from God’s perfection will lead to condemnation. While the Pharisees committed a grave sin by blaspheming the Lord, seemingly insignificant words, often dismissed as “slips of the tongue,” are sinful if they fail to glorify God. Verse 38 concludes Jesus’ teaching on this matter, as the scribes and Pharisees quickly changed the subject.

Further insights are provided in other passages. Ephesians 4:29 instructs, “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 3:8 acknowledges the difficulty of controlling the tongue: “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 4:11–12 warns against slandering one another, as it amounts to judging the law rather than upholding it.

“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you— who are you to judge your neighbor?”

Given the significant consequences of our words— even our “careless” ones— we must learn to yield our body’s members, including our tongues, to the control of the Holy Spirit— the only One who can tame the tongue. “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips” «Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; Keep the door of my lips. », (Psalm 141:3).