English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
The ancient sages highly esteemed elegant and concise language. In Proverbs 25:11–14, Solomon presented a series of symbolic statements regarding speech with succinct sophistication. He began by saying, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver” «A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. », (Proverbs 25:11, ESV). With this maxim, Solomon emphasized the importance of good counsel.
The word translated as “fitly” in Proverbs 25:11 occurs only here in the Old Testament, making its exact meaning somewhat uncertain. Some translators connect it to an Arabic word meaning “time.” If this is correct, a word fitly spoken seems to imply “a word spoken at the right time” (CSB) or “at the proper time” (NASB). The New Living Translation agrees with this interpretation: “Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.” The New English Bible also supports this concept, describing the word spoken “fitly” as being “in season.”
Other translators link the original Hebrew term with a word that means “wheel,” thus translating the modifier as “well-turned” or “well-spoken” as in “artfully expressed.” The NET Bible concurs: “Like apples of gold in settings of silver, so is a word skillfully spoken.”
The “apples of gold in a setting of silver” appear to refer to exquisitely crafted ornamental jewelry or artwork. The language suggests a design that has been etched, sculpted, or engraved in silver, like filigree. This interpretation reinforces the idea that well-spoken words possess attractive and valuable qualities because skill and artistry have been employed in crafting them.
Proverbs 25:12 continues the jewelry imagery: “To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry” (NLT). Just as a beautifully constructed filigree necklace is p
Pleasing to the eye, a word fitly spoken is to the ear. The delicacy of the piece attracts the eye, just as a carefully chosen comment pricks the heart and mind.
“Especially to give a reproof with discretion, and so as to make it acceptable,” explains Bible commentator Matthew Henry. “If it is well given, by a wise reprover, and well taken, by an obedient ear, it is an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold, very graceful and well becoming both the reprover and the reproved; both will have their praise, the reprover for giving it so prudently and the reproved for taking it so patiently and making good use of it. Others will commend them both, and they will have satisfaction in each other; he who gave the reproof is pleased that it had the desired effect, and he to whom it was given has reason to be thankful for it as a kindness” (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Hendrickson, 1994, p. 1,012).
Proverbs 15:23 agrees that a word fitly spoken pleases both the speaker and listener: “A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!”
The Bible is abundantly clear that our words are important. “The tongue has the power of life and death,” says Proverbs 18:21. What we say can either destroy lives or save them «The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. », (Proverbs 12:6). Jesus said, “And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you” (Matthew 12:36-37;NLT).
The apostle Paul taught that fitly spoken words— words that fit the occasion— build up those who hear them: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace.To those who hear” «Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. », (Ephesians 4:29, ESV). We can either tear people down with our words or let our conversation become a channel of grace and life as Jesus Christ did: “Everyone spoke well of him [Jesus] and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips” «And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son? », (Luke 4:22, NLT).
A word fitly spoken will give grace to the hearer and be attractive, pleasant, desirable, and full of God’s wisdom. Paul told the Colossians, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” «Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. », (Colossians 4:6). Even a challenging word of rebuke or discipline can be phrased so gently and tactfully that it is accepted and even prized as a valuable jewel. When we make use of carefully crafted words that dignify rather than denigrate the hearer, not only do we bless the recipient, but we benefit as well with the joy of knowing our words were well-received and put to good use.
