The use and abuse of the mouth has a large place in the verses which come into review. Yet how small is the circle pursued compared with the vast range which scripture touches elsewhere! There is much in the O. T. which sets forth its evil; but in the N. T. it is exposed more deeply still, and in no part so much as the Epistle of James.
“When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth; and when the wicked perish, [there is] shouting.
By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted; but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
He that despiseth his neighbor is void of heart; but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
He that goeth about tale-bearing revealeth secrets; but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Where no advice [is] the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors [there is] safety.
It goeth ill with him that is surety for a stranger; but he that hateth suretyship is secure” (vers. 10-15).
The impious person of ver. 9 described as ruining his neighbor with his mouth must have been as deceitful as mischievous. We can understand therefore why it should be narrowed to “a hypocrite." Certainly he covers his neighbor with his defiling imputation so as to injure and destroy, as far as his intention could. But God takes care of the righteous in their unsuspecting simplicity, and gives knowledge, so that they are delivered.
Again, whatever may be the of men provoked by a course of life which silently condemns them, conscience is forced to justify the true-hearted. Hence, when it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices. Compare Esther 8:15-1715And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. 16The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honor. 17And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them. (Esther 8:15‑17). Just so, when downfall comes to the notoriously wicked, men cannot disguise their loud satisfaction.
Further, good fruit is expected to others from the upright. “By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.” Here the public ruin is attributed to the same source as that which destroys private reputation. A veil of piety but adds to the iniquity and to the mischief.
Next, we are told where silence is golden, both by contrast and directly: “He that despiseth his neighbor is void of heart.” Where is his sense, where is propriety, to say nothing of the love and fear of God? It is certain that the Highest despises not any. What can a creature's state be who forgets either the body made of dust, or the soul from the inbreathing of Jehovah Elohim? Least of all does it suit Him Who died to save the lost. “A man of understanding holdeth his peace” in such a case, unless there be a divine obligation to speak out. “He that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter; whereas he that goeth about as a slanderer revealeth secrets.” To receive nothing so said, and to reprove the tale-bearer, will soon check and put such to shame; to repeat slanderous tales is to share the guilt and the mischief.
On the other hand there are those whom God sets as watchmen, and who are therefore bound to warn; as again the humble rejoice to be helped in their difficulties, instead of decrying those who have more discernment than themselves. “Where no advice is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Whatever the haughty spirit of independence may aspire to, there are chief men, or guides, among God's people; and none can ignore or slight them but to their own loss. The Holy Spirit does not lead to self-conceit but to unfeigned humility and to cordial value for fellowship.
But to be surety for another is quite another thing from either giving or taking counsel. “It goeth ill with him that is surety for a stranger; but he that hateth suretyship is secure.” Yet He Who was best and wisest deigned to be surety for us where suffering followed to the uttermost; but as He knew beforehand, so He endured it all for us to God's glory. In our way and measure we too may incur the risk; but we should do it only where we are prepared to stand the forfeit, and we can do it considerately and honorably. Otherwise it is right as well as safe to refuse. But speculation without or beyond means is wholly unjustifiable; it is not kindness but rather dishonesty.