What does Proverbs 18:21 mean?

This proverb notes the often-ignored fact that words are powerful. Verbal attacks, themselves, cannot break bones. However, speech can inspire positive or negative responses. It can build up, or it can tear apart. This follows other Scriptures which note the immense power of our words (Proverbs 10:19; 15:1–4; James 3:5–8).

Solomon also notes that speech comes with consequences for the speaker (Matthew 12:36; Proverbs 18:20). A common English proverb says, "those who live by the sword will die by the sword," adapting one of Jesus' comments (Matthew 26:52). In this statement from the book of Proverbs, one might say a person who "lives by their words" will "die by their words." Life-giving, healthy, considered words can bring someone success and safety (Proverbs 15:23). Poisonous, deceptive, or hurtful words can bring disaster (Proverbs 18:6).

The prophet Isaiah predicted that at some point, the Messiah would be oppressed and afflicted yet choose not to speak in His own defense. Old Testament prophecy compared Jesus to a lamb led to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7). When Jesus was on trial, He was completely innocent of any crime, but He did not return insults for insults. Even so, the Sanhedrin, the court that tried Him, hired false witnesses and subsequently condemned Jesus to die on a cross.

Believers' words may result in eternal life for those who believe the message of the gospel (Acts 5:20). However, those who refuse to believe will suffer eternal death.