[As] apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season.
One sentence, said at the right moment, can do more than a long speech. This proverb sets a well-timed word beside a piece of fine craftsmanship, which raises a practical question: what makes a word fit?
The comparison is to something made with skill, though translators differ on exactly what object is in view.
In Proverbs 25:11 "apples of gold in pictures of silver" probably describes some piece of jewellery, judging from the words that follow right after; others prefer to translate it "carved images."
The gold and the silver are not rivals. One is the content; the other is the setting that shows it off.
On the other hand, a word spoken to the point, or in season, is compared here to apples of gold in baskets of silver — fruit of divine righteousness served with fitting grace.
The value lies in the timing as much as in the amount said. The proverb praises something small, deliberate and aimed.
In marked contrast to a "multitude of words," this is but "a word," yet spoken in the proper time and place to meet a particular need.
Speech is not a neutral tool. The same tongue that makes this piece of art can also do serious damage.
Speaking the right word at the right time is like rare art: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver" (Prov. 25:11). The tongues of sinful men, on the other hand, can be sharp instruments causing havoc: "They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the poison of snakes is under their lips" (Ps. 140:3). Even believers need this warning: the tongue, used the wrong way, can do great damage, like a small fire setting a great forest ablaze (Jas. 3:2-12).
One writer sees the two metals as pictures of definite subjects.
Apples are well known for giving health, and gold is a lovely symbol of the glory of God shown in the Person of Christ, just as light from the sun reveals the glory of the sun itself. Isn't it precious that this picture appears the moment the subject of ministry comes up? And the gold sits in a setting of silver, a picture of the work of the Lord Jesus in redemption.
One life met this standard in full. The same care marks the record of those words.
"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver," and "A word spoken in due season, how good it is." All the words of the Lord were like this. Each one came at its own time and in its own circumstance, and none was more fitly spoken than this word. In the written record of His words too, every one is placed by God.
A fit word also has an order: what comes first, and what can wait. A correction can be deserved and still come at the wrong moment.
Such a rebuke would be well deserved, but the One Who was speaking knew how "to speak a word in season to the one who is weary." Compassion came first; correction may follow.
A fit word can also be very short. Scripture gives an example: a captive servant girl in the house of Naaman, a Syrian army commander with leprosy, a disease of the skin.
Despite all this, this poor child was in the right place, at the right time, with the right aim, and in the right spirit to do the right thing. All the happy results that followed turned on her little word, so fitly spoken: "I wish my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria, for he would heal him of his leprosy." She seeks nothing for herself. She does not say, "I wish my master were relieved of his misery," but that he "were with the prophet." That is the first thing; bodily healing would follow.
Such words are not just for public speakers.
True, all are not evangelists in the sense of being public preachers, but all may evangelize by saying a word for the heart or conscience as the Lord gives opportunity. All that such a work needs is love for souls — a love which acts in harmony with the heart of Christ. Millions of souls will be in heaven at last, and will swell the song of the redeemed, who were brought to know the Lord by a word fitly spoken, by personal conversation and prayer.
- Fit — the praise falls on a word "spoken in season": one word, at the proper time and place, to meet a particular need.
- Gold — the content is solid: fruit of divine righteousness, read by some as the glory of Christ Himself.
- Silver — the setting matters as much as the metal. Serve truth with fitting grace; do not fling it.
- Order — with the weary, compassion comes first and correction can follow. A rebuke can be deserved and still come at the wrong time.
- Reach — a captive girl's one sentence changed a commander's life. Such a word needs love for souls, not a platform.
An ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover upon an attentive ear.
Nobody enjoys being told they are wrong. Yet this proverb calls a wise correction gold, and hangs it on the ear that will listen.
The proverb sits among sayings about speech that lands well. Where a leaked secret leaves lasting disgrace, the wise word does the opposite.
It is not so with such a blessed display of what is precious; for a wise reprover on an attentive ear is a prized object and an ornament of great value.
The verse names two ornaments, not one. Older translations read the first as an earring of gold, and the comment below follows that wording.
The "earring of gold" speaks of an influence that stirs the soul with motives of concern for the glory of God. It stirs these instead of self-interest, self-justification or self-pleasing. How precious is that ministry which directs souls altogether to the Lord and His own glory! As well as an earring of gold, it is "an ornament of fine gold," not only influencing the ear, but an adornment of the person.
The word "wise" carries the weight here. True service includes reproof, and the manner of it matters.
True ministry must reprove evil, whether privately or publicly. But this does not mean mere censure or impatience. This urgently needs lowly wisdom. The ministry must be given in the spirit of serving the need of souls, for the Lord's sake. This will have a real and precious effect upon every "obedient ear".
A rebuke can be sharp in content without being harsh in tone.
The oil makes the nail drive without splitting the board. The word never enters the heart more kindly than when it falls most gently: "Ride out victoriously... for the cause of truth and meekness" (Ps. 45:4). Be as rough to your people's sins as you can, so long as you are gentle to their souls. Do you take the rod of reproof into your hand? Let them see that love, not wrath, gives the blow. The word preached comes best from a warm heart.
Half the gold in this proverb belongs to the listener. The same words fall on two kinds of people and produce opposite results.
Correction and reproof are for those who have an ear to hear. They keep them from living in a way that contradicts what they profess. That is why we are told here to "reprove a wise man, and he will love you." A wise man may not always follow the path of wisdom; he may need reproof. A fool is one who never hears, though he is always ready to find fault. A wise man listens and weighs; when he recognises what is of God, he will love you.
Such an ear is rare, and no one produces it in himself.
The readiness to take reproof to heart is a rare and precious trait in anyone. Poverty and shame must belong to the one who has no ear for the instruction which enriches all, and which all need. But what honour falls to the wise and lowly mind that welcomes and weighs reproof! Grace alone can make it real.
The Lord Himself shows what a wise reprover looks like. He did not handle two men the same way.
When Peter was moved by the spirit of the world, the Lord exposed him on the spot, without sparing him: "Get behind me, Satan." But when John the Baptist sent Him a message that was a reproach to Him, the Lord did rebuke him, yet with marked consideration. He sent back a message that none but John himself could measure. No one else could feel its point and sting: "Blessed is the one who is not offended by me." Even John's disciples, who carried the messages between them, could not have understood this. They were not aware how their master had been feeling, and Jesus would not expose their master to them. He would expose John to himself, but not to them. The disciples going to Emmaus He rebuked in a very unusual way. He spoke a sharp word to them: "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe." Yet while He rebuked them, He warmed and blessed them. He spoke sharply to their ear, but He kindled their hearts.
He was sharp with one and gentle with another. Bellett also marks the limit of this kind of reproof.
I am speaking here of the Lord's dealing with His own. With opponents, or with the world, His rebuke was not really for correction, but in judgment. All His rebukes or reproofs were "earrings of gold" and "ornaments of fine gold" in themselves, and we may hope they commonly hung upon "obedient ears."
- Gold, not injury. Correction given well and taken well is treasure. The proverb ranks it with fine jewellery.
- Gold on the ear. The earring stirs concern for God's glory instead of self-interest. The ornament of fine gold goes further and adorns the whole person.
- Gold needs a wise hand. Reproof is part of true ministry, but not as censure or impatience. It takes lowly wisdom, and the aim of serving souls for the Lord's sake.
- Gold needs an open ear. A wise man listens, weighs, and ends up loving the one who corrected him. A fool never hears, though he is always ready to find fault.
- Gold seen in Christ. He matched each rebuke to the person. He exposed John to himself, not to onlookers. His reproofs were gold, and we may hope they found obedient ears.