What does it mean that every word of God is pure (Proverbs 30:5)?

" Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it" (v.140)

The word 'pure' used here comes from the refining process. Metals are refined by getting rid of impurities - once thoroughly refined they are pure. We have already noted that God's word is true , but this is an extra quality. There are many things that may be true, but not pure. But because God is pure, God's word is intrinsically pure.

"Every word of God is pure: He is a shield Unto them that put their trust in Him."

Revelation is the only answer. In order to be known, the Creator must reveal Himself. Simple, honest reasoning should lead anyone to this conclusion. His Word is this revelation, and it is of course absolutely pure in every part of it. It is not a mixture, but preserved totally free from adulteration. Only they who trust it are shielded from falsehood. Faith, not intellect therefore, is the principle that receives this revelation. Unbelief is really stupidity here, for any honest consideration must come to the conclusion that if a revelation of God is made, the only possible right attitude on man's part is to believe it. And the God who reveals Himself is the Shield of all who put their trust in Him. How simple, and how wonderful.

"Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou he found a liar."

Yet meanwhile, "the words of the Lord are pure words" for those who simply bow to His will. Will we not be preserved by these? What a refuge for our souls when evil threatens from every side! For His word is "like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." Of course, His word requires no purifying, but silver requires purifying seven times in order to be only a symbol of the word of God. Seven speaks of completeness, indicating that God's Word is completely pure. What a contrast to the contemptible words of boastful men! While men's words quickly perish, God's words are kept forever, preserved from all the attacks of the enemy, preserved from "this generation" of evildoers, so that the truth of God's words will abide for eternity (v. 6).

(vv. 6-7) The words of the Lord. In contrast to the vain, flattering and boastful words of men, the godly have the pure words of the Lord in which there is no admixture of dross. Relying on these pure words the righteous are assured that they will be kept and preserved from this generation — those marked by the lawless spirit of the age — even though the wicked walk on every side in a day when godliness is at a discount and “vileness is exalted” (JND).

Jehovah's word comes here into swift opposition to all this; yet it is love and pity that move Him to action, — the oppression of the poor, the sighing of the needy. His promise pledges His interference; whereupon faith celebrates, before this comes, the "pure" words of the Lord, unmixed with any alloy of insincerity or untruth, — words that are like silver, the current medium of exchange, completely purified.

The Bible must be perfect. Being God's words they could not be otherwise, for all His works, whether in creation or redemption, bear the stamp of being perfect. "The law [or doctrine] of Jehovah is perfect converting the soul;" and "His way is perfect.” (Ps. 18:30; Ps. 19:7.) Again we read, "The words of Jehovah are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times," and that "Every word of God is pure." (Ps. 12:6; Prov. 30:5.) The Bible must be perfect, because, as we hope we have fully proved, it emanates from God.

Scripture references to the Word of God are many and varied, and in their entirety quite beyond the scope of this paper. We can but call attention to a very few. Without question the Word of God is able to meet every problem — physical, moral or spiritual. In Proverbs 30:5 we read — "Every word is very (exceeding) pure." What a resource in this world of impurity and evil! "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word" (Psalm 119:9). With but two or three exceptions every verse in this Psalm of 176 verses refers in some way to the importance of God's Word for His people. John in his first epistle speaks of the young men as strong and able to overcome the wicked one — the Word of God having an abiding place with them. Truly victorious living. Do we not see the perfect expression of this in our blessed Lord when tempted of the devil in the wilderness? It is by this same word that we are "sanctified" — set apart from all that is inconsistent with the truth (John 17:17); it is by the "washing of water by the Word," under the skilful hand of Christ, that believers are sanctified and cleansed to be presented eventually "without spot" (Ephesians 5). Beloved, as He, our precious Lord, left this scene "without spot" (Hebrews 9:14 — ever intrinsically thus) so shall we, through the activities of His ceaseless love, be presented to Himself "without spot."

That long journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus was filled out with what He was saying to those who would listen to Him, their hearts burned as He spoke to them. His word is pure. Oh the impurity of the sounds that fill this world today! But every word of God is pure, and who can bring home to us the preciousness and purity of the Word of God as the One who is the Eternal Word, the Living Word? To sit at His blessed feet and to allow Him to speak to us of the glorious things of God which He knows so well. His word is pure. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word." Thus our ways shall be morally clean to this immoral world, in this amoral world, and found to be in accord with the mind of God. Mary listened to the purity of His word, and responded to Him in a purity of affection that is unique to herself (John 12). The word of God is powerful. The Apostle John (in speaking to the young) says — "The Word of God abides in you." In this way there is ability to overcome the world; problems arise at work, at school or in the office — you are confronted with questions by men who have no regard for Christ or His Word and ofttimes there are difficulties which seem incapable of explaining, but the Word of God will so affect your heart and mind and thoughts that you will be able to overcome every worldly influence that Satan, the god of this world, can bring against you. To sit at His feet and listen to His Word in all its purity, in all its power.

That the blessed God, Eternal, Majestic in glory and power, should deign to speak to men is at once most blessed and withal challenging in its character. Blessed indeed since by it we have been introduced into a sphere of unspeakable joy — "Being born again …. by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23). The precious gift of faith the principle upon which "the just shall live" (Galatians 3:11); that by which, amongst other things, the believer is "justified" (Romans 5:2); is sanctified (Acts 26:18); has power to overcome the world (1 John 5:4); wisdom to discern the hand of the Creator (Hebrews 11:3); comes to us by the medium of that same Word — "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). The Word of God is the spiritual sustenance of the believer — "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God" (Luke 4:4). What purity of motive and conduct would thus ensue, for "every Word of God is pure"!

But in immediate subsequence let us note what scripture adds. "And Jehovah Elohim made for Adam and for his wife coats of skin, and clothed them." It nay suit an infidel to see nothing in this but letter and perhaps triviality. A believer is entitled to find and enjoy what is worthy of the only true God. Yet faith does not make haste but waits for God and His word. Imagination which adds to scripture is no more of God than the free-thinking which stumbles at the word, being disobedient. As every word of God is pure or tried, and He is a shield to those that put their trust in Him, so let none add to His words, "lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." Our wisdom is to draw from scripture what God put into it.