What is the benefit of a word fitly spoken (Proverbs 25:11)?

But on the other hand, our lips may be used in a most refreshing and profitable way. The succeeding verses of this chapter seem to dwell greatly upon the principles of ministry among the people of God. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." 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. Apples are well known for their health-imparting qualities, and gold is a lovely symbol of the glory of God manifested in the Person of Christ, as the light from the sun reveals the glory of that orb. Is it not precious to see this type immediately the subject of ministry is introduced? Also, it is seen in a setting of silver, a type of the work of the Lord Jesus in redemption. How wonderful a basis is this for the ministry of the Spirit of God among His saints! How fruitful and sweet it is to speak of the glory of the Person of the Lord Jesus and the perfection of His work!

But on the other hand our lips may be used in a most refreshing and profitable way. The succeeding verses of this chapter seem to dwell greatly upon the principles of ministry among the people of God. "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." In marked contrast to "a multitude of words," this is but "a word," but spoken in the proper time and place to meet a particular need. Apples are well known for their health-imparting qualities, and gold is a lovely symbol of the glory of God manifested in the Person of Christ, as the light from the sun reveals the golden glory of that heavenly orb. Is it not precious to see this type immediately the subject of ministry is introduced? Moreover, it is seen in a setting of silver, a type of the work of the Lord Jesus in redemption. What a basis is all of this for the ministry of the Spirit of God among His saints! When Paul writes to Timothy of proper behavior "in the house of God, which is the church of the Living God, the pillar and ground of the truth," he immediately adds that which is the basic truth to which the church is responsible to bear witness: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into Glory" (1 Tim. 3:15. 16). The glory of the Person of the Lord Jesus and the perfection of His finished work is thus our precious burden of ministry. How fruitful it is to speak of this, - and how honoring to our God and Father. Moreover, what an antidote for the distress so commonly caused by unprofitable words!

On the other hand, a word spoken to the point, or in season, is here compared to apples of gold in baskets of silver — fruit of divine righteousness served up with befitting grace.

Thus too one learns to help others, when speech is well considered, timely, and sought for. "A man has joy (not pride) in the answer of his mouth." Others too reap the profit, as he desires; for "a word in season, how good is it!"

"A man has joy by the answer of his mouth." Of course, this supposes that his answer is good, and therefore of value to the questions addressed, which is confirmed by the additional words, "A word spoken in due season, how good it is!" (v. 23). Does this not encourage us to be always careful with our words, to speak even briefly at the proper time and in an appropriate way?

The Spirit, after briefly describing his elevated rank and his distressing affliction, presents in a few words a striking instance of God's ways in providence. In a raid made by the Syrians, a little maid was brought away captive from the land of Israel, whom we find a slave in Naaman's house. Judgment had indeed been pronounced on Israel (1 Kings 19), yet the king still retained his throne, and it is a child that suffers. To us this seems mysterious, but how is it possible for man to understand the government of God? How little can we know of the scene He governs, and the working of sin and of Satan in it? As Elihu told Job, "God giveth not account of any of His matters." Yet we may surely learn in this case that, in the midst of all the oppressions and wrongs, the woes and sufferings in the world, God has an order of blessing for individual souls that we may long to enjoy. This poor child was, notwithstanding all, in the right place, at the right time, with the right object, and in the right spirit to do the right thing. All the happy results that followed turned upon her little word so fitly spoken, "Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria, for he would recover him of his leprosy." She seeks nothing for herself. Her master, with all he possesses, is more wretched than she, and her heart yearns over him for blessing. She knows the character of the plague that is destroying him, and that none but God can heal it. He is an idolater, and lost: and she longs that he should be with Elisha. Her philanthropy is of a high and far-reaching order. She says not, "Would God my lord were relieved of his misery," but that he "were with the prophet." That is the first thing; bodily healing would follow.

This gives a peculiar solemnity to the preaching of the gospel; the issues of life and death, heaven and hell, are involved in its proclamation. "For we are unto God," says the apostle, "a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish. To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Cor. 2:15-16.) This weighty and solemn truth is known to all Christians, and should lead all to watch and care for the salvation of immortal souls. 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 is needed for such a work is love for souls — a love which acts in harmony with the heart of Christ. This is the best gift of the evangelist. Millions of souls will be in heaven at last, and swell the song of the redeemed, who were brought to know the Lord by a word fitly spoken, by personal conversation and prayer. All-important as the ministry of the word to Christians most surely is, it is never a question of life and death.

The sun was beginning to shed its gladdening rays over the land one Lord's Day morning as a preacher of the gospel started to the place of his day’s labour for the Lord. Along the road he met a very, dejected-looking man. The preacher spoke a gracious word to him, and added, “It’s a good morning, Sir!” There was no reply; but as that man slowly wended his way home, after his night’s debauchery, and turned into bed to try to obtain sleep, he kept thinking: Yes, it’s a good morning for him;—a very good morning! He is away to preach the Word of God, and to help others; here am I, and it is a miserable morning enough for me! “At last,” he said, when telling the story, “I came to this: I will have a good morning too! And that night I went to hear the gospel, and trusted the Saviour! It has been a good morning with me ever since! Redeem opportunities. Let your word be always with grace. A Word fitly spoken, how good it is. Who shall tell the present and eternal results? He that winneth souls is wise.

No; this was not the Lord's word. Such an inquiry might seem to the disappointed men a sting of reproach for their self-devised and fruitless expedition. Such a rebuke would be well deserved, but the One Who was speaking knew how “to speak a word in season to him that is weary.” Compassion came first, chiding may follow.

Next comes the exhortation. It is well when, in love and with a sound judgment, we are admonished; but was it so here? A word fitly spoken, how good it is! But the call in this case assumed that Job was a wicked man, and we may find occasion to admire the patience he manifests, as well as see where he falls short. It is delightful to hear the message of love go forth, but what where it implies that a true believer is a hypocrite?