SEV Biblia, Chapter 12:36
Mas yo os digo, que toda palabra ociosa que hablaren los hombres, de ella darn cuenta en el día del juicio;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:36
Verse 36. Every idle word] rhma argon, a word that does nothing, that neither ministers grace nor instruction to them who hear it. The word argon corresponds to the Hebrew aw shave, which signifies not only vain or empty, but also wicked and injurious, such as a false testimony against a neighbour, compare Deut. v. 11, 20. Add to this, that Symmachus translates lwgp piggul, polluted, Lev. xix. 7, by the very Greek word in the text. It was to explain this ambiguous meaning of the word, that ten MSS. have changed argon Into ponhron, evil. Our Lord must be understood here as condemning all false and injurious words: the scope of the place necessarily requires this meaning.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 36. But I say unto you , etc.] This form of speaking is used, the more strongly to asseverate the truth of what is after said; and the rather, because men are apt to indulge a liberty with their tongues; fancying no great crime is committed, when only words are spoken, and no facts done; that every idle word that a man shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment . By an idle word is meant, what the Jews call, hlq hjy , light conversation, and ljb rbd , vain discourse, as the Hebrew Gospel of Munster reads it here; frothy language, unprofitable talk, which, though it does not directly hurt God or man, yet is of no use to speaker or hearer; and yet even this, in the last general and awful judgment, if not forgiven, and repented of, must be accounted for; and much more such horrid blasphemies the Pharisees had vented against Christ, and the Spirit of Christ. The Jews have a saying pretty much like this, That even hlq hjy l[ , for any light conversation, which passes between a man and his wife, he shall be brought to judgment.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 33-37 - Men's language discovers what country they are of, likewise what manne of spirit they are of. The heart is the fountain, words are the streams. A troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring, must send fort muddy and unpleasant streams. Nothing but the salt of grace, cast int the spring, will heal the waters, season the speech, and purify the corrupt communication. An evil man has an evil treasure in his heart and out of it brings forth evil things. Lusts and corruptions, dwellin and reigning in the heart, are an evil treasure, out of which the sinner brings forth bad words and actions, to dishonour God, and hur others. Let us keep constant watch over ourselves, that we may spea words agreeable to the Christian character.
Greek Textus Receptus
λεγω 3004 5719 V-PAI-1S δε 1161 CONJ υμιν 5213 P-2DP οτι 3754 CONJ παν 3956 A-NSN ρημα 4487 N-NSN αργον 692 A-NSN ο 3739 R-ASN εαν 1437 COND λαλησωσιν 2980 5661 V-AAS-3P οι 3588 T-NPM ανθρωποι 444 N-NPM αποδωσουσιν 591 5692 V-FAI-3P περι 4012 PREP αυτου 846 P-GSN λογον 3056 N-ASM εν 1722 PREP ημερα 2250 N-DSF κρισεως 2920 N-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
36. Idle (argon). A good rendering. The word is compounded of aj, not, and ergon, work. An idle word is a non-working word; and inoperative word. It has no legitimate work, no office, no business, but is morally useless and unprofitable.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:36 {Every idle word} (pan rhema argon). An ineffective, useless word (a privative and ergon). A word that does no good and so is destructive like destructive anaemia. It is a solemn thought. Jesus who knows our very thoughts (#12:25) insists that our words reveal our thoughts and form a just basis for the interpretation of character (#12:37). Here we have judgment by words as in #25:31-46 where Jesus presents judgment by deeds. Both are real tests of actual character. Homer spoke of "winged words" (pteroenta epea). And by the radio our words can be heard all round the earth. Who knows where they stop?
