The Power of Words to Build Up or Tear Down
The Bible frequently illustrates the profound capacity of words to either construct or dismantle, to heal or to wound. This power is evident in both divine speech and human communication. The prophet Jeremiah describes God's word as having the authority to "pull up and to break down, and to destroy" nations and kingdoms, as well as to "build and to plant" [1, 3]. This imagery underscores the transformative, even world-altering, potential attributed to divine utterance.
Similarly, human words are depicted with significant force. Proverbs 25:15 states that "a gentle tongue can break a bone," suggesting that persuasive and kind words can overcome even the most rigid resistance [2]. Conversely, words can also be destructive. Proverbs 14:1 uses the metaphor of building or tearing down a home to represent how speech can strengthen or weaken a family [4]. The Lord's word is also described as having the power of fire to destroy false prophecies and as a hammer to smash strongholds [8].
The inherent power of words is a recurring theme. Charles Hodge, in his Systematic Theology, notes that the Word of God possesses an "inherent, divine, and constant power" [6]. He cites Paul's declaration in Romans 1:16 that the Gospel "is the power of God unto salvation" and in 1 Corinthians 1:21 that "it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" [10]. This divine power is not merely illustrative but effective, producing different results based on the "subjective state of those on whom it acts" [6]. John Calvin similarly connects preaching with the "power of the Holy Spirit," suggesting an inseparable link between the spoken word and spiritual efficacy [7].
Beyond divine pronouncements, human speech is also shown to have a tangible impact. John Gill, commenting on Job 4:3, interprets Eliphaz's words to Job as having "upheld him that was falling" or "stumbling" [11]. This highlights the supportive and stabilizing role that words of encouragement or wisdom can play in times of distress or doubt. The ability of words to "melt" and cause "waters to flow" is also used to describe God's word in Psalm 147:18, indicating its capacity to soften and bring about change, much like a warm wind thaws ice [9].
Theological discussions have also explored the nature of this power. Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, addresses whether there is "any created power which causes the consecration" in the words of sacramental forms. one tradition argues against the idea that there is no created power in these words, stating that such a view "detracts from the dignity of the sacrament" [5]. This scholastic perspective emphasizes that certain words, when spoken in a sacred context, are not merely symbolic but possess an inherent, albeit created, power to effect change.
Sources
- Jeremiah “Jeremiah 18:7 (Rotherham) — The moment I speak, concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom,—to pull up and to break down, and to destroy;”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 25:15 (BSB) — Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.”
- Jeremiah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Jeremiah 1:9: The Consecration. - Jer 1:9. "And Jahveh stretched forth His hand, and touched my mouth, and Jahveh said to me, Behold, I put my words into thy mouth. Jer 1:10. Behold, I set thee this day over the nations, and over the kingdoms, to root up and to ruin, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant." In order to assure him by overt act of His support, the Lord gives him a palpable pledge. He stretches out His hand and causes it to touch his mouth (cf. Isa 6:7); while, as explanation of this symbolical act, He adds: I have put my words in thy mouth. The han”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 14:1: 14:1 Building or tearing down the home is a metaphor for strengthening or weakening one’s family.”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Form of This Sacrament, Art. 4: Article: Whether in the aforesaid words of the forms there be any created power which causes the consecration? I answer that, Some have maintained that neither in the above words is there any created power for causing the transubstantiation, nor in the other forms of the sacraments, or even in the sacraments themselves, for producing the sacramental effects. This, as was shown above (Question [62], Article [1]), is both contrary to the teachings of the saints, and detracts from the dignity of the sacram”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 54: of opium, poison, or fire; but moral, “ illustrando mentem, commovendo voluntatem ,” etc. Nevertheless the illustration holds as to the main point. The Word has an inherent, divine, and constant power. It produces different effects according to the subjective state of those on whom it acts. The Spirit acts neither on them nor on it more at one time than at another. 482 Remarks. 1. It is obvious that this peculiar theory has no support from Scripture. The Bible does indeed say that the Word of God is quick and powerful; that it is the wisd”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 96: fruitful. But if the case of the seed and of the word is the same, and from the seed corn can grow and increase, and attain to maturity, why may not faith also take its beginning, increase, and completion from the word? Both things are admirably explained by Paul in different passages. For when he would remind the Corinthians how God had given effect to his labours, he boasts that he possessed the ministry of the Spirit ( 1 Cor. 2:4 ); just as if his preaching were inseparably connected with the power of the Holy Spirit, in inwardl”
- Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 23:29: 23:29 The Lord’s word has power, like fire, to destroy false prophecies. It would smash the seemingly impregnable fortress of Jerusalem like a mighty hammer.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 147:18: He sendeth out his word, and melteth them,.... The snow, the hoar frost, and ice: this he does by a word of his, who can freeze the earth and waters, and thaw them at his pleasure; by ordering the sun to break forth with great heat, or rain to fall in great plenty; of both which Kimchi interprets his word; as well as by causing a warm wind to blow, as follows, he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters to flow: the south wind particularly; then the waters, which were still and motionless, flow as before, or more abundantly. Thus the hearts of men in a state of na”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 54: know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified.” ( 1 Cor. ii. 2 .) ( c .) The power of the Word is proved from many direct assertions in the Bible. Paul tells the Romans that he was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, because “it is the power of God unto salvation.” ( Rom. i. 16 .) To the Corinthians he says, in view of the utter impotence of the wisdom of the world, that “it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” ( 1 Cor. i. 21 .) The preaching of Christ crucified was “unto the Jews a stumb”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 4:3: Thy words have up, holden him that was falling,.... Or "stumbling" (m); that was stumbling at the providence of God in suffering good men to be afflicted, and wicked men to prosper; which has been the stumbling block of God's people in all ages; see Psa 73:2; or that was stumbling and falling off from the true religion by reason of the revilings and reproaches of men, and their persecutions for it; which is sometimes the case, not only of nominal professors, Mat 13:21; but of true believers, though they do not so stumble and fall as to perish: or else being under afflicti”