Luke 6:45

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Luke 6:45 (KJV)

Context

This verse is part of Jesus’ teaching on recognizing a tree by its fruit in the Sermon on the Plain. He connects that principle directly to the human heart, showing that a person’s actions and speech reveal the true source of their character.

Meaning

Jesus pictures the heart as a treasure chest or storeroom. The heart represents the innermost being, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and desires. Just as a treasure chest holds valuable items, the heart holds what shapes a person’s character and influences their actions. A good person, from the goodness stored within, produces good things; an evil person, from the evil stored within, brings forth evil. This indicates that the state of the heart ultimately manifests outwardly.

The phrase “of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” means that words are the overflow of what is stored within. Speech is a reliable indicator of the heart’s condition. Continual words of kindness, love, and truth reflect goodness within; speech filled with negativity, lies, and hurtful words reveals the presence of evil within. This is not merely about external behavior but about the inner state that shapes behavior.

Biblical connections

This teaching connects to the following verses (Luke 6:46-47), where Jesus stresses the importance of not only calling Him “Lord” but also doing what He says. True obedience comes from a heart transformed by His teaching. The principle that what comes out of the mouth reveals the heart is foundational, seen also in Matthew 15:18.

Application

This verse calls for self-examination: what do our words reveal about the state of our hearts? It points to the need for the heart to be filled with good treasure, which in the gospel is a gift of God’s grace through faith in Christ. A person cannot become good by their own efforts; the heart’s treasure must be good. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a heart that stores up good, so that words and actions naturally reflect that goodness. It also serves as a sobering reminder that evil speech reveals an evil heart, prompting repentance and a need for inner transformation.

Reflection

Jesus’ teaching warns that mere external religion is insufficient if the heart is not producing good fruit. The heart is the source of moral character, and speech is the test of that character. As we seek God’s help to fill our hearts with what is good, our words will bring forth good and honor Him.