Luke 6:45 Meaning: What Your Words Reveal About Your Heart
The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.
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.
The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
`The good man out of the good treasure of his heart doth bring forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart doth bring forth that which is evil; for out of the abounding of the heart doth his mouth speak.
The good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth good; and the wicked [man] out of the wicked, brings forth what is wicked: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Meaning in one sentence
What does it mean that 'out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks'? Learn how Jesus connects our inner character to our words.
Context
Jesus has been teaching a crowd on a level plain, and his words cut deep. He warns against judging others while ignoring our own faults. Then he shifts to fruit: a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. This verse explains why. The heart is like a storehouse, Jesus says. Whatever fills it will eventually come out in what we say and do. Immediate context matters here, because the next verses challenge people who call him Lord but do not obey him. The heart’s condition makes the difference between fruit that lasts and a house that falls.
Key Words
The Greek word for treasure, thēsauros, means a place where valuables are stored up. In Jesus’ day, you kept what mattered most in a locked chest or hidden vault. The heart is that kind of place, not for coins but for what we cherish, fear, and desire.
Perisseuma, translated overflow or abundance, describes what spills out when a container is too full. You do not plan the spill. It just happens. That is how speech works, Jesus says. When the heart is full of something, it eventually overflows through the mouth.
And kardia, heart, means the core of a person, the seat of will, emotion, and thought. It is not just feelings. It is what you really want. Together these words paint a picture: your words are not random; they reveal the treasure you have been storing deep inside.
How Christians Read This Verse
John Calvin applied this verse broadly, calling the tongue a portrait of the mind, even while admitting that hypocrites can speak well for a time. He used it to urge believers to examine teachers by their whole lives, not just their titles. The Cambridge Bible notes the echo of Matthew 12:34, linking Jesus’ warning to Isaiah’s description of the vile person who speaks villainy. Matthew Henry treats the verse as a plain rule for self-examination: what comes out shows what is inside. Across traditions, Christians agree that this verse reveals a fundamental honesty about the heart. What we store there will eventually show.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this verse as a command to control their speech. They think if they can just speak well enough, they will be good. In fact, Jesus says the opposite. The mouth is not the problem. It is only a symptom. Trying to fix your words while ignoring the heart is like wiping the overflow off the floor while the container is still full. Real change begins deeper.
Living This Out
This week, pay attention to the words that slip out when you are tired, frustrated, or surprised. Do not just apologize and move on. Ask yourself: what does that spill tell me about what I have been storing in my heart? If harsh words keep coming, maybe resentment has been accumulating. If dishonest words slip out, maybe fear of others has taken root. Let those moments send you to honest prayer. Ask God to show you what treasure you have been hiding and to help you store up what is good.
Main takeaway: Your words reveal what your heart truly treasures; lasting change begins not with the mouth but with the heart.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Your heart is like a treasure box. When you fill it with good things like love and kindness, good words come out of your mouth. When you speak kind words, it shows your heart is full of God’s love.
For ages 9, 12
Your words are like a window into your heart. When you are tempted to say something mean or dishonest, that is a clue that something inside needs God’s help. Instead of just trying to talk better, ask God to change what is in your heart. The better the treasure inside, the better the words that come out.
Questions People Ask
What does 'out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks' mean?
It means your words are not random. They come from what fills your heart. If your heart is full of anger, harsh words will spill out. If your heart is full of love and truth, kind words will follow. Jesus uses this to explain why trying to look good on the outside while the heart stays unchanged will not work.
Does this verse mean we can judge someone's salvation by their words?
Christians have applied this verse carefully. Jesus does warn that a bad tree bears bad fruit, and that includes false teachers. But most traditions agree we should not make final judgments about another person's salvation. The verse is first for self-examination. It invites us to look at our own words and ask what they reveal about our own hearts before God.
How is this verse connected to the tree and fruit in Luke 6:43-44?
Right before this verse, Jesus says a good tree cannot produce bad fruit and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. The tree is the heart. The fruit is words and actions. Verse 45 explains the mechanism: what comes out of a person is simply what was already stored up inside. The tree and fruit image and the treasure and overflow image say the same thing from different angles.
If my words are bad, does that mean I'm not a Christian?
Not necessarily. All Christians struggle with sin, including in their speech. The verse is a mirror, not a final verdict. It shows where growth is needed. If you see harsh or dishonest words, it does not mean God has rejected you. It means there is more work for the Holy Spirit to do in your heart. The honest response is not to pretend but to repent and ask God to change the treasure inside you.
How can I change what's in my heart's treasure?
You cannot change your heart by willpower alone. But you can open it to God. Spend time in Scripture, prayer, and community with other believers. Confess the bitterness or pride you find there and ask God to replace it with His goodness. Over time, as you treasure Christ more, what fills your heart will change. Then what spills out will change too.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study