Matthew 12:36,37

Ver 36. "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

Chrys.: The Lord follows up what He had said before by moving their fears, shewing that they that have thus sinned shall receive the most extreme punishment, "I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment."

Jerome: And the meaning is; If every idle word which does not edify the hearers is not without danger to him that speaks it, and if each man shall render an account of his words in the day of judgment, how much more shall you, who have spoken falsely against the works of the Holy Spirit, saying that I cast out demons through Beelzebub, render an account of your false charge?

Chrys.: He said not 'which ye have spoken,' but makes His teaching of universal application to the whole race of mankind, and at the same time His words less grievous to them that heard them. By an "idle word" is meant one that is false, that accuses any falsely. Some indeed say that it includes all light talk, all such as stirs immoderate laughter, or shameful and immodest words.

Greg., Hom. in Ev., vi: Or such as lacks either rightness in itself, or reasons of just necessity;

Jerome: being spoken without the profit of either the speaker or hearer; as if laying aside weighty matters we should speak of frivolous trifles, or relate old fables. For he that deals in buffoon jests to create laughter, or brings forth any thing shameful, he will be held guilty not of an idle, but of a sinful word.

Remig.: The words which here follow depend on those that went before; "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." There is no doubt but that every man shall he condemned for his evil words which he speaks; but none shall be justified for his good words, unless they proceed from his inmost heart, and from a entire purpose.

Chrys.: See that this sentence is not a burdensome one. The Judge will pass sentence not according to what any other has said concerning you, but according to what you have yourself spoken. They that are accused then have no need to fear, but they that accuse; for those are not charged of those evil things that have been spoken of them, but these of those evil things that they have spoken.