Lips
The theological analysis of the biblical term **Lips** reveals a rich tapestry of meanings that transcend mere anatomical description, unfolding into profound spiritual, moral, and soteriological implications. From a Protestant evangelical perspective, **Lips** are understood not merely as a part of the body, but as a powerful instrument of communication, worship, confession, and witness, reflecting the inner state of the heart and an individual's relationship with God. This study will explore the development, meaning, and application of the term, grounding itself in the authority of Scripture and Reformed theology.
1. Etymology and Roots in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, the concept of **Lips** is primarily conveyed by the Hebrew word saphah (שָׂפָה). This word literally means "lip," but is frequently used in a metaphorical sense to denote speech, language, or the edge of something. Other terms like peh (פֶּה), "mouth," and lashon (לָשׁוֹן), "tongue," are also relevant, as they are intimately connected to the production of speech and, by extension, to the function of the **Lips**.
The use of saphah in various biblical passages illustrates its wide range of meanings. In Genesis 11:1, for example, humanity before the Tower of Babel is described as having "one language and one speech" (saphah achath), emphasizing the unity of communication. God's subsequent confusion of languages in Genesis 11:7 demonstrates divine power over human **Lips** and language's capacity to unite or divide.
In the context of worship and praise, **Lips** are seen as essential instruments for expressing devotion to God. The Psalmist cries out in Psalm 63:3: "Because your lovingkindness is better than life, my **Lips** shall praise you." And in Psalm 63:5: "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness and my mouth shall praise you with joyful **Lips**." Here, **Lips** are not merely a means, but a symbol of the sincere expression of gratitude and praise emanating from the heart.
However, **Lips** can also be used for evil. Wisdom literature, especially the book of Proverbs, repeatedly warns against "lying **Lips**" and a "perverse mouth." Proverbs 12:22 declares: "Lying **Lips** are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight." This contrast highlights the importance of truth in speech and divine disapproval of falsehood, underscoring that the integrity of **Lips** reflects the integrity of character.
One of the most striking examples of the impurity of **Lips** is found in Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6:5, where the prophet exclaims: "Woe is me! For I am lost for I am a man of unclean **Lips**, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean **Lips** for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" The purification of his **Lips** by a seraph with a live coal (Isaiah 6:6-7) symbolizes the need for sanctification so that the mouth can utter God's word, indicating that the purity of **Lips** is a prerequisite for divine service. This progressive development of revelation in the Old Testament establishes **Lips** as a spiritual barometer, revealing the condition of the human heart and its capacity to relate to the Holy God.
2. Lips in the New Testament and their Meaning
In the New Testament, the term **Lips** is predominantly translated from the Greek word cheilos (χεῖλος), which is the direct equivalent of saphah. As in the Old Testament, cheilos refers both to the physical part of the mouth and, more frequently, to speech and verbal expression. The word stoma (στόμα), "mouth," is also used interchangeably to refer to the source of speech.
The theological meaning of **Lips** in the New Testament is deepened, especially in relation to the person and work of Christ. Jesus Christ, in his teachings, frequently exposed religious hypocrisy, echoing Old Testament prophecies. In Matthew 15:8, quoting Isaiah 29:13, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and scribes: "This people honors me with their **Lips**, but their heart is far from me." This passage underscores the discontinuity between merely verbal worship and genuine devotion emanating from a transformed heart. **Lips**, in this context, serve as a symbol of superficiality and lack of spiritual sincerity.
The centrality of Christ in New Testament theology transforms the function of **Lips**. The purification that in the Old Testament was ritualistic or symbolic (as in Isaiah) is now realized through Christ's atoning work. **Lips**, once impure and prone to lies and hypocrisy, are redeemed to utter the truth of the gospel and the confession of faith. The main continuity between the Old and New Testaments is the understanding of **Lips** as a reflection of the heart. The discontinuity lies in the means of purification and the new emphasis on confessing Christ as Lord.
The Epistle to the Hebrews, in Hebrews 13:15, exhorts believers to offer "a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of **Lips** that confess his name." Here, praise is not just an emotion, but a conscious and continuous verbal action, a "confession" (homologountōn - ὁμολογούντων) of God's name. This sacrifice is acceptable to God because it is offered through Jesus Christ, who intercedes for us. **Lips**, therefore, become instruments of sanctified worship.
The relationship of **Lips** to the person and work of Christ is further explicated in the doctrine of salvation, as we will see in Pauline theology. The purification of **Lips** is no longer an external ritual, but an internal work of the Holy Spirit that enables the believer to confess Christ. The truth uttered by **Lips** is the truth of the gospel, and praise is directed to the Triune God through Jesus. Thus, **Lips** are redeemed to fulfill their divine purpose in the new covenant.
3. Lips in Pauline Theology: The Basis of Salvation
Pauline theology assigns **Lips** a crucial role in the doctrine of salvation, especially at the intersection of faith and confession. The most emblematic passage is found in Romans 10:9-10: "Because, if you confess with your mouth (stoma) that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth (stoma) confession is made unto salvation." Although Paul uses stoma ("mouth"), the context and function are intrinsically linked to **Lips** as the primary instrument of verbal confession.
This statement by Paul establishes an indissoluble link between the inner faith of the heart and the outward confession of the **Lips**. It is not a "work" by which salvation is merited, but rather a visible and audible manifestation of saving faith that has already been wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit. In Reformed theology, salvation is sola gratia (by grace alone) and sola fide (by faith alone), and the confession of the **Lips** is the public testimony of that faith. John Calvin, in his commentaries on Romans, emphasizes that confession is a necessary fruit of faith, an outward expression that confirms the reality of inner belief.
Confession with the **Lips**, therefore, is not the cause of salvation, but its evidence and public seal. It is part of the ordo salutis (order of salvation), following regeneration and faith. Justification, which is God's act of declaring the sinner righteous based on the work of Christ, is received by faith. The confession of the **Lips** serves to proclaim that justification, not to obtain it. Martin Luther, in defending justification by faith, would argue that works (including verbal confession) are the result of faith, not its condition.
In sanctification, the process of being conformed to the image of Christ, **Lips** continue to play a vital role. The confession of sins (1 John 1:9) is an act of submission and repentance that involves verbalization. The witness of Christ to others, the proclamation of the gospel, mutual edification, and continuous praise are all functions of the **Lips** that contribute to the spiritual growth of the believer and the community. Ultimately, in glorification, the **Lips** of the redeemed will unite in an eternal chorus of praise to God, as described in Revelation 5:9-14, where all creation praises the Lamb. The initial confession of the **Lips** is, therefore, a prelude to eternal worship.
Paul contrasts salvation by faith with the "works of the Law" in passages like Galatians 2:16, showing that the confession of the **Lips** is not human merit, but a God-empowered response to his saving grace. The ability to confess "Jesus is Lord" is, in itself, a work of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3). Thus, Pauline theology elevates **Lips** from a mere physical organ to a divinely empowered instrument for expressing saving truth and loyalty to Christ, becoming a pillar of the doctrine of salvation.
4. Aspects and Types of Lips
The biblical analysis of **Lips** reveals that they manifest in various facets, each with distinct theological implications. There is no formal distinction of "types" of **Lips** in Scripture, but rather of different uses and qualities of speech emanating from them. These distinctions are crucial for understanding the Christian life and for avoiding doctrinal errors.
- Lips of Truth vs. Lips of Lies: This is one of the most fundamental distinctions. The **Lips** of truth are those that speak what is just and right, reflecting the nature of God, who is truth (John 14:6). Proverbs 12:19 states: "The lip of truth shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment." In contrast, lying **Lips** are associated with deceit and iniquity, being an abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 12:22).
- Lips of Praise vs. Lips of Hypocrisy: The **Lips** of praise (Hebrews 13:15) are those that express genuine gratitude and worship to God, a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In opposition, the **Lips** of hypocrisy are those that utter pious words externally, but whose heart is far from God (Matthew 15:8). Spurgeon frequently denounced "lip religion" that was not accompanied by a transformed heart.
- Lips that Confess Christ vs. Lips that Deny: The confession of Jesus as Lord with the **Lips** (Romans 10:9) is a central aspect of saving faith. It is a public declaration of loyalty to Christ. On the other hand, the denial of Christ with the **Lips**, whether due to fear or unbelief, has eternal consequences (Matthew 10:32-33). This distinction is vital for understanding saving faith in contrast to a mere "historical faith" or intellectual faith that does not result in confession and obedience.
- Pure Lips vs. Impure Lips: The impurity of **Lips**, as seen in Isaiah 6:5, refers to a sinful condition of speech that hinders communion and service to God. The purification of **Lips**, symbolized by the live coal, and accomplished in Christ, enables the believer to speak in a holy and righteous manner. Impure **Lips** utter obscene, malicious, slanderous words, while pure **Lips** speak what edifies (Ephesians 4:29).
In the history of Reformed theology, the emphasis on God's sovereignty permeates the understanding of **Lips**. The ability to utter words of truth, praise, and genuine confession is seen as a gift of God's grace, wrought by the Holy Spirit, and not an inherent ability of fallen humanity. The total depravity of humanity implies that their **Lips** are naturally inclined to sin, requiring divine intervention for their redemption and sanctification.
It is crucial to avoid doctrinal errors. A common error is "empty confession," where the mere repetition of words is confused with genuine faith, without the transformation of the heart. Another error is the "meritism of confession," where it is believed that the confession of the **Lips** is a work that earns salvation, instead of being an evidence and response to salvation already wrought by grace. Reformed theology, through figures such as Jonathan Edwards and B.B. Warfield, has always underscored that true faith manifests itself in fruits, and confession with the **Lips** is one of these indispensable fruits, but not the cause of salvation. The balance lies in recognizing the importance of verbal confession without attributing intrinsic saving power to it, but rather as the overflowing of a heart saved by grace.
5. Lips and the Practical Life of the Believer
The theological understanding of **Lips** transcends the doctrinal sphere and has profound implications for the practical life of the believer. The way we use our **Lips** is a direct reflection of our spiritual condition and our commitment to Christ. Scripture repeatedly exhorts us to employ our **Lips** for the glory of God and for the edification of others.
Firstly, **Lips** are instruments of continuous worship and praise. Hebrews 13:15 calls us to offer "a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of **Lips** that confess his name." This manifests in prayer, in the singing of hymns and spiritual songs, and in the verbal proclamation of God's greatness in all circumstances. Christian piety is inseparable from a life of openly expressed praise. Lloyd-Jones frequently emphasized the need for robust and verbal worship that engages both the intellect and the emotions.
Secondly, **Lips** are vital for evangelism and Christian witness. The Great Commission (Mark 16:15) implies that we should use our **Lips** to proclaim the gospel to all nations. The confession of Christ (Romans 10:9) is not an isolated act, but a life of verbal witness. This includes sharing our personal faith, explaining the truths of the gospel, and defending the faith with meekness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
Thirdly, mutual edification in the Christian community depends on the correct use of **Lips**. Paul exhorts in Ephesians 4:29: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." This means using **Lips** to encourage, comfort, teach, and exhort, avoiding gossip, slander, idle words, and profane language. The personal responsibility of each believer is to guard their **Lips**, as Proverbs 13:3 admonishes: "Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life he who opens wide his **Lips** comes to ruin."
Fourthly, **Lips** are essential for the confession of sins. 1 John 1:9 assures us that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The verbalization of sin before God and, when appropriate, before brothers and sisters in Christ (James 5:16), is a fundamental step in repentance and restoration.
For the contemporary church, the application of these principles is urgent. The faithful preaching of God's Word from the pulpit, congregational worship with sincere songs and prayers, and engagement in edifying and evangelistic conversations outside of services are all manifestations of the redeemed use of **Lips**. There is a constant need to balance sound doctrine with godly practice. Reformed theology reminds us that true faith manifests itself in works, and speech is one of the most prominent works. May our **Lips** therefore be a reflection of God's grace in us, always ready to praise, confess, and proclaim the truth of Christ, with the awareness that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34).