Luke 6:45 – “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, Jesus teaches that a person’s actions and words reflect the condition of their heart. A “good man” is someone whose heart has been filled with good things—love, kindness, truth, and obedience to God—and as a result, they produce good words and deeds. On the other hand, an “evil man” has a heart full of selfishness, deceit, pride, or hatred, and this will eventually show through their behavior and speech.
The key point here is that what we say and do comes from what is stored in our hearts. Just as a tree is known by its fruit (as Jesus said in the previous verses), a person is known by what flows out of them. Words and actions aren’t random—they reveal what’s inside. Jesus highlights the importance of the heart because true transformation doesn’t start with external behavior; it begins with a changed heart. If the heart is good, good things will naturally follow.
This verse is a call for self-reflection, urging believers to examine their hearts and consider whether their words and actions are consistent with their faith.
Historical Context
In Jewish culture, the heart was seen as the center of a person’s being. It wasn’t just about emotions—it represented the core of who someone was, including their thoughts, will, and moral character. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” This idea was deeply ingrained in the minds of Jesus’ audience.
During Jesus’ time, many religious leaders focused on outward appearances of righteousness, such as following religious laws and rituals. But Jesus constantly pointed out that external behavior without a transformed heart was meaningless (Matthew 23:25-28). His teaching in Luke 6:45 reflects His emphasis on genuine inner righteousness rather than surface-level obedience.
This teaching also connects to the importance of speech in Jewish wisdom literature. Proverbs frequently warns about the power of words and how they reveal a person’s character (Proverbs 18:21). Jesus expands on this idea by teaching that words are not just an indicator of character—they are a direct reflection of what’s stored in the heart.
Theological Implications
This verse underscores the theological truth that true righteousness comes from within, not from external behavior alone. Salvation and spiritual transformation are matters of the heart, and when someone’s heart is changed by God, their life will bear good fruit. The transformation that comes through faith in Jesus Christ is not about behavior modification—it’s about a new heart that produces godly character.
Theologically, this verse also touches on the concept of sanctification, the process of becoming more like Christ. As believers grow in their faith, the Holy Spirit works within them to cleanse their hearts and fill them with godly desires. The more they store up good things—through prayer, reading Scripture, and obeying God—the more their words and actions will reflect God’s character.
This verse also serves as a warning against self-deception. If someone’s words and actions consistently reflect sin or negativity, it may indicate that their heart needs transformation. The outward signs should not be ignored, but rather, they should prompt a deeper examination of what is going on internally.
Literary Analysis
Luke 6:45 uses parallelism and contrast to convey its message. The “good man” and “evil man” are contrasted to show that the condition of the heart directly influences behavior. The structure of the verse emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship: the state of the heart causes the corresponding actions and words.
The metaphor of storing things in the heart implies that what we regularly feed our minds and souls will shape our character. Just as a storehouse holds supplies that can be drawn from when needed, the heart holds the beliefs, thoughts, and emotions that will eventually be expressed outwardly.
The final statement, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of,” ties everything together. This phrase serves as a summary and highlights the importance of speech as a window into the soul. Jesus is saying that what we say is not accidental—it’s a reflection of what’s deeply rooted within us.
Biblical Cross-References
- Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
- Matthew 12:34-35 – “You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”
- James 3:9-12 – A discussion about the power of the tongue and how it reflects the source of one’s character.
- Psalm 19:14 – “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
- Galatians 5:22-23 – The fruit of the Spirit, which shows what good fruit looks like in a believer’s life.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder to be mindful of what they allow to influence their hearts. Just as physical health depends on what we consume, spiritual health depends on what we feed our minds and souls. If we fill our hearts with God’s Word, prayer, and godly influences, we will be equipped to produce good words and actions. But if we allow sinful or harmful influences to dominate our hearts, it will show in how we live.
This verse also encourages believers to pay attention to their speech. What we say—especially in moments of frustration, anger, or stress—often reveals what’s really going on inside us. If our words are consistently negative, critical, or hurtful, it’s a sign that we need to address deeper heart issues.
Additionally, this verse calls Christians to guard their hearts by being intentional about their spiritual growth. They should regularly examine their thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors to ensure they are in alignment with God’s will. Spiritual growth is a process, but it starts with acknowledging the importance of the heart.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is reflected in His desire for His people to have pure and healthy hearts. He knows that the heart is the source of life and that true transformation happens when the heart is renewed. His love is seen in the way He offers forgiveness, healing, and the power to change through the Holy Spirit. When believers come to Him with repentant hearts, He is ready to cleanse them and help them grow.
God’s love is also shown in His patience. He understands that change takes time and that believers will sometimes stumble. But He doesn’t give up on them. Instead, He continually works in their hearts, helping them store up good things so they can live lives that reflect His character.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the perfect example of someone whose words and actions consistently reflected a pure heart. Everything He said and did was in alignment with God’s will because His heart was completely devoted to the Father. His speech was filled with truth, grace, and love, and His actions demonstrated compassion, mercy, and justice.
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for believers to receive new hearts. Ezekiel 36:26 prophesied that God would give His people a new heart and a new spirit, and Jesus fulfilled this promise through the gift of salvation. When believers place their faith in Him, their hearts are transformed, and they begin the process of producing good fruit.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What do your words and actions reveal about the condition of your heart? Are there areas where you need God’s help to change?
- What influences are you allowing into your heart through what you watch, listen to, and think about?
- How can you store up good things in your heart to ensure that your words and actions reflect God’s character?
- When you say something hurtful or unkind, how can you use that moment as an opportunity for self-reflection and growth?
- How does Jesus’ example of perfect speech and action inspire you to seek a deeper transformation of the heart?