A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

Wesley's Notes

25:18 A sword - Is as cruel and pernicious as any instrument of death.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

18. A false witness is as destructive to reputation, as such weapons to the body (Pr 24:28).

beareth . witness-literally, "answereth questions," as before a judge, against his neighbor.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

25:17. We cannot be upon good terms with our neighbours, without discretion as well as sincerity. How much better a Friend is God than any other friend! The oftener we come to him, the more welcome. 18. A false testimony is dangerous in every thing.

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Verse 18

Here, 1. The sin condemned is bearing false witness against our neighbour, either in judgment or in common conversation, contrary to the law of the ninth commandment. 2. That which it is here condemned for is the mischievousness of it; it is in its power to ruin not only men's reputation, but their lives, estates, families, all that is dear to them. A false testimony is every thing that is dangerous; it is a maul (or club to knock a man's brains out with), a flail, which there is no fence against; it is a sword to wound near at hand and a sharp arrow to wound at a distance; we have therefore need to pray, Deliver my soul, O Lord! from lying lips, Ps. 120:2.