Commentary: Silence is golden

Todd Gaddis

Countless times over the years, I’ve said the wrong thing, or too much of the right thing.”

The Beatles and the Rolling Stones weren’t the only British rock bands producing great tunes in the 1960s. The lesser-known Tremeloes came out with “Silence is Golden” in 1967, which climbed to the top of the UK Singles Chart (their only #1 hit) and #11 on the US Billboard Top 100. Written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio for Philips Records, the song was originally performed in 1964 by the Four Seasons, side B to their hit “Rag Doll.” 

More recently (2022), the Beths, a New Zealand rock band, produced a song with the same title. Speaking of “soaking up the quiet in an age of jet engines and screaming sirens,” their “Silence of Golden” lyrics better fit this term that has come to signify the advantage of remaining quiet in an age of ceaseless chatter and constant noise. 

 It comes as no surprise that Scripture has a lot to say about silence. Examining the subject further, consider the following challenges:

Remain silent before God. Hey,  “wait a minute,” one might say. How can I pray without saying anything? The answer is to simply include silence as a part of your prayer. French theologian and writer Francois Fenelon (1651-1715) said, “How can you expect God to speak to you in that gentle and inward voice which melts the soul, when you are making so much noise with your rapid reflections? Be silent, and God will speak again.” 

As Scripture says, “Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 3:7, 5:2).  

Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, provides a beautiful example. With Martha busy fussing in the kitchen, Mary sat quietly at the feet of Jesus, silently soaking in every word. Jesus was quick to point out that she had chosen the good part (Luke 10:38-42). 

Remain silent before others- This command includes both friend and foe. Take Job’s companions for example. Once his life began unraveling and his friends came calling, “they sat down on the ground with him for seven days with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great” (Job 2:13 NASB). Too bad they couldn’t have extended that time. (see Job 16:2). . 

Candidly speaking, I’m experiencing conviction while writing these words. Countless times over the years, I’ve said the wrong thing, or too much of the right thing. Gotta get my “two cents in,” as the old expression goes. Like Job’s friends, I’ve talked when sitting in silence would have served better.

That’s certainly the case when dealing with our adversaries. Jesus is a prime example. “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; like a lamb is let to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7 NASB). That prophecy became reality centuries later when Jesus kept silent before His accusers (Matthew 26:63, 27:14). 

Most people are prone to lash back at their adversaries, especially in these polarizing times in which we live. Just a few minutes of watching the news or scrolling social media reveals the mess. 

“Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near” (Zephaniah 1:7 NASB). As was once said, “better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” It’s tough to remain silent, especially for those of us who love to talk. That said, “speech is silver, silence is golden.”

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Todd Gaddis is a semi-retired minister living in Athens. He continues to serve as an interim pastor and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.