James
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James 3
James 3
1Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Commentary · verse 1
2For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Commentary · verse 2
James' reason was that there were many things humans stumble in, however, not stumbling in word allowed us to be considered perfect: to be able to achieve the maximum profitability. This placed a lot of importance on words. It seemed that James stated the only thing that prevented us from being perfect (maximum profitability) was our "stumbling" with regards to words. This reason was stated in the context of the premise of verse 1 that focused on teachers. Here were James' supports...
3Now if we put the horses’ bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.
3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Commentary · verse 3
James used a natural example to support his premise. "Obey us" meant "persuaded to act."
4Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.
4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Commentary · verse 4
James used another natural example to support his premise.
5So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
6And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell.
5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Commentary · verses 5-6
James' conclusion was that the tongue was a fire. Words are powerful and can destroy or create. Destructive words have a wrong or no HOW/WHY. Words that create have a right HOW/WHY and they are profitable, even to the maximum which is perfect.
Doctrines on this passage
7For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind: 8but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.
7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Commentary · verses 7-8
James used a natural example to contrast the inability to completely tame the tongue. Man's tongue is untamed, unruly evil, full of deadly poison. The only way to tame the tongue is to speak grace unto others, to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us which would result in the maximum profitability: perfection.
9Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:
9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Commentary · verse 9
James referenced Genesis 1:26. Notice, James' point was that we were made after the appearance of God, not having the causes of God in and of ourselves but the appearance of Him.
10out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Commentary · verse 10
When we curse others, we are cursing beings made after the appearance of God. The tongue is able to do seemingly contradictory things. James stated it was not right for us to use our tongues to do contradictory things. James supported this with more natural examples...
Doctrines on this passage
11Doth the fountain send forth from the same opening sweet water and bitter?
12can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? neither can salt water yield sweet.
11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Commentary · verses 11-12
Verses 11-12 were examples of contradictions that did not occur in nature.
13Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.
13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Commentary · verse 13
Wisdom (cause) results in making profitable decisions. James stated those with the right cause ought to demonstrate it with humility. Contrastive thinking and lack of contradiction is proof of wisdom.
14But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.
15This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed.
14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Commentary · verses 14-16
James stated the seemingly profitable decisions that were made based on jealousy and faction in your heart (causes) were not from above (it was not Right), but actually unprofitable. James then contrasted this with the effects of wisdom from above...
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.
17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Commentary · verses 17-18
Theme of Chapter 3: James illustrated the importance of words. It seemed that James stated the only thing that prevented us from being perfect was our "stumbling" with regards to words. James specifically focused on the tongue and supported his premise and reason with natural examples.
James' premise: Teachers will receive greater judgment because of the responsibility of what is being taught. We ought to be more careful when we attempt to teach Doctrine to others because we open ourselves up to greater judgment if we are wrong.