james 3 commentary

Benson Commentary James 3:3-5. Behold, &c. — As if the apostle had said, Think not the tongue a weak member because it is small; we put bits in the horses’ mouths that they may obey us — May go as we direct them; and, strong, and sometimes furious as they are; we turn about their whole body — Influence as we please all their motions.

Full Answer

What is the main message in James 3?

In his letter, James covers ways we can mature as Christians. The first two chapters cover growth through trials by knowledge of God's word, by putting that knowledge into action, and by letting go of worldly prejudices.

What is the background of James 3?

James 3 is the third chapter of the Epistle of James in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The author identifies himself as "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" and the epistle is traditionally attributed to James the brother of Jesus, written in Jerusalem between 48 and 61 CE.

What does James 3 say about the tongue?

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

What do you learn about wisdom in James 3?

True wisdom is sincere, genuine and open in its approaches to others. It does not show any hypocrisy. Jesus particularly showed his genuineness in his dialogues with Pilate (John 18:33–37). In contrast to the wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and devilish, James describes a “wisdom that is from above” (James 3:17).

What does tongue represent spiritually?

Tongues are also indicative of the voice of the gods; In medieval Christianity and Oriental art, large,protuding tongues are often the sign of demons or the devil.

What does bridle the tongue mean?

To bridle your tongue means to restrain, check, or control your tongue by choosing what you will speak and what you will not speak. If you don't know how to bridle your tongue, then your religion, or the things you believe are not going to do you much good.

What 3 things does James compare the tongue to?

James continues:The tongue is like a tiny flame from hell. ... The tongue is like a wild animal that is nearly impossible to tame (verse 7).The tongue is like poison (verse 8).The tongue is like a spring that ought to be sending out fresh water, but sometimes sends out bitter water instead (verse 11).More items...•

Why is Taming the tongue important?

If we let our mouths run loose, God help us! Essentially, our tongue gets enflamed with anger, resentment, gossip and the like. This is why learning how to tame the tongue is much more doable if we are filled with God's Word, led by His Spirit and follow His advice.

What is the power of tongue?

As Children of God, our tongues have a lot of power. Proverbs 18:21 confirms this by saying, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

What are the 3 types of wisdom?

There are three types of wisdom – the first wisdom which is the most important is the Godly wisdom then Earthly wisdom and Satanic wisdom.

What are the two types of wisdom?

Contrary to the prevailing view, this paper argues that Aristotle did not propose an exclusively practical or particularistic conception of wisdom but, instead acknowledged that wisdom broadly conceived consists of two types of intellectual virtue: theoretical wisdom (sophia) and practical wisdom.

How can one acquire wisdom?

Wisdom is a virtue that isn't innate, but can only be acquired through experience. Anyone who is interested in trying new things and reflecting on the process has the ability to gain wisdom. By learning as much as you can, analyzing your experiences and putting your knowledge to the test, you can become a wiser person.

What verse says "The tongue wane no man tame"?

Verse 8. But the tongue wan no man tame — No cunning, persuasion, or influence has ever been able to silence it. Nothing but the grace of God, excision, or death, can bring it under subjection.

What verse in the Bible says "not many masters"?

Verse 1. CHAPTER III. They are exhorted not to be many masters, 1. And to bridle the tongue, which is often an instrument of. much evil, 2-12. The character and fruits of true and false wisdom, 13-18. NOTES ON CHAP. III. Verse James 3:1. Be not many masters — Do not affect the teacher's office, for many wish to be teachers who have more need ...

What does the Bible say about the power of the tongue?

Verse 10. Out of the same mouth — This saying is something like that, Proverbs 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and on this, for an illustration of St. James' words, hear Vayikra Rabba, sec. 33: "Rabbi Simeon, the son of Gamaliel, said to his servant Tobias, Go and bring me some good food from the market: the servant went, and he bought tongues. At another time he said to the same servant, Go and buy me some bad food: the servant went, and bought tongues. The master said, What is the reason that when I ordered thee to buy me good and bad food, thou didst bring tongues? The servant answered, From the tongue both good and evil come to man: if it be good, there is nothing better; if bad, there is nothing worse ."

What verse in the Bible says "This wisdom descendeth not from above"?

Verse 15. This wisdom descendeth not from above — God is not the author of it, because it is bitter -not meek. See at the end of this chapter. " James 3:18 "

What verse in the Bible says "Bless you God"?

Verse 9. Therewith bless we God — The tongue is capable of rehearsing the praises, and setting forth the glories, of the eternal King: what a pity that it should ever be employed in a contrary work! It can proclaim and vindicate the truth of God, and publish the Gospel of peace and good will among men: what a pity that it should ever be employed in falsehoods, calumny, or in the cause of infidelity!

What does the tongue mean in the Bible?

Verse 6. Verse 6. The tongue is a fire] It is often the instrument of producing the most desperate contentions and insurrections. A world of iniquity — This is an unusual form of speech, but the meaning is plain enough; WORLD signifies here a mass, a great collection, an abundance.

What does the Bible say about great things?

Verse James 3:5. Boasteth great things. — That is, can do great things, whether of a good or evil kind. He seems to refer here to the powerful and all commanding eloquence of the Greek orators: they could carry the great mob whithersoever they wished; calm them to peaceableness and submission, or excite them to furious sedition.

Why is it sad to hear the same mouth come blessing and cursing?

This is sad because believers have the Holy Spirit to enable holy speech, but failure to appropriate His supernatural power and instead rely on our own natural power can yield unholy speech.

Who said the tongue can bring direction or destruction?

Jon Courson - Just as surely as an insignificant-looking rudder controls an entire ship, or a little piece of metal controls a powerful horse, so the tongue, weighing a mere twenty ounces, can either bring direction or destruction—for truly the power of life and death is in the tongue ( Proverbs 18:21 ). (Jon Courson's Application Commentary New Testament)

What does Douglas Moo say about the tongue?

Douglas Moo writes that "as the bit determines the direction of the horse, so the tongue can determine the destiny of the individual. Believers who exercise careful control of the tongue ( ED: ONLY POSSIBLE BY THE SPIRIT'S TONGUE CONTROL) are able also to direct their whole life in its proper, divinely charted course: they are "perfect" ( James 3:2 ). But when that tongue is not restrained, small though it is, the rest of the body is likely ( ED: ALMOST GUARANTEED!) to be uncontrolled and undisciplined also." (Ibid)

Who whet their tongues like a sword?

Psalm 64:3 Who whet their tongues like a sword and have aimed the arrows, even bitter words, that they may shoot in secret at the innocent. (Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrow)

Who said if man controls powerful horses with small bits placed in their mouths, he certainly should be able?

Simon Kistemaker applies this illustration - If, then, man controls powerful horses with small bits placed in their mouths, he certainly should be able to control his own tongue. The points of comparison are mouth and body. (Ibid)

Who said a small bit of tongue can turn the whole animal?

Donald Burdick - A very small bit "can turn the whole animal." So a man who controls his tongue can control his whole being ( ED: SEE NOTE ON TONGUE CONTROL ). (Expositor's Bible Commentary, 1976).

What does James 2:14-26 mean?

The idea that faith (so called) without works ( James 2:14-26 ) was all that is required, prompted "many" to set up as "teachers," as has been the case in all ages of the Church. At first all were allowed to teach in turns.

What does the tongue say?

The tongue, says ÆSOP, is at once the best and the worst of things. So in a fable, a man with the same breath blows hot and cold. "Life and death are in the power of the tongue" (compare Psalms 62:4 ). brethren --an appeal to their consciences by their brotherhood in Christ.

Is tamed and hath been?

is tamed, and hath been --is continually being tamed, and hath been so long ago. of mankind --rather, "by the nature of man": man's characteristic power taming that of the inferior animals. The dative in the Greek may imply, "Hath suffered itself to be brought into tame subjection TO the nature of men.".

Does James honor the fruit?

James does not honor such effects of this earthly wisdom with the name "fruit," as he does in the case of the wisdom from above. James 3:18 ; compare Galatians 5:19-22 , " works of the flesh . . . fruit of the Spirit.".

Where in the Bible does it say "We will stop lingering upon first principles and go on to perfection"?

In Hebrews 6:3, where the writer said, "we" will stop lingering upon first principles and go on to perfection, he did not, in any sense, mean it as a confession that he himself had been merely a "first principles" Christian. If any stumbleth not in word ...

What happens if we put bridles in horses mouths?

Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.

What does the Bible say about the world of iniquity?

The world of iniquity ... As Roberts noted, the literal meaning of this is "a world of unrighteousness," [18] as Ward indicated, being the same as the state of "the steward of unrighteousness" ( Luke 16:8 ), and "the judge of unrighteousness" ( Luke 18:6 ). [19] .

Can the tongue be tame?

but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.

What does James 3:5 a mean?

The bit, the rudder, and the tongue, even though they are small, all have power to direct. This interpretation seems preferable to the one that takes James 3:5 a as a statement that the tongue can make pretentious claims. James did not state that idea previously, but this sentence claims a connection with what precedes.

What does James talk about in the Bible?

He spoke of the importance of controlling one’s mind next to enable his readers to understand how to control their tongues. Wisdom in the mind affects one’s use of his or her tongue. Note the key words "wise" and "wisdom" ( James 3:13; James 3:17 ), which bracket the thought of this section, as well of the prominence of "peaceable" and "peace" that conclude it ( James 3:17-18 ).

What does the Bible say about teaching the Word of God?

People committed to preserving peace must teach the Word of God peacefully to reap a harvest of righteousness (cf. James 1:20 ). That good fruit will not come if teachers sow it in words and ways that inflame and antagonize people (cf. 1 Timothy 5:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:14; 2 Timothy 2:24-26 ).

What chapter in the Bible does James introduce a new subject?

As in the previous two chapters, James introduced a new subject with a command (cf. James 1:2; James 2:1 ).

Can the Holy Spirit subdue tongues?

Apart from the Holy Spirit’s help no human being has ever been able to subdue his or her own tongue. It is much more dangerous than any deadly animal because it never rests, and it can destroy simply with words. Fire, animals, and the tongue all have power to destroy (cf. James 3:5 ).

What does James say about teachers?

a. Let not many of you become teachers: James has a sober admonition for those who would become teachers in the church. They must take the responsibility seriously, because their accountability is greater, and they shall receive a stricter judgment .

What does Jas 3:3-6 mean?

2. ( Jas 3:3-6) The power of the tongue.

What does Proverbs say about the lips of the righteous?

The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom. ( Proverbs 10:19-21 ) Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. ( Proverbs 12:25 ) Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Can a man tame a tongue?

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. a. Every kind of beast and bird … has been tamed by mankind: A wild animal can be more easily tamed than the tongue.

(3-6) The Power of The tongue.

(7-8) The Difficulty of Taming The tongue.

• For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. a. Every kind of beast and bird… has been tamed by mankind: A wild animal can be more easily tamed than the tongue. In fact, James tells us that no man can tame th...

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(9-12) The Contradictory Character of The tongue.