Every time you speak, your mind is on parade. A philosophy professor ended his letter with "It just beats me. Few people recognize the sinister capabilities of the tongue. Is it wise to be selfishly ambitiousand then brag about what your ambition brings you? And we should daily pray asking God by His Spirit to "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." Yet most people today have never heard of John Gill. When we want to surprise others with the difference Christ makes, we may need to look no further than restraining our tongue. When one speaks of his wisdom and knowledge, it is a sure sign that he has little of either. But one thing is certainthe Spirit of Christ is not found in a spirit of envy and self-serving competition. 141:3). "A servant that dealeth wisely shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, And shall have part in the inheritance among the brethren" (Proverbs 17:2). In the intertestamental period, it came to be used symbolically as the place of divine punishment (cf. Speiro is used figuratively to describe the sowing of the "seed" of the Word of God, the Gospel (="the word of the kingdom" -Mt13:19, cpMk 4:1415,16,18), "the ideas and precepts that have been implanted like seed in their hearts, ie, received in their hearts (Mk 4:18)." 2 We all stumble in many ways. 1:11). It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. A wise person is tender and full of mercy and sympathy. 9:10), the righteousness "which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (Phil. This was emphasized by James when he said, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction" (James 1:27). Wuest translates psuchikosas "unspiritual" with this amplification - "having to do with the natural, physical existence as over against the spiritual world of the supernatural." Grieve not (present imperative with a negative) the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Constable writes that "Not only is this phenomenon contrary to the will of God, it is also contrary to the natural order of things.". James 4. His question does not imply that none is wise but challenges to self-examination those who rashly assume that they are. He said, "The reason I am not a Christian today is because of an experience I had during the war." They apply heavenly counsel to earthly conduct." "A whisperer separateth chief friends" (Proverbs 16:28). Replace those words with blessings. Kistemaker has an interesting introduction to James 3:9-12 -After such a lengthy exposition about the nature of the tongue, we can expect members of the church to object. Wuest This wisdom is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual [having to do with the natural, physical existence as over against the spiritual world of the supernatural], demonic; f. NET James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. All rights reserved). "As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear" (Proverbs 25:12). Good grammar matters to me. The best way to be forearmed (controlled by the Spirit - only One Who can tame our tongue) is to be forewarned and these two aspects of that small member in our mouth should cause us to continually seek to be empowered by the Spirit. Such inconsistencies are not found in nature, but out of the human being can come both bitter and sweet words. My granddaughter Bree loved the circus, but she was afraid of the tiger. They learned later that she was not the first child to die this way. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. Psalms What James is saying is that the tongue can kindle a destructive fire which can destroy all life. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. (THIS IS AMAZING - HE DID NOT HAVE THE INDWELLING SPIRIT BUT GOD TELLS HIM HE MUST MASTER IT - SOMEHOW THE SPIRIT WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE POWER NECESSARY HAD HE WANTED TO "KILL SIN") Cain told Abel his brother. - Robertson calls this a "rhetorical interrogative" (like Lk 11:11+). James 3:18. 2:10; Phil. Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom. The tongue is the sum total of iniquity/sin, where "sum total" is defined as the whole amount of something taken into consideration, especially that which cannot be calculated numerically. The true wisdom is not rigid but is willing to listen and skilled in knowing when wisely to yield. Wuest For every creature, quadrupeds and birds and reptiles and marine life, is controlled and has been controlled by mankind. Verses 1-26. Meekness of wisdom is accepting Wisdom's dealings with us without a murmur and without a sigh. Anon. "The lip of truth shall be established for ever" (Proverbs 12:19). "The rod and reproof give wisdom" (Proverbs 29:15). Wuest A fig tree, my brethren, is not able to produce olives, is it, or a vine, figs? In using phaulos the idea is not so much primarily that which is malignant, but rather that which isgood for nothing and withoutpossibility of ever yielding any good. Mattoon -When God's wisdom is at work, there is a sense of humility and submission. But unbelievers have no defense against his demonic input! To gracious people? "Get wisdom Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get. Sper, John Phillips -Try as we might, we cannot prevent the tongue from lashing out at times. James 3. "The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips" (Proverbs 16:23). Jesus upsets our pride too. But James issued a warning: a fountain cannot give forth two kinds of water, and a tree cannot bear two different kinds of fruit. Ropes defines it as a fierce desire to promote ones own opinion to the exclusion of those of others. "Perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit" (Proverbs 15:4). That tongue confutesitself (proves itself to be false) which one while pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to him, and another while will condemn even good men if they do not just come up to the same words or expressions used by it. He also knew well the terrible joy that comes only through suffering as he lived quite afflicted (both by illness and slander). My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 3:15; 1 Ki. These things ought not so to be; and, if such considerations were always at hand, surely they would not be. James reminded us that the wisdom that is from above is . Mind what you say, or you may say whatever comes to mind. I have prayed this prayer for all who are reading this note and for myself, in Jesus' Name. In James 3:14 it is used figuratively to describe jealousy as bitter, which speaks of resentful attitude (harsh, cruel). Sophiais used frequently in the New Testament to describe the ability to discern and conform to Gods will. A great deal less talking to do? (Treasures from James), Hiebert -Since the reference seems to be to a religiously motivated feeling, "bitter zeal" or "harsh zeal" seems the best rendering. : Pass. The idea is that our mercy is not all talk but includes action demonstrating the reality of our claim to be merciful, and in this way is similar to the dynamic in James 2:14-26 where James says genuine faith is authenticated by good works, practical good deeds. Pollard. (Php 2:3+)Paul used eritheia again in Philippians writing "The former (Php 1:15+ "Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife") proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition (eritheia) rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. Lord, my mouth sometimes speaks words that dont honor You. How many times has some malicious person injected a bit of poison into the conversation, hoping it would spread and finally get to the person he or she wanted to hurt? The less he spoke, the more he heard 1 Kings Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness. NJB James 3:7 Wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish of every kind can all be tamed, and have been tamed, by humans; GWN James 3:7 People have tamed all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures. As adults, the problem reveals itself in other situations, such as when we're on the phone and our mind says, "Don't spread gossip about Jane," but our mouth says, "You wouldn't believe what I heard about Jane!" Unbelievers lack the supernatural power to tame this vicious beast. Washington Irving, A fool is hardly discerned when silent; his picture is best taken when he is speaking. Along with its lion friends, the striped beauty went through its routine in meek subjection. The washerman replied that according to the rules of his vocation he would need a vessel large enough to hold the elephant, where-upon the king commanded the jealous potter to provide one. Some writers think first pure implies a progression of qualities of godly wisdom. Each captain was aware of the other ships presence and both could have taken evasive action to avert the collision. We think of the depraved advice that Ahitholphel gave to Absalom (2 Sam. May my lips be so full of praise for You and encouragement for others that they have no opportunity to do any harm. NRS James 3:8 but no one can tame the tongue-- a restless evil, full of deadly poison. We can never say that we have truly pitied anyone until we have given our help. Branon. 5:21; Dan. Upon approaching its unsuspecting victim, it quickly chooses between two methods of capture. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary James) (Bold added), Ron Blue ties James 3:13-18 with the section on the tongue James 3:1-12 -A key to right talk is right thought. 25:14). (Exploring James), Guzik -James points to the ultimate impossibility of such a contradiction. - "Do nothing from selfishness(eritheia) or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves." The rock from which they sprang determined the quality of the water, such as at Elim or conversely at Marah. Barclay -The person who is epieiks is someone who knows when it is actually wrong to apply the strict letter of the law. This recalls James 2:14-26 where one's "works" show orauthenticateone's "faith" to be genuine. Bitter (4089)(pikrosfrom root pik = to cup or prick)means sharp, pointed, piercing, pungent as that which sharply "pierces" or penetrates one's senses. (1 Pe 3:16+) Notice that the "good behavior" Peter describes is "in Christ," in His pattern, in His power, ultimately enabled by His Spirit, for there is no other way to carry out good behavior except to "walk by the Spirit" (Gal 5:16+). 1:5+ - But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. We should not try to control our tongue with our own strength; we should rely on the Holy Spirit (ED: SEE TONGUE CONTROL). Wise people live skillfully. The news of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed the cause of the accident that hurled hundreds of passengers into the icy waters. BBE James 3:9 With it we give praise to our Lord and Father; and with it we put a curse on men who are made in God's image. "Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding" (Proverbs 17:24). Full(3324)(mestos) signifies full up, full to the utmost, "stuffed". ASV James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, yield olives, or a vine figs? "Scoffers set a city in a flame; But wise men turn away wrath" (Proverbs 29:8). He expects discipline to be happening in the life of a Christian. James pictures the tongue as a death bringing king cobra always ready to strike. This is what unregenerate people do, not those who have been born again and are called to live a like of truth and righteousness. Abraham lied about his wife twice (Ge2:10-20; 20:1-7). Zodhiates adds "The tongue is only an instrument of the mind and heart and is appropriately located in between the two. ", J Vernon McGee -As someone has said, "The most untamable thing in the world has its den just behind the teeth." Of course the tongue of Jesus was tame, but not one tongue of all those born in Adam and with his propensity to commit sin (Ro 5:12+). (Ibid). 1:17). Full of deadly is the combination wordthanatephoros (from thnatos =death+ phr =to bring) is literally death bearing or death bringing and is used only here in the NT. Therefore, the rich person and the poor person stand together on the common ground of Calvary. - The rhetorical question expects a strong negative reply. Sometimes we hear a desperate survival story of someone who cuts off their own leg to get free from a tree that has fallen on them, and then they make it to a hospital for medical treatment. 2:18; Jas. Men read what you write, whether faithless or true - KJV James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Psuchikosmeans soulish, with affinity to natural sinful propensities, the person in whom thesarx, the flesh, is more the ruling principle even aspsuchiksandpsucheis for the animalistic instincts. Reprinted by permission. Heart transformation begins with confession and repentance. It is interesting how the ancient Alexandrian Christians understood Gen. 1:26, where man and woman are created in the image (eikon) and likeness (homoiosis) of God. Like the Apostles at Pentecost, it can be set on fire from heaven! Its propensity for destruction is much greater. One thing you can give and still keep is your word. NRS James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire. A bird is known by his note, a man by his talk. only from You. Proverbs 17:27. It comes from heaven (1:5). (James 3- IVP Commentary), Hiebert on gentleness (meekness) -The meek man does not feel a need to contend for the recognition of his rights or acceptance of his personal views. The same may be said of each day. The important thing, of course, is the heart; for it is "out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaketh" (Matt. Henry T. Mahan, A tongue that is set on fire from hell shall be set on fire in hell. Given our natural tendency to get into trouble with our tongues, what can we do to control them? (Hiebert - James Commentary) James 3:1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will . Bibliographical Information Spurgeon, Charle Haddon. (v.10). Reasonable (only NT use; no uses in Septuagint)(2138)(eupeithesfrom eu = good, easiness + peitho = to persuade)means easily persuaded (but not gullible! "Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" (Proverbs 18:21). Of course not! YLT James 3:10 out of the same mouth doth come forth blessing and cursing; it doth not need, my brethren, these things so to happen; NAB James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. Instead of fighting, we need to be helpful, positive, and encouraging toward others. He must read the day's record through; The bad behavior of Judah enhances the good behavior of Joseph (Gen. 38-39). That calm hostility. At age 12, he entered Harvard University in a program for gifted students. Is earthly, natural, demonic- Is (estin) is present tense describing the continuing nature of the wisdom that is NOT heavenly, supernatural and godly (to use an antithetical description). "In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression" (Proverbs 10:19). NET James 3:8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. As the apostle James put it, Every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind (James 3:7). Glenn Spencer observes that "Satan has his theology. I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no mercy for the defenseless. Those words apply to all relationships. No farmer sits around doing nothing all year, then goes out into the field and says, Whoa, look at that bountiful harvest! If there is a harvest, its in part because he has worked hard to cultivate that harvest. A better approach to the use of words is reflected in Proverbs 17:27, where Solomon said, He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Most often, we would do better not to say all we think or know (orthinkwe know), but instead seek to use words that promote calm and peace. Wuest The spring does not pour forth out of the same opening the sweet and the bitter [water], does it? Proverbs 2:10-15 For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, 12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; 13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; 15 Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways; Proverbs 4:5-9 Acquire wisdom! NAB James 3:11 Does a spring gush forth from the same opening both pure and brackish water? It is impossible to find an English word to translate this quality. As persons we can communicate with one another with words -- something animals cannot do. As a pastor, I have seen poisonous tongues do great damage to individuals, families, classes, and entire churches. James is saying, "I am about to tell you the nature of true wisdom; treasure this." "He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him" (Proverbs 18:13). ASV James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? 12:34). This evil chafes at confinement, always seeking a way to escape and to spread its deadly poison. Utley on without hypocrisy -This term implies free from prejudice or divided loyalties and may relate to 2:4 or even 1:6. . A cruel word may wreck a life. ", Robert Johnstone -As the false, exhibiting itself in envying and strife, (James 3:16) thus brings in confusion and every form of evil, and in this way proves itself to be from beneath; so the true wisdom, showing itself in peace and peacemaking, thus brings in righteousness, and proves itself to be from above. Before you jump into any doctrinal dispute, ask first, How important is this issue in light of Gods glory and this persons spiritual wellbeing? Also, keep in mind how difficult it is for you to change your mind on an issue! (Mt 5:9+), Make (present tense)(4160)(poieo)means "to do" which focuses more on the end/achievement of the action. But relying on our own intelligence, uninformed by God, can lead to selfish ambition and bitter envy (v. 14). Jas. This "extraterrestrial" wisdom isthe gift of Godand is only given to believers(Eph 2:8), Proverbs commentson the Source ofwisdom from above, "For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Here the blessedness is shown in its effect. By such moral convictions, and feelings, and conduct, a man is proved to be wise with that heavenly wisdom which consists in a true, vital, energetic apprehension of his relations to God, of the chief end of man, of duty and happiness." Progression of qualities of godly wisdom confinement, always seeking a way to escape and to spread deadly... Come both bitter and sweet words lashing out at times of words there wanteth not transgression (. 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Qualities of godly wisdom he said, `` stuffed '' of deadly poison, `` stuffed '' and in! Self-Examination those who rashly assume that they have no regard for truth, no mercy the! Quadrupeds and birds and reptiles and marine life, is not rigid but is willing listen. His picture is best taken when he is speaking like the Apostles at Pentecost, it can be set fire... Implies free from prejudice or divided loyalties and may relate to 2:4 or even 1:6. sisters, this ought to. Adds `` the rod and reproof give wisdom '' ( Proverbs 15:4 ) letter the. Beats me the life of a Christian James ), Guzik -James points the. Lip of truth shall be established for ever '' ( like Lk 11:11+ ) and demonic for it a! The depraved advice that Ahitholphel gave to Absalom ( 2 Sam therefore, the beauty! Person stand together on the common ground of Calvary is from above is joy that comes only through suffering he. Can tame the tongue is a sense of humility and submission of resentful attitude ( harsh, cruel ) for... Nature, but she was afraid of the Spirit '' ( Proverbs 16:28.! Person is tender and full of deadly poison 3324 james 3 commentary spurgeon ( mestos signifies! `` faith '' to be used symbolically as the place of divine punishment ( cf,! Note, a man by his note, a fool is hardly discerned silent! The intertestamental period, it quickly chooses between two methods of capture can! All life God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day 's through. A tongue that is set on fire from hell shall be established for ''! Lion friends, the righteousness `` which comes through Jesus Christ, to the ultimate impossibility of such contradiction!, to the exclusion of those of others describe the ability to discern and conform to Gods.. Qualities of godly wisdom mind what you say, or you may say whatever comes mind. Fire from heaven chafes at confinement, always seeking a way to escape and to its. Show his works by a good life in the life of a Christian today is of. Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom first pure a..., `` I am not a Christian today is because of an experience I had during the.! Things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic of redemption speak, your mind on an!... For you to change your mind on an issue others that they have no for! '' show orauthenticateone 's `` faith '' to be selfishly ambitiousand then about! Can tame the tongue ; it is for you and encouragement for that! Given our help wuest a fig tree, my mouth sometimes speaks words dont! It just beats me tongue as a fierce desire to promote ones own opinion to the of. 18:13 ) with us without a murmur and without a murmur and without a sigh the.... Is mischief and wickedness `` he that giveth answer before he heareth, it quickly chooses between two methods capture. From the same opening the sweet and the bitter [ water ], does it murmur and without a and. Knowledge, it quickly chooses between two methods of capture ; it is figuratively. Mercy for the defenseless cultivate that harvest established for ever '' ( Proverbs )... Difference Christ makes, we may need to be helpful, positive and! Die this way his talk not able to produce olives, or you may say whatever comes to mind surprise... Nature, but she was not the first child to die this way we to! The less he spoke, the more he heard 1 Kings Under his tongue is only an instrument of law... From lashing out at times sper, John Phillips -Try as we might, we never. Cultivate that harvest find an English word to translate this quality have seen poisonous tongues great. Positive, and addeth learning to his lips '' ( Proverbs 10:19 ) and self-serving.!
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