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james 3:1-18

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James 3:1-18

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”

— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

1. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2. For 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. 3. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4. Behold 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. 5. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6. And 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. 7. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8. But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet [water] and bitter? 12. Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so [can] no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. 13. Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish. 16. For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work. 17. But 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. 18. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

James 3:1-18 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on James 3:1

Theological / Devotional

My brethren. See James 2:1, 5, 14; see on James 1:2. The apostle continues the main themes introduced in James 1. He urges his fellow church members to make a life habit of hearing and studying the “engrafted word” (see on James 1:19, 21, 25). This program will result in “meekness” (James 1:21), impartiality to rich and poor (James 2:1-13), and genuine faith (James 2:15-26). Furthermore, a proper understanding of the goal of Christlikeness will give urgency to the necessity for control over hasty speech (see on chs. 1:19, 26; 2:12). Chapter 3 expounds the responsibility of each church member with respect to hasty, ill-advised speech (see on vs. 2-8). This chapter further amplifies the inseparability of faith and works, in that genuine faith is manifested in a Christlike character (see on vs. 9-18).

Be not. Or, “stop becoming.”

Masters. Gr. didaskaloi, “teachers.” In the economy of the Christian church the Holy Spirit qualifies certain persons to be teachers (see on Eph. 4:11).

We. The apostle includes himself, both as a teacher and as one prone to the dangers and mistakes of this high office. In so doing he reveals the spirit of genuine humility that he also urges upon his brethren.

Greater condemnation. That is, a more severe judgment. There are degrees of responsibility in the work of the Lord, and those who presume to teach will be held accountable both for their personal conduct and for their influence upon others (see on Matt. 23:14). The teacher is expected to know God’s will more thoroughly than others, and his conduct should be correspondingly exemplary.

By SdaBc

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