James 3:10

Out. The first sentence of v. 10 completes the thought of v. 9.

Blessing and cursing. The mixture of cursing with the blessing may suggest the insincerity of the blessing (cf. Prov. 18:21).

My brethren. Again James appeals to the fellowship of believers in Christ and to the unity found in the fatherhood of God (see v. 9). Though some of the church members to whom James writes are guilty of cursing men while blessing God, he still regards them with affection.

Ought not. Or, “it is not necessary that.” The rebuke is phrased in the most tactful terms. A deliberate understatement often adds emphasis and encourages a cooperative response. Notwithstanding the difficulty of taming the tongue, the Lord will work for us if we yield our will to Him. Actually, the thoughts must first be subdued before the tongue is tamed (see on 2 Cor. 10:5), but to control the thoughts a man must first yield his heart to God (see on James 1:14).