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James 3:9-18

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

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 3:9-18 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on James 3:9

Theological / Devotional

Therewith. Literally, “in connection with it.”

Bless. Gr. eulogeo. “to speak well of,” “to praise,” “to bless.”

God. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “Lord.” Compare James 1:1.

Curse. Evidence that we are genuine Christians is seen when we bless our enemies (see on Matt. 5:44, 45), Christ Himself did not bring against Satan “a railing accusation” (see Jude 9). Cursing springs from hate and exhibits the spirit of Satan, “the accuser of our brethren” (see Rev. 12:10). James here shows that a man may be “double-tongued,” as well as “double minded” (see on James 1:8).

Similitude. Gr. homoiosis, “likeness.” This verse refers primarily to the “likeness” of God in which man was created (see on Gen. 1:26) and which he still retains to some degree (see 1 Cor. 11:7). Even though that image has been well-nigh obliterated by sin, God has made provision whereby it may be restored.

By SdaBc