Jas James, chapter Epistle of James, chapter 3
The Tongue Is a Fire
Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a 3:1 Or greater condemnation; i.e., for erroneous doctrinestricter judgment. Mat 23:8For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in 3:2 Lit wordwhat he says, he is a perfect man, able to 3:2 Or hold in checkrein in the whole body as well. 1Ki 8:46Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among 3:6 Lit our partsour body’s parts as that which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our 3:6 Or existence, originlife, and is set on fire by 3:6 Gr Gehennahell. Pro 16:27; Mat 15:18For every 3:7 Lit naturespecies of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human 3:7 Lit naturerace. But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Psa 140:2With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; Gen 1:27from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. Does a spring send out from the same opening both 3:11 Lit sweetfresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce 3:12 Lit sweetfresh.Luk 6:44
Wisdom from Above
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. Mat 5:16; 2Ti 2:24But if you have bitter jealousy and 3:14 Or strifeselfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, 3:15 Or unspiritualnatural, demonic. For where jealousy and 3:16 Or strifeselfish ambition exist, 3:16 I.e., in that placethere is disorder and every evil thing. 1Co 3:3But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, 3:17 Or willing to yieldreasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, 3:17 Or unwaveringimpartial, free of hypocrisy. Mat 5:7; 2Co 6:6; Gal 5:22; 1Ti 1:5And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace 3:18 Or forby those who make peace.Isa 32:17