John the Baptist used anothen to describe Jesus "He who comes from above (anothen) is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. Beyond this text, James affirmed forgiveness of sins (cf. (Mt 15:19) Thesinful traits ofbitter jealousy and selfish ambition are sure marks of a life dominated by worldly wisdom. And, being earthly, it is sensual. (NATURAL) The word so translated occurs in the New Testament several times, but is rendered sensual only here and in a verse in Jude, where mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts, (Jude 1:18+) are described as worldly-minded (psuchikos), devoid of the Spirit (Jude 1:19+). This is sad because believers have the Holy Spirit to enable holy speech, but failure to appropriate His supernatural power and instead rely on our own natural power can yield unholy speech. It can castigate and corrupt. Gentle(1933)(epieikesfromep= upon - intensifies meaning+eiks= fair, equitable) is a Greek word that is difficult to translate. Psalms 64:3 Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. Those who are weak and helpless (Jobs reference to the "fatherless" refers to these kinds of people) can be blown away by what we say. The Lord will set a guard over my mouth; He will keep watch over the door of my lips (Ps. My friend is a Texas Aggie and has a little Dachshund dog ("weinerdog") and when you ask him "Do you want to be a Texas Longhorn," he rolls over and plays dead! 1 Samuel ReadWhat Do You Do with a Broken Relationship? Louw-Nida - "pertaining to human, earthly activity(primarily in contrast with divine activity)." APPLY THE WORD -It is easy to turn to smart friends to solve problems or to rely on our own know-how. ASV James 3:10 out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. It is easy to see how this trait undergirds peaceable. There are many rationalizations for the unrestrained use of the tongue. Everything they say has in it the sting and poison of deadly snakes (aspis). All rights reserved), More like the Master I would live and grow, That calm hostility. James 3:9. Then your lives will be an example of the humility that is born of true wisdom. Do we rejoice when others succeed, or do we have secret envy and criticism? He offended the Pharisees when He said, Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man (vv.11-12). James 3:17. (Ibid), POSB -It is contrary to the nature of believers to have an untamed tongue. If it is in your heart, you are going to say it sooner or later. ESV James 3:15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. NAB James 3:6 The tongue is also a fire. )this wisdom is not from heaven; but as it displays itself on earth, so it is also of earthly origin. The usage in Philippians 2:10 reveals an expression used to encompass every aspect of creation, in heaven, and. J. I. Packer, Wisdom is always an overmatch for strength. Were printed each night so no fountain salt and sweet water is able to make. Bibliographical Information Spurgeon, Charle Haddon. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Do we feel burdened when others fail, or are we glad? James 3:6, Today's Scripture & Insight: James 3:112, It wasnt as simple as just crossing another river. Psalm 12:3May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaks great things (cf James 3:5+);Who have said, With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?, Donald Burdick on world of iniquity- It is as though all the wickedness in the whole world were wrapped up in that little piece of flesh. "With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied" (Proverbs 18:20). 1. Willing to yield, yet resolutely pure Torah-the first five books of the Hebrew Bibleis traditionally translated as the "law" but may be more accurately read as "instruction" or "guidance.". Thus say the common people that know him, A saint abroad, and a devil at home. 11:7; Song2:3; Isa. Too often we think of wisdom as something we simply possess in our minds, but James teaches us that wisdom is practical and is shown in our daily conduct. James says wisdom is reasonable; flexible; forgiving; peaceful; caring; given to friendly visits, small acts of courtesy, and kind words. Patrick Delaney, The worst of speaking without thinking is that you say what you think. Its words will soothe and heal. William S. Plumer, Wisdom is the knowledge which sees into the heart of things, which knows them as they really are. Psalms One thing you can give and still keep is your word. It is a temper tragically injurious to Christian fellowship." It did then and it does now. David lied to Ahimelech the priest and occasioned his murder by King Saul (1 Sam. Burdick observes that "James shifts almost unnoticeably from discussing the power of the tongue (James 3:3-6) to a discussion of its perversity (James 3:7-12). others come from being allowed to have it. (Ibid), George M Stulac concludes this section on the tongue writing that "To the person who speaks praise to God in the worship service and then abuses people verbally at home or at work, James commands, 'Purify your speech through the week.' I remember that when he was a counselor at our youth camp he sometimes made off-color remarks. It is followed by obedience to Gods Word. T. C. Baird, It is a sad fact that the tongues of professing Christians are often all too busy doing the devils work. Such will stand forever and ever. ", Barclay says adiakritos "means that it is not wavering and swaying; it knows its own mind, chooses its course and abides by it. Reprinted by permission. Or, you want to prove that you are right so that you look good, but you excuse your pride by telling yourself that you are contending for the faith. Every species isa generalization, for no one has ever trained a crocodile or a hippopotamus. Hagnosdescribes wisdom that is morally undefiled and not corrupted by any form of evil in this fallen world. Seek His guidance before you express yourself. Because the trial of your faith brings honour to the Lord, therefore the Lord Himself is sure to try it that out of its trial praise may come to his grace by which faith is sustained. The existence of many of its villages depended on the availability of such a source for its water. 6:6; 1 Tim. By:Joanie Yoder(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. (ED: AND BY BEGINNING EACH DAY "filled with the Spirit" - Eph 5:18+)(Ibid), Guzik has an interesting comment -The human spirit has incredible capacity for sacrifice and self-control. 12:36). Can others see Jesus in you because of the gentleness and wisdom with which you conduct your life? NJB James 3:8 but nobody can tame the tongue -- it is a pest that will not keep still, full of deadly poison. But apart from Christ there is no wisdom. Marred by sin yes, but still retaining elements of the imago dei! "Buy the truth, and sell it not; Yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23). In a sense, churches are like ships, and many of their people are like rivets. Jesus used pege figuratively to refer to a spiritual well or source of inner nourishment (Jn 4:14+, cpJn 7:37-39) even as He was sitting by a literal well (Jn 4:6). John Phillips adds that "the negative accentuates the positive. And on more than one occasion, as my Sunday school teacher, he made degrading comments about the pastor and others in the church. "A wise son maketh a glad father" (Proverbs 15:20). This makes me think of the passage in Genesis 4 when Cain was downcast because God did not accept his offering Then the LORD said to Cain, Why are you angry? Thus the argument of James runs: Now you have stated to the world that you are wise, that you possess wisdom, namely, Jesus Christ and His Spirit. "Company not with him that openeth wide his lips" (Proverbs 20:19). To put failure behind you, face up to it. There's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip. Malachi 3:1. "The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook" (Proverbs 18:4). Not ini a boastful sense of course, but in fact with a show of gentleness (many versions render it humility)! You may say, Oh, but that's just the way I am! Woe! Yet it is also capable of great good. Two ships collided in the Black Sea in 1986, hurling hundreds of passengers into the icy waters and causing a tragic loss of life. Consider your words before you say them. Many Churches have been infiltrated with the doctrines of Hell. 2:22; Jas. (Jn 3:3, cf Jn 3:7). (Mt 5:37+). Here the blessedness is shown in its effect. Actually he misused Scripture." As discussed aboveprautes is one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:23+). 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. (Ibid). Matthew Henry :: Commentary on James 3 Chapter 3 The apostle here reproves ambition, and an arrogant magisterial tongue; and shows the duty and advantage of bridling it because of its power to do mischief. He even used Scripture. Fresh (1099)(glukus) literally means sweet (opposite of pikros), literally in James 3:11, 12. Ah, brethren, this is because we have taken in Satans conception of manliness instead of Gods. either a vine, figs? (Louw-Nida)It is anexpression ofa feeling of one's comparative superiority and so to look down upon another, boasting at the expense of another(negative sense inRo 11:18,James 3:14). Hiebert on behavior -His winsome daily conduct should demonstrate his possession of the needed practical insight and understanding to deal with the daily problems of life. We have all kinds of devices to help us communicate. "In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man" (Proverbs 12:13). CSB And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace. lives and transform them into Your likeness. He was an apostle, and he was the Lord's brother, yet he mentions not these greater things, but he takes the lowly title, in which, no doubt, he felt the highest honor, and calls himself "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." Seeking God's wisdom delivers us from the need to compare ourselves to others and to want what they have. You see, the two are mutually incompatible: A wise old owl lived in an oak The opposite of unrest. James used prautesearlier to describe "teachability", "Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility (prautes)receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls." By:Mart DeHaan(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. It is easy to want to win the argument, but you can destroy the person you are arguing with. 1 Corinthians When others are in a crisis, do they know they will find peace and comfort in your words? But the first part of the sentence is thrown into the form of a question, the construction of the whole being similar to what we find, for example, in the thirty-fourth Psalm: Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? 4 Look! From birth to the grave this fire in our mouths burns and destroys. Branon. "God is not a God of confusion (akatastasia = same word James uses in 3:16) but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." The proliferation of tongues has continued down the centuries so that now, according to the Wycliffe Bible Translators International Linguistic Center in Dallas, Texas, there are more than five thousand language groups known to exist in the world. In a single day, YLT James 3:18 and the fruit of the righteousness in peace is sown to those making peace. YLT James 3:12 is a fig-tree able, my brethren, olives to make? Neither can salt water yield sweet. The tongue is not only a "FIRE" but it is: "THE SUM TOTAL OF INIQUITY". Proverbs 13:3. He who has a constant longing for wisdom will persistently pray for it. James askstwo sets of rhetorical questions (James 3:11-12)as a means of explaining andillustrating how unnatural it is for cursing and blessing to come out of the same mouth of a born again believer (James 3:9-10). We eliminate the errors. If that connection becomes contaminated, it is only a matter of time before the whole relationship is poisoned. John Bunyan says such a person is "a saint abroad, but a devil at home." (James 2:15-16+) God's wisdom motivates us to build up rather than tear down. His love can make the most difficult nature into a miracle of astonishing beauty. Natural wisdom is that when come from the mind of fallen, unredeemed men, and therefore is able to only reflect a totally humanistic viewpoint regarding the world and men. Its authors are leading evangelical theologians who provide practical truths and biblical principles. One incendiary remark can kindle an inferno of emotional harm. Titus Because man retains likeness to God, human life is sacred. (Ibid) Courson is basing this application on the proverb which says "For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down." 23:28; Jn. The Holy Spirit is the only One who can control the tongue. 2:26; Deut. (Steven Cole), The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 16:5-7). By the time they saw the error of their ways, it was too late. Piety is disgraced in all the shows of it, if there be not charity. One sure way of becoming a blessing is allowing God to control our tongues. A hole or opening from which a spring of water issues (James 3:11)" (Zodhiates), Ope in the Septuagint (Lxx)- Ex33:22; Jdg. 6,7,11-13). ESV James 3:11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? The Lord patiently continues to work with us about the way we speak of other people. A jealous person has full hands but feels his or her own belongings or accomplishments are threatened by anothers success. And, ask God to open the persons eyes and grant repentance. Having mentioned the tongue being filled with deadly poison congeners up the image of a deadly viper and here we see the image of a forked tonguewhich such a viper would possess! Igniting anger into flame; GWN James 3:18 A harvest that has God's approval comes from the peace planted by peacemakers. Henry T. Mahan, A tongue that is set on fire from hell shall be set on fire in hell. Anastropheis used of public activity, life in relation to others. James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. (Complete Word Study Dictionary), Homoiosis in the Septuagint (Lxx)-Ge1:26; Ps. But when they are wrong, they work like a deadly venom. The tiger employs one weapon of destruction: its razor-sharp teeth set in a vice-like jaw. He must read the day's record through; . Selfish ambition("party spirit" - used again in James 3:16)(2052)(eritheiafrom eritheu = to spin woolthus working for personal gain) means self seeking, strife, contentiousness, extreme selfishness, rivalry, one who seeks only his/herown. By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. The grandest created thing certainly must be a soul that can grasp the idea of a Creator, and can love that Creator as a Father. 35:20; Ps. But as they worked on their paintings and a woodcarving of the Last Supper, one of the POWs later recalled, A spontaneous stream of good feelings began almost at once to flow among us. No one spoke of the war or the past because we were here for a work of peace and love.. He who comes from heaven is above all." (b) In Christian thought, eleos means mercy which produces good fruits, that is, which results in practical help. 4:8; Jas. By:Dave Branon(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. In its only pre-New Testament occurrences (in Aristotle), eritheia refers to the selfish ambition, the narrow partisan zeal of factional, greedy politicians, so this word may also conveythe notion of rivalry, party-spirit, or factiousness. Burdick says this is "a way of saving that it comes from the devil." GNT James 3:12 , , ; . "The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable" (Proverbs 10:32). Shortly after saying Amen, he proceeded to fuss about the preacher, the church, his job. Click the Commentary tab or pulldown menu for a full selection of commentaries over any Bible passage you are researching. (June Hunt). Thats why the wise man said in Proverbs 13:3 that we must guard our mouth. . 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. Wesley. 1:11). (James 3:13-18 Wisdom for Harmonious Relationships), Barclay on eleos -The Greeks defined it as pity for the one who is suffering unjustly; but Christianity means far more than that by eleos. Anon. 2:6-7). Grieve not (present imperative with a negative) the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Bitterness sours our speech. Proverbs 21:23, The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. (Read Romans 12:3-8) Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it. From Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs to Siberian foxes, humans have learned to tame wild animals. The small church in Umbarger, Texas, was an unlikely place for an international work of art. James 3:17, In ancient Greek dramas, a person behind a curtain spoke the lines while the performer on stage acted out the role. see Ps 10:4) is full of curses and deceit and oppression. You may say, Ive tried to, but I have no power to subdue it. James agreed: No man can tame the tongue (James 3:8). "), Matt. 3:17. His question does not imply that none is wise but challenges to self-examination those who rashly assume that they are. These things ought not so to be; and, if such considerations were always at hand, surely they would not be. to be subject to another, Id. Scientists have determined that faulty rivets may have caused the rapid sinking of the unsinkable HMSTitanic. The Amplified Version functions almost like a "mini-commentary" - "[The fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts]. Confess and remove unedifying words from your vocabulary regularly. James 1:1. Here are all 11 uses of prautes in the NT - 1 Co. 4:21; 2 Co. 10:1; Gal. James warns that such so-called wisdom is not from God, but rather is earthly and unspiritual (v. 15). Who teaches us how to GROW TALLER THROUGH TESTING. It would be a great pity to stir up impure minds. All rights reserved), Have Thine own way, Lord! I wonder that you should be a stranger to him, only I consider that our town is large. Robertson -It is a moral incongruity for blessing and cursing to come out of the same mouth. Thomas Brooks, We know metals by their tinkling and men by their talking. "A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment" (Proverbs 16:10). If your words bless and encourage others, they give evidence of a compassionate heart. 1. In addition kosmos is a system or arrangement (in context a system of evil). "The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise" (Proverbs 15:31). 2 Corinthians We trust the SpiritHe's our Guide, Reprinted by permission. "Do not delay!" Fetid meansoffensively malodorous. (James 3 Commentary), Robert Johnstone on pure -The Christianly wise man shrinks from moral defilement of every kind. (James 1:21+), The Amplified Bible has an interesting rendering ofprautes as "[unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom. Embarrassed, he turned to his partner and said, "I don't know why I said that. Phillips translates it, "It is an evil always liable to break out." My brethren, these things ought not so to be. . We have here, you observe, the truth brought before us, that genuine Christian wisdom, whether it lead a man to become a teacher in the church or not, will, at all events, in all cases find expression through giving spiritual loveliness to the whole daily life. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield. With Gods help, we must learn to control our tongue. James 3:7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. The sweet spirit God wants for us cannot exist in a heart polluted by bitterness. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Is it wise to be bitterly envious of other peoples possessions, talents, or good looks? The things he writes here apply to harmonious relationships in the church, but also in our homes and in all of life. Sad contrast between wild animals that can be tamedand mankind's wild tongue which cannot be tamed. There is an English idiom "a world of trouble," which means "very much trouble." He commands, 'Discipline your speaking.' It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ASV James 3:7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind. John Calvinwrote that "True wisdom consists principally of two parts: the knowledge of God, and the knowledge of ourselves! Deeds is ergon which is used 12x in James, most concentrated in the discussion of faith and works (ergon) -Jas. "Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life" (Prov. (See below) The harsh reality is that many a man speaks with perfect courtesy to strangers and preaches love and gentleness and yet snaps with ungracious and impatient anger at his family. (Ibid). (Ibid). "A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth" (Proverbs 13:2). Wisdom, wrote Charles Spurgeon, is a beauty of life that can only be produced by Gods workmanship in us.. Comment - Jesus' point is that both our yes and our no should be an honest reply. Gossip, like other sins, is like ''dainty morsels" (Pr26:22). Instead of promoting harmony, this "wisdom" causes disruption and unruliness; instead of creating closer fellowship among the members, it destroys it. They aimed bitter (pikros) speech as their arrow. When I begin to grade the papers from the students in my college freshman writing class, Im rather lenient about correcting their mistakes, hoping I wont see the same errors again. They will find peace and love `` very much trouble. know what is acceptable '' Proverbs. And men by their tinkling and men by their talking a moral incongruity for blessing and cursing to out... We feel burdened when others succeed, or do we rejoice when others succeed, or do we feel when..., then peaceable, gentle, james 3 commentary spurgeon to yield international work of peace and comfort in your words and! If there be not charity to his partner and said, `` it is evil... Affirmed forgiveness of sins ( cf every kind, most concentrated in the Septuagint ( Lxx ) -Ge1:26 ;.! Dehaan ( our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI the man... Remark can kindle an inferno of emotional harm wisdom is always an overmatch for strength others see Jesus in because... Small church in Umbarger, Texas, was an unlikely place for an international work art. Or arrangement ( in context a system or arrangement ( in context system. Course, but that 's just the way we speak of other peoples possessions, talents, or good?... The day of redemption these things ought not so to be bitterly envious of other peoples possessions talents. 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