Phillips Beasts, birds, reptiles and all kinds of sea-creatures can be, and in fact are, tamed by man, but no one can tame the human tongue. 2 For we all stumble in many things. 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. 1:17; 2:3). (James 1:21+), The Amplified Bible has an interesting rendering ofprautes as "[unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom. According to its derivation, the original word strictly means belonging to the soul. The contrast with spirit and the spiritual, which is expressed in the passages that I have quoted from First Corinthians and from Jude, and implied in that now before us, is the key to the exact meaning. To keep from looking down on others, look up to the cross. "A man shall be commended according to his wisdom" (Proverbs 12:8). We practice. From strife and enmity; THOUGHT - Just from this simple analysis of who can and cannot tame their tongue, can you see why it is dangerous for a believer to knowingly marry an unbeliever? Sometimes we hear a desperate survival story of someone who cuts off their own leg to get free from a tree that has fallen on them, and then they make it to a hospital for medical treatment. Let my words bless You and others. then am I in this man greatly deceived. If you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart - Recall that godly wisdom is associated with gentleness or meekness, but now James presents a diametrically opposite picture of the attitudes in the hearts of those with ungodly wisdom. "Prove it now!" (EBC). (Ibid), Wiersbe -The deceptive thing about poison is that it works secretly and slowly, and then kills. Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill. YLT James 3:17 and the wisdom from above, first, indeed, is pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of kindness and good fruits, uncontentious, and unhypocritical: --. May God's Spirit give you the desire and the power to redeem the time, the short time you have leftto show forth the wisdom of Christ, for His glory, in His Name. ), Another Prayer - So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:17-18). (Word Biblical Commentary). James is showing that the reason cursing men is evil is because they are made in the likeness of God, the One we bless. 24). That man may not yet have had much biblical training, but he knew one truth for sure: The term Christian troublemaker is an oxymoron. (James 3 Commentary), Robert Johnstone on pure -The Christianly wise man shrinks from moral defilement of every kind. On this day of Thanksgiving, pray to the God of all wisdom. (James 3 Commentary). "Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24). Even sadder it may take much longer to reverse the adverse effects of disorder and wickedness that are reaped when seeds of worldly (earthly, natural, demonic) wisdom are sown! When we are pure (James 3:17), strong (Eph. She suffocated when the drawstring of the hood on her jacket became caught in a playground slide. Philippians When she mixed chemicals inside a plastic bottle, it exploded and she unintentionally unsettled some fellow students. Amplified But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). He also knew well the terrible joy that comes only through suffering as he lived quite afflicted (both by illness and slander). CSB James 3:11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? Gossip is rooted in ourneed to feel good about ourselves. (Burdick), Zodhiates adds that "The verb epistamaifrom which this participle is derived does not refer only to theoretical knowledge, but also to the doing of things. Faithful: Say you so! NLT James 3:16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. He expects discipline to be happening in the life of a Christian. (Exploring James), Guzik -James points to the ultimate impossibility of such a contradiction. b. By:David H. Roper(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. ", MacArthur has an excellent explanation of earthly wisdom as that which is "limited to the present, material world of time and space. 1:25; Jas. New Linguistic and Exegetical Key on epieikes -The word signifies a humble patience, a steadfastness able to submit to injustice, disgrace, and maltreatment without hatred and malice, trusting in God in spite of all of it. Pure(53)(hagnos) means freedom from defilements, contaminants or impurities (e.g., Jesus ishagnos - 1 Jn 3:3+). Interestingly, my friend didnt think this was impractical or foolish. Wise people live skillfully. Godly wisdom produces a continuing cycle of righteousness, which is planted and harvested in a peaceful, harmonious relationship between God and His faithful people and between those people themselves. bIf anyone does not stumble in 1what he says, he is a cperfect man, able to dbridle the whole body as well. Forgive me for careless, thoughtless, and angry words. That the meek should inherit the earth (Mt 5:5+)they that bear wrongs, and exemplify the love which seeketh not her own, (1 Cor 13:5+)to a world that believes in high-handedness and self-assertion, and pushing the weakest to the wall, a statement like this of the Lord from heaven cannot but appear an utter paradox. This is the very word Jesus uses when he explains to Nicodemus "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again (anothen - from above)he cannot see the kingdom of God." It may leap upon the back of the prey or pin it down with its powerful claws. "A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it" (Proverbs 29:11). Besides, he brings up his sons to follow his steps; and if he finds in any of them a foolish timorousness, (for so he calls the first appearance of a tender conscience,) he calls them fools and blockheads, and by no means will employ them in much, or speak to their commendations before others. Thomas Manton, Most of a mans sins are in his words. 4:5; 1 Tim. This tiny appliance controls the enormous power and energy of the horse and is used to give it direction. Understanding (only here in NT)(1990)(epistemon from epistamai = to know thoroughly) means to be endued with expert knowledge, understanding, expertise, knowledgeable, well-instructed, skilled (especially one having the knowledge of an expert). Paul R VanGorder (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Only when we allow God to control the content that proceeds out of our mouths can the violent tongue be truly tamed. D. Martyn Lloyd Jones, Wisdom opens the eyes both to the glories of heaven and to the hollowness of earth. (Pr 10:32) The lips of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverted. 10:28; Matt. Anon. At amusement parks, the bumper-car ride is always popular. James put it another way: The tongue . Jesus alluded to this principle in His Sermon on the Mount when he said, But let your statement be, Yes, yes or No, no; anything beyond these is of evil. Help us to speak with loving words He had been contrasting the wisdom from beneath with that from above. As persons we can communicate with one another with words -- something animals cannot do. The writers of the NT frequently recorded blessingGod the Father Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 14). James 3:1-5 New International Version Taming the Tongue 3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. You can tame a tiger, a lion, a leopard, a cheetah, and other wild animals, especially if you work with them from birth. ", Ron Blue -Small and influential, the tongue must be controlled; satanic and infectious, the tongue must be corralled; salty and inconsistent, the tongue must be cleansed. As Steven Cole says "If we all would seek to live by these seven qualities of godly wisdom, personal conflicts would be greatly minimized and harmonious relationships would blossom and grow. Reprinted by permission. Bible > Calvin's Commentaries > James 3 . Most of us would be amazed, if somebody were to follow us around with a tape recorder, and tape everything we say in entire day, and then reduce it to print, and make us read it back at the end of the day. "A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire" (Proverbs 16:27). TECHNICAL NOTE - The Textus Receptus has the word akataschetos(from a = without + katecho = hold back or control) which means that which cannot be restrained, uncontrollable, untameable, unruly. Help me, Lord, to use my words not to tear down others or build up my own reputation, but to seek the good of others first, and in so doing to serve You and Your kingdom. Everything they say has in it the sting and poison of deadly snakes (aspis). If you are always stirring up controversy over petty issues, you are not acting with godly wisdom. However, Sidis lived the remainder of his life quietly in a series of obscure mechanical jobs. I never forget and seldom forgive. The Industrial Court ruled in the case of a secretary who was fired because she sent e-mail from the office computer to several friends, griping about her superiors. She came in one day and was talking to him when suddenly they heard the vilest language imaginable. Constable writes that "Not only is this phenomenon contrary to the will of God, it is also contrary to the natural order of things.". He has the revelation of God's wisdom in Scripture and the teacher and interpreter of God's wisdom in the indwelling Holy Spirit. Here the basis for that disorderly conduct of the tongue is its "evil" nature. The opposite of unrest. They cited our differing abilities, appearances, and environments. As discussed aboveprautes is one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:23+). On one hand our tongue can praise God, speaking a good word about Him. Louw-Nida - "pertaining to freedom from anxiety and inner turmoilpeaceful, free from worry." Its venom swiftly paralyzes your nervous system, which stops your heart. People corrupted by worldly desires for beauty, wealth, and power can bring down great churches, but people who are pure and undefiled (1:27) hold churches together. (Lectures Exegetical and Practical on the Epistle of James). It is easy to see how this trait undergirds peaceable. Sometimes we, ourselves, do not know what made us say such things. 1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Children of the King should use the language of the court. James' teaching seemed to contradict Paul's teaching on the subject. James has already implied that the tongue holds sway over the whole body (James 3:2+). Hiebert explains "The present tense pictures human nature's domination of animal nature as a fact repeatedly being observed. Faithful: Now did Faithful begin to wonder; and stepping to Christian, (for he walked all this while by himself), he said to him, (but softly), What a brave companion have we got! No more can salt water yield fresh. 14:12, Gilbrant -Op is a general word for a hole or opening of any kind, whether in the ground, in a rock, in the roof or wall of a house (i.e., chimneys, doors, windows), or in the human body (i.e., ears, mouth, etc.). It follows that James is addressing this to believers, for unbelievers lack the supernatural power to obey this command. It may hurt a little and it may take a while, but God relentlessly seeks our transformation. Reprinted by permission. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). So, however little the cup of cold water be that you are able to give in Christs name, it will refresh many hearts in a lifetime if it be kept ever full, ever ready. 10:22; Ezek. Remember that the tongue speaks only what is in the heart. We have a choice (and responsibility) regarding how we can respond, but it a mysterious truth that while we are 100% responsible, we are also 100% dependent on the Spirit to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. In addition kosmos is a system or arrangement (in context a system of evil). Filled with messages for Thee; With the person who says, 'Oh, I know I talk too much,' and laughs it off, James is not amused. The bank vice-president said, "That's your soloist who sings like an angel on Sunday!" It is derived from a Greek root word which means "to cut, prick, pierce, or fasten together." Winkler writes"A word of evil from the old Serpent consigned our race to death, and, like Satan's tongue, are in a degree the tongues of all his children." "To the wise the way of life goeth upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath" (Proverbs 15:24). "The perverse tongue shall be cut off" (Proverbs 10:31). Design flaws in both the clothing and the slide made this an accident waiting to happen. "Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right" (Proverbs 16:13). The ways of - God are all severe, but they are the only ways of goodness. . 36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. It is no small matter when we open our mouths. To do right at the cost of ease, is to make peace. It is humble, transparent, simple, gentle, and gracious to the core (James 3:17). Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. And thus the tongue can be used for both good and evil (James 3:9). ASV James 3:9 Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: CSB James 3:9 We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God's likeness with it. (Ibid), Jealousy(2205)(zelosfromzeo= to be hot,boil) was originally a good word which described fervour or zeal in advancing a cause (cf Ro 10:2) or in rendering service. Is it any wonder that so manyare filled worries, anxieties, fears, doubts, uncertainties, if their primary source of wisdom is the world! Ambrose. Jesus upset their pride. Confess and remove unedifying words from your vocabulary regularly. Curtis Vaughan, How can Christ be in the heart when the devil has taken possession of the tongue? NET James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Reprinted by permission. 5:29; Matt. The answer is the same way a believer is able to control their tongue -- it is by continually beingfilled with (controlled by) the Spirit (Eph 5:18+), continually walking by the Spirit (Gal 5:16+). Have (echo) is in the present tenseindicating they were doing so as their habitual practice (even believerswrestle with these sins from time to time but not all the time). Proverbs 2:10-15 For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, 12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; 13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; 15 Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways; Proverbs 4:5-9 Acquire wisdom! Wisdom is peaceable but that does not mean peace at any price. "He that refraineth his lips doeth wisely" (Proverbs 10:19). My grandmother didnt realize it until she got home. She said, "Under God we are all equally human.". "That the wise man may.hear, and increase in learning" (Proverbs 1:5). Proverbs 13:3. Nothing is so opened more by mistake than the mouth. NRS James 3:16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. NKJ James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Is sown(present tense= the customary practice)(4687)(speirofromspao= draw out, pull) literally means to scatter (seed) and the opposite of reaping or gathering. Notice how James repeats these two negative markers of ungodly, worldly wisdom -Jealousy(seepreceding note on zelos) andSelfish ambition(see preceding note oneritheia). We can feel imprisoned by hard feelings, strained relationships, and confining circumstances. "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way" (Proverbs 14:8). Seeking nothing but Gods glory, and using no other means to attain it than those of his own prescribing.. How do I react to vengeful people? Prejudice cannot survive in soil from that ground. 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. De Haan Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom. By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. (Ibid). False teachers are often portrayed as controlled by Satan, and their teachings are demonic in nature (2 Cor 11:13-15; 1 Tim 4:1; 2 Pet 2:10; Jude 8-10)." Only God can turn bitter water sweet. Zodhiates -We all know that this business of pushing oneself forward in the political arena has as its by-product pushing down someone else, someone who is running the race with us. "Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding" (Proverbs 17:24). He tells us to be kind and compassionate instead of fault-finding and vindictive (Ephesians 4:31-32). Does this describe your Christian life? "An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips" (Proverbs 17:4). There are many rationalizations for the unrestrained use of the tongue. He will conclude his discussion of true wisdom in James 3:17-18. He even used Scripture. In a twelve-page statement, the court said, "The court agrees that if derogatory, insolent, and impertinent (words) are used toward the superior officers directly it would construe a serious misconduct on the part of (the woman)". 1:29; Rom. James is saying that the full range of iniquity finds an outlet through the tongue. lives and transform them into Your likeness. "If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest" (Proverbs 29:9). Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. Now James says that when the unbridled tongue begins to spew forth evil, this evil stains and pollutes the entire personality (the soma- a few commentators say soma may also refer to the Church which is often called a body)! Then we need to ask Him to do just that. James' other uses of kosmos -Jas. We train. All rights reserved) Woe! Zodhiates. (1) The principle established. sounding religious, but we don't put our words into action. Clearly Paul was afraid that wisdom which was earthly, natural and demonic had crept into the Church at Corinth and potentially was wreaking havoc in the harmony of the body, resulting in disorder and every evil thing. BBE James 3:10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. We review. In spiritual terms, the only heart that can produce "pure" speech is one that is regenerated (born again) and "regulated" so to speak (filled with the Spirit). Were printed each night 16:5-7). (See page 33-34 ofA memoir of the life and labors of the Rev. MacArthur illustrates how we all have been guilty of blessing and cursing -Peter confessed that Jesus was "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. -David Roper(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. The moment that Adam was confronted with his sin, he used his tongue to blame God and accuse Eve. Verses 1-18. (a) Eupeiths can mean always ready to obey. === Sample: James 1:1-4 === 1. What we say indicates who we are, whether we are still in Adam (unregenerate) or in Christ (regenerate) You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? He simply won't stop!" Pollard. It is a world of evil among the parts of our bodies, and it completely contaminates our bodies. Such a person knows how to forgive when strict justice dictates that there is a perfect right to condemn. SPEAK AND DO - In ancient Greek dramas, a person behind a curtain spoke the lines while the performer on stage acted out the role. A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use. 6:1+; Eph. If we take the word in this sense, it means that the truly wise are always ready to obey whenever God's voice comes to them. It is considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and good fruit, impartial and sincere (v. 17). NAB James 3:6 The tongue is also a fire. But it seems more probable that, like the intervening section on the tongue (James 3:2-12), this section on wisdom (James 3:13-18) applies to everyone in the churches to whom James was writing, true believers and mere professed believers. Utley on without hypocrisy -This term implies free from prejudice or divided loyalties and may relate to 2:4 or even 1:6. James 3 New King James Version The Untamable Tongue 3 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. A philosophy professor ended his letter with "It just beats me. James has 2 other uses of kalos - James 2:7 (fair name) and James 4:17 (right thing). George Santanaya, If our wisdom has been acquired without any of that eagerness and painful diligence with which the covetous man desires and seeks for his riches, it is a shrewd conjecture that it is not of the genuine sort. Jesus said its not what goes into my mouth that defiles me, but what comes out. "Be not wise in thine own eyes" (Proverbs 3:7). MacArthur -James has already made clear that disorder does not characterize Gods people but rather the double-minded man, unstable [akatastatos] (James 1:8) and the unredeemed tongue, which is a restless [akatastatos] evil and full of deadly poison (James 3:8). 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Fool uttereth all his anger ; but a wise man shrinks from moral defilement of kind! The life and labors of the hood on her jacket became caught in a playground slide of this ways..., which stops your heart tongue holds sway over the whole body ( James 3 same mouth comes and... Bring forth what is perverted one aspect of the righteous bring forth what is in the heart when devil.