Jameschapter 3
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A.A Small Tongue Sets a Forest Ablazevv. 1-12
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. 4 Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
B.Earthly Wisdom and the Wisdom From Abovevv. 13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
Chapter summary
'Be not many of you teachers… knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment', because teaching is talking, and talking is the problem.
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Chapter summary
'Be not many of you teachers… knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment', because teaching is talking, and talking is the problem.
Read the rest, the context and the outline ▾Show less ▴
'Be not many of you teachers… knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment', because teaching is talking, and talking is the problem. Bits turn horses and a small rudder turns a great ship, and 'the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!' Every kind of beast has been tamed, but the tongue can no man tame. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and curse men made after the likeness of God: 'these things ought not so to be.' Two wisdoms then divide, the earthly, sensual, devilish, and 'the wisdom that is from above,' first pure, then peaceable, full of mercy and good fruits (3:17).
Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory, Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary, John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and John Calvin, Commentaries.
Context
Epistle · James — James overview
- A. 1–12 A Small Tongue Sets a Forest Ablaze
- B. 13–18 Earthly Wisdom and the Wisdom From Above
Top cross-references8 chapters ▾
James 33 verses
- James 3:14But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.
- James 3:16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
- James 3:17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- Read James 3 →
James 12 verses
- James 1:17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
- James 1:26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
- Read James 1 →
1 Peter 32 verses
- 1 Peter 3:9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
- 1 Peter 3:10For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
- Read 1 Peter 3 →
Galatians 52 verses
- Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Galatians 5:23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
- Read Galatians 5 →
4 more chapters this one speaks with
Matthew 52 verses
- Matthew 5:5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
- Matthew 5:9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
- Read Matthew 5 →
1 Corinthians 32 verses
- 1 Corinthians 3:3for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?
- 1 Corinthians 3:19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”
- Read 1 Corinthians 3 →
1 Corinthians 131 verse
- 1 Corinthians 13:4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
- Read 1 Corinthians 13 →
1 Timothy 11 verse
- 1 Timothy 1:7They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.
- Read 1 Timothy 1 →
Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.