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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:1-12

WARNING AGAINST OVER - READINESS TO TEACH , LEADING TO A DISCOURSE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNMENT OF THE TONGUE . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:1-12

Speech I. THE GREAT RESPONSIBILITY OF TEACHERS . This is forcibly shown by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:15 , etc. Even of those who have built upon the right foundation the work is to be tested by fire, and "if any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." What, then, must be the "greater condemnation "in store for others whose very foundation was faulty? In a commentary especially designed for teachers of others, a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:1-12

The ethics of speech. In these verses is dealt a rebuke against the craving for authority, which, as he reminds them, involves "heavier judgment." How? Partly as coming under judgment itself (see Matthew 23:8-10 ); partly as involving increased responsibility. And responsibility and judgment are very near akin. More especially, in these words of warning, he has in view that confused assembly of theirs, in which all vied together in attempts to speak. How great the danger of "stumbling"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:7-12

The tongue ungovernable and inconsistent. At first the apostle had reminded his readers that speech may be made a great power for good ( James 3:2-4 ). Then he went on to say that in actual fact it is employed by most men as an engine of evil ( James 3:5 , James 3:6 ). He proceeds now to justify his strong language on this point. I. THE UNTAMABLENESS OF THE TONGUE . ( James 3:7 , James 3:8 ) We have here a fourfold classification of the inferior creatures. God gave... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:9-10

Examples of the restless character of the tongue: "With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it too we curse men who are made in his image." In the first clause we should read κύριον ( א , A, B, C, Coptic, Syriac, ff, and some manuscripts of the Vulgate) for θεόν (Receptus, with K, L, and Vulgate). Made after the similitude of God ; better, likeness ( ὁμοίωσις ) . The words, which are taken from Genesis 1:26 ( καὶ εἷπεν ὁ θεὸς ποιήσωμεν ἄνθρωπον κατ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:11-12

Illustrations showing the absurdity of the conduct reprobated. From one principle opposite things cannot be produced. Nothing can bring forth that which is not corresponding to its nature. How, then, can the tongue yield both blessing and cursing? It will be seen that the thought in (2) is different from that in Matthew 7:16 , to which it bears a superficial resemblance. There the thought is that a good tree cannot yield bad fruit. Here it is that a tree must yield that which... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 3:10

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing - The meaning here may be, either that out of the mouth of man two such opposite things proceed, not referring to the same individual, but to different persons; or, out of the mouth of the same individual. Both of these are true; and both are equally incongruous and wrong. No organ should be devoted to uses so unlike, and the mouth should be employed in giving utterance only to that which is just, benevolent, and good. It is true, however,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 3:11

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place - Margin, “hole.” The Greek word means “opening, fissure,” such as there is in the earth, or in rocks from which a fountain gushes.Sweet water and bitter - Fresh water and salt, James 3:12. Such things do not occur in the works of nature, and they should not be found in man. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 3:12

Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive-berries? - Such a thing is impossible in nature, and equally absurd in morals. A fig-tree bears only figs; and so the tongue ought to give utterance only to one class of sentiments and emotions. These illustrations are very striking, and show the absurdity of that which the apostle reproves. At the same time, they accomplish the main purpose which he had in view, to repress the desire of becoming public teachers without suitable qualifications. They... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 3:9-10

James 3:9-10. Therewith bless we God That is, therewith mankind bless God; for the apostle, as appears from the next clause, did not speak of himself particularly, or of his fellow-apostles, or even of true private Christians, who certainly do not curse men. Perhaps in this last clause he glanced at the unconverted Jews, who often cursed the Christians bitterly in their synagogues. Made after the similitude of God Which we have indeed now lost, but yet there remains from thence an... read more

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