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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:10

Out of the same mouth - This saying is something like that, Proverbs 18:21 ; : Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and on this, for an illustration of St. James' words, hear Vayikra Rabba, sec. 33: "Rabbi Simeon, the son of Gamaliel, said to his servant Tobias, Go and bring me some good food from the market: the servant went, and he bought tongues. At another time he said to the same servant, Go and buy me some bad food: the servant went, and bought tongues. The master said,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:7

Verse 7 7For every kind of beasts. This is a confirmation of the last clause; for that Satan by the tongue rules most effectively he proves by this — that it can by no means be brought to due order; and he amplifies this by comparisons. For he says that there is no animal so savage or fierce, which is not tamed by the skill of man, — that fishes, which in a manner inhabit another world, — that birds, which are so quick and roving — and that serpents, which are so inimical to mankind, are... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:9

Verse 9 9Therewith, or, by it, bless we God. It is a clear instance of its deadly poison, that it can thus through a monstrous levity transform itself; for when it pretends to bless God, it immediately curses him in his own image, even by cursing men. For since God ought to be blessed in all his works, he ought to be so especially as to men, in whom his image and glory peculiarly shine forth. It is then a hypocrisy not to be borne, when man employs the same tongue in blessing God and in cursing... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:10

Verse 10 This particular truth ought also to be borne in mind, that severe censors discover their own virulence, which they suddenly vomit forth against their brethren whatever curses they can imagine, after having in sweet strains offered praises to God. Were any one to object and say, that the image of God in human nature has been blotted out by the sin of Adam; we must, indeed, confess that it has been miserably deformed, but in such a way that some of its lineaments still appear.... read more

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

Fourth illustration , involving a proof of the terrible power of the tongue for evil. All kinds of wild animals, etc., can be tamed and have been tamed: the tongue cannot be. What a deadly power for evil must it therefore be! The famous chorus in Sophocles, 'Antigone,' 1. 332, s eq. , πολλὰ τὰ δεινὰ κοὐδὲν ἀνθώπου δεινότερον πέλει , is quoted by nearly all commentators, and affords a remarkable parallel to this passage. Every kind of beasts , etc.; literally, every... 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 3:8

It is an unruly evil ; rather restless , reading ἀκατάστατον ( א , A, B) for ἀκατάσχετον of Textus Receptus (C, K, L); Vulgate, inquietum malum (cf. James 1:8 ). The nominatives in this verse should be noticed: "The last words are to be regarded as a kind of exclamation, and are therefore appended in an independent construction". A restless evil! Full of deadly poison! Compare the abrupt nominative in Philippians 3:19 with Bishop Light-feet's note. Deadly ( ... read more

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