James 3

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 3:13-14

3:13-14 Who among you is a man of wisdom and of understanding? Let him show by the loveliness of his behaviour that all he does is done with gentleness. If in your hearts you have a zeal that is bitter, and selfish ambition, do not be arrogantly boastful about your attainments, for you are false to the truth. James goes back, as it were, to the beginning of the chapter. His argument runs like this: "Is there any of you who wishes to be a real sage and a real teacher? Then let him live a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 3:15-16

3:15-16 Such wisdom is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but is earthly, characteristic of the natural man, inspired by the devil. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil thing. This bitter and arrogant wisdom, so-called, is very different from real wisdom. James first of all describes it in itself, and then in its effects. In itself it is three things. (i) It is earthly. Its standards and sources are earthly. It measures success in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 3:17-18

3:17-18 The wisdom which comes from above is first pure, then peaceable, considerate, willing to yield, full of mercy and of good fruits, undivided in mind, without hypocrisy. For the seed which one day produces the reward which righteousness brings can only be sown when personal relationships are right and by those whose conduct produces such relationships. The Jewish sages were always agreed that the true wisdom came from above. It was not the attainment. of man but the gift of God.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - James 3:17-18

(iv) The true wisdom is eupeithes ( Greek #2138 ). Here we must make a choice between two meanings. (a) Eupeithes ( Greek #2138 ) can mean ever ready to obey. The first of William Law's rules for life was, "To fix it deep in my mind that I have but one business upon my hands, to seek for eternal happiness by doing the will of God." If we take the word in this sense, it means that the truly wise man is for ever ready to obey whenever God's voice comes to him. (b) Eupeithes ( Greek... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 3

INTRODUCTION TO JAMES 3 In this chapter the apostle cautions against censoriousness, and reproving others with a magisterial air; advises to bridle the tongue, and guard against the vices of it; and shows what true wisdom is, and from whence it comes. He advises the saints not to arrogate too much to themselves, and take upon them to be the censorious reprovers of others; which he dissuades from, by the consideration of the greater damnation such shall receive, and by the frailty of all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 3:1

My brethren, be not many masters ,.... The apostle having dispatched the subject of faith and good works, which constitute the pure and undefiled religion mentioned in James 1:27 which gave rise to this discourse, he proceeds to consider the evidence of a religious man, suggested in James 1:26 who is one that bridles the tongue; and enters into an account of the use and abuse of the tongue: and which is introduced by this exhortation; and which seems to be opposed to an affectation among... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 3:2

For in many things we offend all ,.... Or "we all offend", slip and fall; no man lives without sin; in many, in most, if not in all things, a good man himself does, he sins; and this extends to the most solemn services, and best works of a good man; there is sin in his holy things, imperfections in all his performances; his righteousnesses are as filthy rags; hence no man can be justified by his works before God, nor is any man perfect in this life, so as to be without sin in himself: the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 3:3

Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths ,.... By this, and the following simile, the apostle not only expresses the smallness of that member of the body, which is like the bit in the horse's mouth, and the helm of a ship, but the good use of it, and the great influence it has over the whole body. Horses are without understanding, and need direction in what path to go, and are strong, and would be truly and ungovernable unless bits and bridles were put into their mouths: that they may... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 3:4

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great ,.... Of so large a bulk, of such a prodigious size, and are such unwieldy vessels: and are driven of fierce winds ; with great vehemence, rapidity, and swiftness: yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth ; the helm, or tiller of a ship, is a beam or piece of timber fastened into the rudder, and so coming forward into the steerage, where he that stands at helm steers the ship F5 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - James 3:5

Even so the tongue is a little member ,.... Like the bit in the horse's mouth, or like the helm of a ship. And boasteth great things : and does them; for this word may be taken in a good sense: a bridled and sanctified tongue, that is influenced by the grace of God, and directed by the Spirit of God, as it speaks great and good things, it has great power, weight, and influence: the tongue of the just is as choice silver, and the lips of the righteous feed many, Proverbs 10:20 , the... read more

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