Tiago 3:2-3 NVT

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 3:2

γὰρ gives the reason for this κρίμα . We shall be judged because in many things we all stumble, and it is implied that teachers are in danger of greater condemnation, because it is almost impossible to govern the tongue completely. With the thought comp. Ecclesiastes 7:20 , "There is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not." πολλά is adverbial, as in Matthew 9:14 , and may be either " No se ipsos quidem excipiunt apostoli " (Bengel). If any stumbleth not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:2-6

The Tower of the tongue. Passing from the peculiar responsibility which attaches to teachers of religion, James proceeds to speak generally of the enormous influence of the faculty of speech, especially upon the speaker himself, and of the abuse to which it is liable. I. A DIRECT STATEMENT OF THIS POWER . "If any stumbleth not in word, the same," etc. (verse 2). In most cases, the capacity to control one's utterances indicates the measure of one's attainment as regards the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:3

Illustration of the last statement of James 3:2 . The bit in the horse's mouth enables us to turn about the whole body. So the man who can govern his tongue has the mastery over the whole body. A remarkable parallel is afforded by Sophocles, 'Antigone,' 1. 470, σμικρῷ χαλινῷ δ οἷδα τοὺς θυμουμένους ἵππους καταρτυθέιτας . So also Philo, 'De Op. Mundi,' p. 19, τὸ θυμικώτατον ζῶον ἵππος ῥᾳδίως ἄγεται χαλινωθείς . The manuscript; authority is overwhelming in favor... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 3:2

For in many things we offend all - We all offend. The word here rendered offend, means to stumble, to fall; then to err, to fail in duty; and the meaning here is, that all were liable to commit error, and that this consideration should induce men to be cautious in seeking an office where an error would be likely to do so much injury. The particular thing, doubtless, which the apostle had in his eye, was the peculiar liability to commit error, or to do wrong with the tongue. Of course, this... read more

Albert Barnes

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

Behold, we put bits in the horses” mouths ... - The meaning of this simple illustration is, that as we control a horse by the bit - though the bit is a small thing - so the body is controlled by the tongue. He who has a proper control over his tongue can govern his whole body, as he who holds a bridle governs and turns about the horse. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 3:1-2

James 3:1-2. Be not many masters Διδασκαλοι , teachers. Let none of you rashly, and without proper qualifications, undertake the office of teachers of others; an office into which many are ready to intrude themselves, without being called of God to it. “The great desire which the Jewish Christians, to whom this letter was written, had to become teachers in the church after their conversion, and to inculcate the obligation of the law of Moses, is noticed by St. Paul, 1 Timothy 1:7. ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 3:3-5

James 3:3-5. Behold, &c. As if the apostle had said, Think not the tongue a weak member because it is small; we put bits in the horses’ mouths that they may obey us May go as we direct them; and, strong, and sometimes furious as they are; we turn about their whole body Influence as we please all their motions. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great So large and heavy, and are driven frequently by fierce winds which seem to be irresistible, yet are they turned... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:1-12

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:2

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:2-6

The Pulpit Commentary - James 3:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - James 3:2

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

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 3:1-2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - James 3:3-5

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