(16) For where envying and strife is, there is confusion.—Where emulation, zeal, and rivalry exist, there also are sedition, anarchy, restless disturbance, and every villainous act. The whole state is evil, and utterly contrary to the rule of the Gospel—“For words and names let angry zealots fight:Whose life is in the wrong can ne’er be right.” read more
James 3:2 She gossiped, like all the rest of Old Chester; but by some mysterious method, Susan Carr's gossip gave the listener a gentler feeling towards his kind. When she spoke of her neighbour's faults, one knew that somehow they were simply virtues gone to seed; and what was more remarkable, her praise had no sting of insinuation in it, no suggestion that she could speak differently if she chose. Margaret Deland, Philip and His Wife, p. 44. References. III. 2. J. Keble, Sermons for... read more
Chapter 16THE WISDOM THAT IS FROM BELOW.James 3:13-16THIS section, which again looks at first sight like an abrupt transition to another subject, is found, upon closer examination, to grow quite naturally out of the preceding one. St. James has just been warning his readers against the lust of teaching and talking. Not many of them are to become teachers, for the danger of transgressing with the tongue, which is great in all of us, is in them at a maximum, because teachers must talk. Moreover,... read more
III. THE EVILS OF THE TONGUE CORRECTED CHAPTER 3 1. The tongue and its work (James 3:1-12 ) 2. The wisdom which is earthly and the wisdom that is from above (James 3:13-18 ) James 3:1-12 The practical character of this Epistle is still more evidenced by the contents of this chapter. The tongue is the member of the human body which is made prominent. The human tongue is a great and wonderful gift of the Creator; with which no other earthly creature is endowed. It is written: “Out of the... read more
Here we begin a fourth division of the book, which continues to the end of Ch.4; in which our walk is tested by the circumstances of the world. Certainly in the previous chapters there is emphasis also on practical life; but there connected with its proper motive of faith in the living God. Now we no longer see faith mentioned, but evident outward conduct. Not all are teachers in the sense of having that special gift; and it is a dangerous thing for one to assume himself a teacher who is not... read more
CONTROL OF THE TONGUE The third chapter contains instruction or admonition concerning the control of the tongue (James 3:1-18 ). Just as the instruction in the other instances grew out of something written in the first chapter, so also here. He had exhorted them to be “swift to hear and slow to speak”; following that he had showed them how to hear in the sense that they must be doers of what they hear; and now he would show them how to be slow of speech in the sense that they should “set a... read more
(15) This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (16) For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. Let the Reader look into the circumstances of common life, and behold the multitude of... read more
But if you have bitter zeal. He hints at that bitter, false zeal, which many teachers among the Jews, even after their conversion, were apt to retain against the converted Gentiles, pretending with lies, and against the truth of the Scriptures, that they are not to be made partakers of the blessings brought to all nations by the Messias. --- Glory not, boast not in this pretended wisdom, which descendeth not from above, from God, but which is earthly, sensual, diabolical, from an evil... read more
13-18 These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. He who thinks well, or he who talks well, is not wise in the sense of the Scripture, if he does not live and act well. True wisdom may be know by the meekness of the spirit and temper. Those who live in malice, envy, and contention, live in confusion; and are liable to be provoked and hurried to any evil work. Such wisdom comes not down from above, but springs up from earthly principles, acts... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:1-18
The Control of the Tongue1, 2. Warning against undue eagerness to teach: cp. Matthew 12:37; Matthew 23:7; Romans 2:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40; Ephesians 4:11. Masters] better, ’teachers.’ The position of a teacher is one of great responsibility. Greater condemnation] RV ’heavier judgement’ (Luke 12:48). We all frequently err (RV ’stumble,’ better than AV offend). There is no such thing as human infallibility. That which is most likely to cause us to err is the tongue... read more