James 3:13

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 3:13

(13) Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge?—Who is wise, i.e., in the wisdom of God, and learned in that of man? The latter state is of knowledge natural or acquired, the former is Sophia, the highest heavenly wisdom, “the breath of the power of God—the brightness of the everlasting light—more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of the stars” (Wis. 7:25-29). Just as the devils hold with man the lower kinds of faith, that is belief merely (James 2:19), so do they share in his... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - James 3:1-18

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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - James 3:13-16

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

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - James 3:1-18

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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - James 3:13

3:13 {9} Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.(9) The eighth part, which goes with the former concerning meekness of mind, against which he sets envy and a contentious mind: in the beginning he shuts the mouth of the main fountain of all these mischiefs, that is, a false persuasion of wisdom, whereas nonetheless there is no true wisdom, but that which is heavenly, and shapes our minds to all types of... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:1-18

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

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - James 3:1-18

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

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - James 3:1-14

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (2) For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (3) Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. (4) Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - James 3:9-13

By it we bless God, &c. Such different effects from the same cause, as of blessing God, and cursing men, created to the likeness of God, seem contrary to the ordinary course of nature; from a fountain from the same source doth not send forth both sweet and bitter streams. --- Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? &c. This seems to be connected with the admonition given at the beginning of the chapter, be not many masters; let none pretend to this but who have... read more

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