8. no man—literally, "no one of men": neither can a man control his neighbor's, nor even his own tongue. Hence the truth of :- appears. unruly evil—The Greek, implies that it is at once restless and incapable of restraint. Nay, though nature has hedged it in with a double barrier of the lips and teeth, it bursts from its barriers to assail and ruin men [ESTIUS]. deadly—literally, "death-bearing." read more
9. God—The oldest authorities read, "Lord." "Him who is Lord and Father." The uncommonness of the application of "Lord" to the Father, doubtless caused the change in modern texts to "God" ( :-). But as Messiah is called "Father," :-, so God the Father is called by the Son's title, "Lord": showing the unity of the Godhead. "Father" implies His paternal love; "Lord," His dominion. men, which—not "men who"; for what is meant is not particular men, but men genetically [ALFORD]. are made after . .... read more
10. The tongue, says ÆSOP, is at once the best and the worst of things. So in a fable, a man with the same breath blows hot and cold. "Life and death are in the power of the tongue" (compare :-). brethren—an appeal to their consciences by their brotherhood in Christ. ought not so to be—a mild appeal, leaving it to themselves to understand that such conduct deserves the most severe reprobation. read more
A. Controlling the Tongue 3:1-12It is particularly the misuse of the tongue in Christian worship that James addressed (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Corinthians 14:27-39). From the subject of idle faith, James proceeded to discuss idle speech.". . . in his usual ’rondo’ manner [James] returns to the theme of speech (James 1:19; James 1:26) and warns his true Christians of the dangers of the tongue . . ." [Note: Adamson, p. 138.] "It [this chapter] is also connected with that overvaluation of theory... read more
4. The uncontrollable nature of the tongue 3:7-8 read more
Apart from the Holy Spirit’s help no human being has ever been able to subdue his or her own tongue. It is much more dangerous than any deadly animal because it never rests, and it can destroy simply with words. Fire, animals, and the tongue all have power to destroy (cf. James 3:5). read more
We honor God with our words, but then we turn right around and dishonor other people with what we say. This is inconsistent because man is the image of God (Genesis 1:27)."To bless God is the sublimest function of the human tongue; thrice daily the devout Jew recited ’the Eighteen Benedictions,’ with their ending ’Blessed art Thou, O God.’" [Note: Adamson, p. 146.] "It was the pious practice among the Jews, both in speaking and in writing, to add ’Blessed [be] He’ after each utterance of the... read more
5. The inconsistency of the tongue 3:9-12 read more
Not only is this contradictory phenomenon contrary to the will of God, it is also contrary to the natural order of things."Although the believer has in the indwelling Holy Spirit the potential for controlling the tongue, he may not be appropriating this potential." [Note: Burdick, p. 188.] "To the person who speaks praise to God in the worship service and then abuses people verbally at home or at work, James commands, ’Purify your speech through the week.’ With the person who says, ’Oh, I know... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 3:10
James 3:10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth, &c.— So that "out of one and the same mouth come forth blessings and praises in one mood, and curses in another. Certainly, my Christian brethren, these contrary uses of the same tongue are monstrously incongruous and absurd; and ought, by no means, to have any place in those who make a profession of Christ and his gospel." read more