James 3:2

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

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

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - James 3:1-12

3:1-5:6 WORLDLY AMBITION AND CHRISTIAN FAITHControl of the tongue (3:1-12)James warns his readers not to be too ambitious to be teachers in the church, because if they instruct others and then fail themselves, they will receive greater judgment. This places teachers in particular danger, because they cannot avoid making some mistakes (3:1-2). A person who can control his tongue can control the whole self. Just as the bit controls the horse and the rudder controls the ship, so the tongue... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - James 3:2

offend all = all stumble. See James 2:10 . If . App-118 . any man = any one. App-123 . in . App-104 . word . App-121 . perfect . App-125 . man . App-123 . also . Should come after "body". bridle . See James 1:26 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - James 3:2

For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.In many things we all stumble ... We cannot agree with Lenski who labeled this "James' great confession of sin."[5] The "we" in this place is accommodative, through considerations of tact, and is used in exactly the same manner as Paul's frequent use of it in such passages as Hebrews 2:3; 6:3, etc. (where it is likewise misunderstood by many). James was not here making... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - James 3:2

James 3:2. For in many things we offend all, &c.— "The many infirmities, to which the best of us are subject, may indeed teach us to think with awe of that exact trial which we are to undergo on the great day, and induce us to fly to the only refuge of sinners, the Blood of the covenant; for in many things we offend all; we are too ready to trip and stumble in our walk. But if any one is enabled to keep a bridle upon his tongue, that it utter no opprobrious, false, or other sinful words,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - James 3:2

2. all—The Greek implies "all without exception": even the apostles. offend not—literally "stumbleth not": is void of offence or "slip" in word: in which respect one is especially tried who sets up to be a "teacher." read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 3:1-12

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - James 3:2

2. The reason for the warning 3:2The person who speaks much is going to err in his or her speech much because the tongue is the hardest member of the body to control. No one has been able to master it yet except Jesus Christ. Yet spiritual maturity requires a tamed tongue (cf. Titus 1:11)."Although not all sins laid to the account of one person are necessarily the same as those shared by others, all persons have at least one sin in common, namely, the sin of the tongue." [Note: Martin, p. 109.] read more

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