In James 3:14 it is used figuratively to describe jealousy as bitter, which speaks of resentful attitude (harsh, cruel). MISINTERPRETATION: James refers to the course of nature, which has been translated wheel of beginning. Some take this to be a reference to reincarnation, since they believe life goes around in cycles of birth, death, and rebirth (into another body), and so forth. News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed that the accident was caused by human stubbornness. What James is saying is that the tongue can kindle a destructive fire which can destroy all life. Still today, the phrase crossing the Rubicon is a metaphor for passing the point of no return.. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 15:14; Jas. All rights reserved). Understanding (only here in NT)(1990)(epistemon from epistamai = to know thoroughly) means to be endued with expert knowledge, understanding, expertise, knowledgeable, well-instructed, skilled (especially one having the knowledge of an expert). AN uncontrolled tongue can get us into a ton of trouble. If your mind goes blankdon't forget to turn off the sound. To compromise with wrong, to seek for quietness by the sacrifice of righteousness, is not to secure peace, but to make it impossible. This was a theatrical term used of one who never played a part for personal gain. It can criticize and complain. His love can make the most difficult nature into a miracle of astonishing beauty. Matthew Henry :: Commentary on James 3 Chapter 3 The apostle here reproves ambition, and an arrogant magisterial tongue; and shows the duty and advantage of bridling it because of its power to do mischief. No part of us is in a more slippery place than the tongue. Psalms 64:3 Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. True wisdom is a divine revelation. The tongue can only reflect one nature at a time. But we sometimes slip back into our old habit of letting both fresh and bitter words come from our lips in our conversations about others (James 3:8-12). And one who is filled with this spiritual wisdom is enabled to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." By:Dave Branon(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. "It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy, And after vows to make inquiry" (Proverbs 20:25). From strife and enmity; so no fountain salt and sweet water is able to make. And Paul's teaching was so very decisive for Luther. (Php 2:3+)Paul used eritheia again in Philippians writing "The former (Php 1:15+ "Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife") proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition (eritheia) rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. CSB James 3:13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? (Burdick), Zodhiates adds that "The verb epistamaifrom which this participle is derived does not refer only to theoretical knowledge, but also to the doing of things. 2 Timothy We are not left to our own devices. "James reminds his readers that "no loud and pretentious claim to the possession of 'wisdom' could avail while 'out of the heart proceeded evil things.'" Verses 1-26. James also said that the wisdom that is from above is "gentle" (James 3:17), so each believer should reflect this gentleness in his life. Words spoken rashly do more harm than good. James A Visit to the Harvest Field February 4, 2018 A Visit to the Harvest Field "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. What kind are you sowing? There is a kind of clever and arrogant wisdom which separates people from one another, and which makes them look with superior contempt on others. Louw-Nida - "pertaining to human, earthly activity(primarily in contrast with divine activity)." Mt. Will be reflective of Your grace; "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way" (Proverbs 14:8). Morse pointed out that dictionary publishers dont invent words or decide the meanings that words will have. 3:13; Jas. But that woman owned property, and she had business at the bank out at Old Hickory. The King James Version Bible Commentary is a complete verse-by-verse commentary. Our society encourages us to speak out in a thoughtless way, totally disregarding the deadly impact our words may have. Children are colorblind until they hear adults making unfounded statements or see them shunning people of a different race. Phillips Have you ever known a spring to give sweet and bitter water simultaneously? In all my works Thy presence find, We think of the depraved advice that Ahitholphel gave to Absalom (2 Sam. Remind me that for everyone Spiros Zodhiates, The one who has wisdom in his head and heart does not need to shout at others. C. C. Colton, Think all you speak but speak not all you think. By such a vigorous address to this area of human behavior, in which the totality of all mankind is revealed as transgressors, either in small or in great degree . Spurgeon - We liked Burkitt better when we were younger. (BKC) (ED: wisdom and the "Restrainer," the Holy Spirit! . (2 Cor 11:13-15). Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 2:19 = it is evil and bitter For you to forsake the LORD your God; Jer. Torah-the first five books of the Hebrew Bibleis traditionally translated as the "law" but may be more accurately read as "instruction" or "guidance.". . CSB James 3:10 Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. All rights reserved), O Prince of Peace, keep us, we pray, As Isaiah declared, "The work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever" (Isa. The main reason for Luther's objection was James' teaching of justification. Christian: His name is Talkative; he dwells in our town. "Company not with him that openeth wide his lips" (Proverbs 20:19). This grace of meeknessfreedom from the spirit of wrathfulness, revenge, sullenness, under any kind of trouble, and this with relation both to God and manis closely allied to humility, and patience, and love. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (Php 4:8+). Men read what you write, whether faithless or true "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever" (Ps. 1:4; Jas. Sper. "A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it" (Proverbs 29:11). The evidence of false wisdom in control (James 3:1416) It must be sought from above. BBE James 3:8 But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death. This same location was also the ancient site of Canaanite (and even some Israelite) rituals in which theysacrificed childrento the pagan god Molech(who was of course not a god even with a little "g")! 3:6; Jas. Jesus upset their pride. James 3:13shows the practical aspect of wisdom by describing the one who is wise (godly wisdom) as demonstrating he is wise by his good behavior. Sophiaemphasizes understanding of ultimate thingssuch as life and death, God and man, righteousness and sin, heaven and hell, eternity and time. "Whoso curseth his father or his mother, His lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness" (Proverbs 20:20). The ability to listen is an essential life skill. Ronald Blue -A truly wise person does not seek glory or gain; he is gracious and giving. JAMES 3:6Does the course of nature refer to reincarnation? 20:8; Jer. Anon. Adoniram Judson), Thing(affair, matter, case) (4229)(pragma) is "that which is done or happens, deed, thing, event, occurrence, matter." That tongue confutesitself (proves itself to be false) which one while pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to him, and another while will condemn even good men if they do not just come up to the same words or expressions used by it. Today, researchers continue to try to replicate that ancient formula, but without success. Help me to control my tongue and to express myself clearly so that I wont cause dissension. By the deeds that you do, by the words that you say; I have prayed this prayer for all who are reading this note and for myself, in Jesus' Name. "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles" (Proverbs 21:23). It can be smooth as butter or as sharp as a knife. Now James contrasts false wisdom (James 3:14-16) with true (godly) wisdom he has just exhorted his readers to demonstrate through his works out of good behavior and gentleness of wisdom. 3:13; 1 Pet. 3:17). There is iniquity of all shapes and sizes in these various venues (just another reason I have "fasted from news" for over 2 years, and have subscribed to Vidangel to filter the gratuitous sex, blasphemy of Jesus' great Name and a sewer of curse words). Here the essential thought is that mercy gives attention to those in misery. It is glorying that one has been able to get up to the top in a manner that is not exactly honest, boasting that one is there because he deserves to be there and that he is enjoying the favor of God, but also that his opponent was defeated because he is not as good as oneself. Stulac -Earthly origin, in frequent New Testament usage, implies inferiority to heavenly origin. By:Keila Ochoa(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. NRS James 3:16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. That man may not yet have had much biblical training, but he knew one truth for sure: The term Christian troublemaker is an oxymoron. The envious man spoke up first and asked that one of his eyes be put out. We curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God (Ge1:26, 27; Ge 9:6)- James spoke of "double minded" in James 1:6 and here speaks of "double mouthed," or "forktongued!" Bible > Calvin's Commentaries > James 3 . 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (Jim Wilson - Fresh Illustrations), Warren Wiersbe -My wife and I once drove through a safari park, admiring the animals as they moved about in their natural habitat. But Christian wisdom is based on Christian certainties which come to us from God through Jesus Christ." James says, Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there (3:16). According to its derivation, the original word strictly means belonging to the soul. The contrast with spirit and the spiritual, which is expressed in the passages that I have quoted from First Corinthians and from Jude, and implied in that now before us, is the key to the exact meaning. But even if you dont visit Southeast Asia, youre in peril of something else that is just as deadly (James 3:8). Similarly, James produces four exhibits of things that negate wisdom." Amplified And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to Gods will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts]. In Proverbs 6:27 we read, "Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" MacArthur illustrates how we all have been guilty of blessing and cursing -Peter confessed that Jesus was "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. (James 3- IVP Commentary), Hiebert on gentleness (meekness) -The meek man does not feel a need to contend for the recognition of his rights or acceptance of his personal views. . Peace(1515)(eirenefrom verbeiro= to join or bind together that which has been separated) literally pictures the binding or joining together again of that which had been separated or divided and thus setting at one again, a meaning convey by the common expression of one having it all together. What Do You Do with a Broken Relationship? The manifestation of this wisdom (James 3:14) When the two trainers pulled the rope so that it was six feet above the surface, the second whale broke the water and jumped the mpe. (The Early Christian Letters for Everyone), In your heart (kardia- used in Jas. 1 John So, "under God" there is equalitybut only under God. He thought that he was wise and that he was defending the truth, but he was not displaying godly wisdom because he was not peaceable. Jeremy Collier, There is no solid wisdom but in true piety. "As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear" (Proverbs 25:12). True wisdom loves peace. 1 Peter Faithful: Well, my brother, I am bound to believe you; not only because you say you know him, but also because, like a Christian, you make your reports of men. But as noted with my brethren James is clearly addressing believers among whomit is not fitting or right for theirtongue to exhibit such untamed speech. The verb "flow from" (bruei), used only here in the New Testament, denotes something that is full to bursting; it indicates that the spring copiously gushes forth its water. 16:20-23). READ: James 3:1-12 My brothers and sisters, this should not happen! Brian Bell -Open your mouth & say ahhh! - a doctor often looks behind the tongue. Society pays the price for this twisted thinking at all levels, for it always leads to confusion and every evil thing (v.16). Douglas Moo -"As the fig tree cannot produce olives or the grapevine figs, so the pure heart cannot produce false, bitter, harmful speech.". 5:9), never troublemakers.ByDave Branon(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. JDB. Douglas Moo -Some who pride themselves on their wisdom and understanding are displaying a jealous, bitter partisanship that is the antithesis of the meekness produced by true wisdom. As a pastor, I have seen poisonous tongues do great damage to individuals, families, classes, and entire churches. You see, then, that when James here calls the wisdom that bore bitter wranglings as its fruit a wisdom of the soul, with an implied and well understood contrast to that wisdom of the spirit which ought to regulate all the thoughts and feelings, words and actions, of Christians, he means that it belongs entirely to the lower elements of our nature, and that its characteristics are simply those of the wisdom belonging to the men of the world, whose aim is personal honour and aggrandisement. Be not many teachers Let no more of you take this upon you than God thrusts out; seeing it is so hard not to offend in speaking much. There's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip. ; Eccl. Habakkuk Are you living wisely before a foolish world? What use is it to attract people by word of mouth, if when they examine the heart they find it empty? Swindoll saysbitter jealousy"likely refers to jealousy that harbors hard feelings. However other writers like A T Robertson make the point that "In the realm of morals, what is merely indifferent soon gets to be bad. Paul therefore prayed for the church at Ephesus, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Eph. 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. All of our conduct and conversation stems from either the one nature or the other. "Incline thine ear, and hear the words of the wise" (Proverbs 22:17). He alone is worthy and is able to give us victory. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you (Eph. It is like an enemy that cannot be contained by military force. Of course not! James minced no words in warning about the power of the tongue. God forbid that it should be so! Today, make these words of David your prayer:"Set a guard, I want to be a blessing to others, to lift them up that they might see Your goodness. Thomas Fuller, The jawbone of an ass was a killer in Samsons time. 10:16. "A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul" (Proverbs 18:7). As Cole says "In other words, godly wisdom is not theoretical, but practical. James is saying, For harmonious relationships, behave with godly wisdom, not with worldly wisdom.In typical fashion, James sets his trap and then springs it! James is rightNo man can tame the tonguebut theres plenty of help from Another. The Greek term and the English equivalent to lie involve more than simply telling what is not true, for this could occur without an intent to deceive or mislead. I do not ask for mighty words NRS James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire. ", Lenski adds thatzelos"is not as narrow as our "jealousy" but as broad as overzealousness in any matter for which one contends; hence "bitter" is appended and is to be understood in the sense in whichpikros is used in James 3:11, offensive, unpalatable to all who come in contact with this fanatic zeal. Meekness of wisdom is accepting Wisdom's dealings with us without a murmur and without a sigh. Phillips For wherever you find jealousy and rivalry you also find disharmony and all other kinds of evil. God loves us with an ardent, intense affection that can deliver us from our foolishness if we yield ourselves to Him. 12:3; Song5:4; Obad. We might refer to the speaker behind the scenes as the one who didn't "practice what he preached. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. But toward the end of World War II, seven Italian prisoners of war, who were being held at a large camp nearby, were chosen to help decorate the churchs plain brick walls. 26:74-75) (Ibid). On one hand hesays a religious man must keep a tight reign on his tongue (James 1:26) andnow he says, No man can tame the tongue (James 3:8). "The mouth of the wicked speaketh perverseness" (Proverbs 10:32). By:David H. Roper(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. They say and do the right things at the right time for the right reasons. He says, his works,that is, his works as a wise man, or, substantially, the works or fruits of his wisdom. We have here again what may be described as the central thought of this Epistle, that where religion has real saving hold of a mind and heart, it cannot from its nature but powerfully influence the outward life; and that the more a Christian has of true wisdom and spiritual knowledge, the more manifestly will his life at all points be governed by his religion. Here in Jameskataradescribes human utterance which desires evil on someone (imprecation) (. These things ought not to be so (James 3:10). Of what the world holds in death's embrace; James 3:9-10 says, With [our tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men . They thought they were right with God because they followed strict rules, including ritual cleansing of their hands before eating and eating only clean foods. Matthew Believers should not only refrain from cursing but also bless those who curse and persecute them (Luke 6:28; Romans 12:14). "Where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth" (Proverbs 26:20). For those who honestly aspire to being wise, the question is an invitation; James's answer will divulge the way to attain their aspirations. It is a temper tragically injurious to Christian fellowship." When eulogeo is used by men toward men it means to speak well of with praise and thanksgiving (English "Eulogy" = an address in praise for one deceased ). All too often, when we speak we remind everyone of our brokenness as human beings. She saw him go to the homes where there were sickness, death, and sorrow, and she watched him as he moved about the village, though she never heard him speak in public. Job recognized the capability of words to destroy when he exclaimed to his friends, "How forceful are right words!" And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. Godly wisdom produces a continuing cycle of righteousness, which is planted and harvested in a peaceful, harmonious relationship between God and His faithful people and between those people themselves. He offended the Pharisees when He said, Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man (vv.11-12). ASV James 3:7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind. Anon. BBE James 3:15 This wisdom is not from heaven, but is of the earth and the flesh and the Evil One. It comes from a rebirth of our hearts and spirit to a life truly taken captive by God. James warns that such so-called wisdom is not from God, but rather is earthly and unspiritual (v. 15). If you often share the good news about Christ, you demonstrate a heart that is grateful for your own salvation. Faithful: Well, he seems to be a very pretty man. ESV James 3:9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. James has just said the evil effects of the tongue can permeate our personality, but now widens the sphere of influence to our entire life. A sharp tongue is no evidence of a keen mind. Let the words of Paul help you to rearrange and prioritize what type of wisdom you allow into your mind and heart -, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. One is from God, and the other is from the devil. Paul told Timothy--and all believers "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men" (2 Tim. And as we have learned, none of the over 1600 NT commands can be successfully carried out in reliance on our own natural strength, but only in reliance on the supernatural strength provided by the Holy Spirit. Over the long haul, what we say gives others a pretty good idea of who and what we really are. The Industrial Court ruled in the case of a secretary who was fired because she sent e-mail from the office computer to several friends, griping about her superiors. James uses sophia 4x - Jas. During the political race, this politician has really brought out everything that he could to convey a bad impression in the minds of others about his rival, and now that he has succeeded, he is giving him a bath in muck. One Man has been shown us by God, in Whom His ideal of man was embodied; and He, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, threatened not, but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: (1 Peter 2:23+)He for those who nailed Him to the tree prayed, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Lk 23:34+) The worlds spirit of wrath, then, must be folly; whilst than a spirit of meekness (gentleness)like His (JESUS), in the midst of controversy, oppositions, trials of whatever kind, there can be no surer evidence that Jesus is made of God to His people wisdom.(Lectures Exegetical and Practical on the Epistle of James)(Bold added), Zodhiates -When everything goes wrong and troubles abound and the Christian can still go about his duties in life without revolting against God, against Wisdom, then he is possessed with this wonderful meekness of wisdom. Inspired by the Spirit, James is showing with strong words how much damage can be caused by an unbridled tongue, a "rudderless" tongue whipped around by strong winds of our fallen flesh. 3:6 and the evil one by deeds done in the humility that comes from a rebirth of conduct! That is grateful for your own salvation was so very decisive for Luther 5:9 ), in your (. 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