MY BROTHERS. See note on James 1:2. NOT MANY OF YOU. Some, in their conceit, wanted to immediately become teachers. The burning passion of certain Jews was to teach the Law of Moses to the Gentile Christians. But these Jews had not yet gotten rid of their prejudices and misunderstandings (1 Timothy... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL OF US. No Christian is completely without sin! This included James himself. See what John says in 1 John 1:8-10. But it is more serious when a teacher makes a mistake. IN WHAT HE SAYS. James is thinking of the _ranting and raving_ which certain Jews did in arguing matters of religion, as well as... [ Continue Reading ]
WE PUT A BIT. "We use a _bit_ in the mouth of a horse to control it. Such a small thing has great influence.... [ Continue Reading ]
A VERY SMALL RUDDER. "A rudder is small compared to the ship, but it controls its direction.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO IT IS. "Even though the tongue is small, it can control us, just like the bit controls the horse or the rudder controls the ship." IT CAN BOAST. _Mayor_ says: "There is no idea of vain boasting, the whole argument turns upon the reality of the power which the tongue possesses." CAN BE SET ON FIRE... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE TONGUE. "Not only will the tongue destroy others when it is uncontrolled, but it destroys the one who uses it as well!" FROM HELL ITSELF. The ranting and raving of these teachers did not come from God, but was from hell itself and totally evil! Compare James 1:20 and note.... [ Continue Reading ]
MAN IS ABLE TO TAME. "Human ingenuity has tamed and used all the other creatures of the earth!... [ Continue Reading ]
HAS EVER BEEN ABLE. _MacKnight_ says: "But the tongue of _other_ men no one is able to subdue." James 3:2 shows that it is possible to control our own tongue, even though few do it. FULL OF DEADLY POISON. The tongue often brings death to those on whom it is _let loose_! See Psalms 140:1-3.... [ Continue Reading ]
WE USE IT. James includes himself, but he aims this in particular against certain Jewish "teachers." They would never speak the name of God without adding: "Blessed be He." But these same Jews (who did not believe in Christ) often cursed and damned the Christians in their synagogues. We are no bette... [ Continue Reading ]
WORDS. These are a contradiction! If you love God and praise Him, you cannot curse your fellow-men. You cannot be both holy and unholy at the same time.... [ Continue Reading ]
NO SPRING OF WATER. "No such stupidity is found in the natural world!... [ Continue Reading ]
A FIG TREE. "A fig tree cannot produce such opposite fruits!" NOR CAN SALTY WATER. "It is just as unnatural for the same tongue to praise God and curse man made in the likeness of God!... [ Continue Reading ]
IS THERE SOMEONE? "Although you cannot control other men's tongues, you can control your own. Someone who is wise and understanding must prove it by his good life. True wisdom shows itself in good actions performed with humility and wisdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF IN YOUR HEART. Compare Matthew 15:18 and note. "If you have jealousy, bitterness, and selfishness in your heart against others, and this comes off your tongue as curses against others, you must not be proud as though these things were wisdom. To be proud of such action is to lie against the t... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS KIND OF WISDOM. The kind that produces jealousy, bitterness, and selfishness. Heaven is not the source of such things! IT BELONGS TO THE WORLD. "This unholy method of trying to spread religion by ranting and raving is not God's way! It is both unspiritual and comes from demons! The _Expositor's... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE. "Where there is jealousy because of opinions and selfishness which brings _party spirit_ in defending them, there you will also find disorder (Acts 17:5) and every kind of evil deed.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE WISDOM FROM ABOVE. "This is the kind of wisdom which ought to guide every teacher of religion!" PURE. Not adulterated with false teaching and evil desires. PEACEFUL, in contrast to the quarreling and fighting of the other "wisdom" (James 3:15). GENTLE, not violent, harsh, or relentless. Frie... [ Continue Reading ]
AND GOODNESS. Goodness = righteousness. The Greek-speaking Jews put great emphasis on the ethical side of religion, and were very proud of their relationship to God. GOODNESS is the goal here, and it _grows out of_ the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace. See what Jesus said in Matthew 5:9. If _goo... [ Continue Reading ]