CHAPTER III. _They are exhorted not to be many masters_, 1. _And to bridle the tongue, which is often an instrument of_ _much evil_, 2-12. _The character and fruits of true and false wisdom_, 13-18. NOTES ON CHAP. III. Verse James 3:1. _BE NOT MANY MASTERS_] Do not affect the _teacher's_ offi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse James 3:2. _IN MANY THINGS WE OFFEND ALL._] πταιομεν απαντες. _We_ _all stumble_ or _trip_. Dr. Barrow very properly observes: "As the general course of life is called a _way_, and particular actions _steps_, so going on in a regular course of right action is _walking_ _uprightly_; and acting... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse James 3:3. _BEHOLD, WE PUT BITS IN THE HORSES' MOUTHS_] In order to show the necessity of regulating the tongue, to which St. James was led by his exhortation to them who wished to thrust themselves into the teacher's office, supposing, because they had the _gift of_ _a ready flow of speech_,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse James 3:5. _BOASTETH GREAT THINGS._] That is, _can do great_ _things_, whether of a _good_ or _evil_ kind. He seems to refer here to the powerful and all commanding eloquence of the Greek orators: they could carry the great mob whithersoever they wished; calm them to peaceableness and submissi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _THE TONGUE_ is _a fire_] It is often the instrument of producing the most desperate contentions and insurrections. _A WORLD OF INIQUITY_] This is an unusual form of speech, but the meaning is plain enough; WORLD signifies here a _mass_, a _great_ _collection_, an _abundance_. We use the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _EVERY KIND OF BEASTS_] That is, every _species_ of wild beasts, πασα φυσις θηριων, _is tamed_, i.e. brought under man's power and dominion. Beasts, birds, serpents, and some kinds of fishes have been _tamed_ so as to be domesticated; but every kind, particularly των εναλιων, of _sea monste... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _BUT THE TONGUE WAN NO MAN TAME_] No cunning, persuasion, or influence has ever been able to silence it. Nothing but the grace of God, _excision_, or _death_, can bring _it_ under subjection. It is _AN UNRULY EVIL_] ακατασχετον κακον. An _evil_ that _cannot_ be _restrained_; it cannot be _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _THEREWITH BLESS WE GOD_] The tongue is capable of rehearsing the praises, and setting forth the glories, of the eternal King: what a pity that it should ever be employed in a contrary work! It can proclaim and vindicate the truth of God, and publish the Gospel of peace and good will among... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 10. _OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH_] This saying is something like that, Proverbs 18:21: _Death and life are in the power of the tongue_; and on this, for an illustration of St. James' words, hear _Vayikra Rabba_, sec. 33: "Rabbi Simeon, the son of Gamaliel, said to his servant Tobias, Go and bring me... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 11. _DOTH A FOUNTAIN SEND FORTH - SWEET_ WATER _AND BITTER?_] In many things _nature_ is a sure guide to man; but no such inconsistency is found in the natural world as this blessing and cursing in man. No fountain, at the same opening, sends forth sweet water and bitter; no fig tree can bear... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 12. _SO_ CAN _NO FOUNTAIN BOTH YIELD SALT WATER AND FRESH._] For the reading of the common text, which is οὑτως ουδεμια πηγη ἁλυκον και γλυκυ ποιησαι ὑδωρ, _so no fountain can produce salt_ _water and sweet_, there are various other readings in the MSS. and versions. The word ουτως, _so_,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 13. _WHO_ IS _A WISE MAN_] One truly religious; who, although he can neither bridle nor tame other men's tongues, can restrain his own. _AND ENDUED WITH KNOWLEDGE_] και επιστημων. And qualified to teach others. _LET HIM SHOW_] Let him by a holy life and chaste conversation show, through mee... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _IF YE HAVE BITTER ENVYING AND STRIFE_] If ye be under the influence of an _unkind, fierce_, and _contemptuous_ spirit, even while attempting or pretending to defend true religion, _do_ _not boast_ either of your _exertions_ or _success_ in silencing an adversary; ye have _no religion_, an... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _THIS WISDOM DESCENDETH NOT FROM ABOVE_] God is not the author of it, because it is _bitter_-not _meek_. See at the end of this chapter. _"_James 3:18_"_ _IS EARTHLY_] Having _this life_ only in view. _SENSUAL_] ψυχικη. _Animal_-having for its object the _gratification_ of the _passions_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _FOR WHERE ENVYING AND STRIFE_ IS] ζηλοςκαιεριθεια. _Zeal_-fiery, inflammatory passion, and _contention_-altercations about the different points of the law, of no use for edification, such as those mentioned, Titus 3:9. The _Jews_ were the most intolerant of all mankind; it was a maxim wi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 17. _THE WISDOM THAT IS FROM ABOVE_] The pure religion of the Lord Jesus, bought by his blood, and infused by his Spirit. See the rabbinical meaning of this phrase at the end of this chapter. _IS FIRST PURE_] αγνη. _Chaste, holy_, and _clean_. _PEACEABLE_] ειρηνικη. Living in peace with othe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse James 3:18. _AND THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS SOWN_] The whole is the _principle_ of righteousness in the soul, and all the above virtues are the _fruits_ of that righteousness. _IS SOWN IN PEACE_] When the peace of God rules the heart, all these virtues and graces grow and flourish abundant... [ Continue Reading ]