James 3:7

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: EVERY KIND, [ fusis (G5449)] - "nature." OF BEASTS - i:e., quadrupeds of every disposition: distinguished from the three other classes, 'birds,' creeping things [ herpeton (G2062): not merely "serpents"] and things in the sea. IS TAMED, AND HATH BEEN - is continually being tamed, and hath been so, long ago. OF MANKIND, [ tee (G3588) fusei (G5449) tee (G3588)...

7_For every kind of beasts_. This is a confirmation of the last clause; for that Satan by the tongue rules most effectively he proves by this — that it can by no means be brought to due order; and he amplifies this by comparisons. For he says that there is no animal so savage or fierce, which is not tamed by the skill of man, — that fishes, which in a manner inhabit another world, — that birds, which are so quick and roving — and that serpents, which are so inimical to mankind, are sometimes tamed. Since then the tongue cannot be restrained, there must be some secret fire of hell hidden in it. What he says of wild beasts, of serpents, and of other animals, is not to be understood of them all; it is enough that the skill of man should subdue and tame some of the most ferocious of them, and also that serpents are sometimes tamed. He refers to present and to past time: the present regards p...

1-12 We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. Hell has more to do in promoting the fire of the tongue than men generally think; and whenever men's tongues are employed in sinful ways, they are set on fire of hell. No man can tame the tongue without Divine grace and assistance. The apostle does not represent it as impossible, but as extremely difficult. Other sins decay with age, this many times gets worse; we grow more froward and fretful, as natural strength decays, and the days come on in which we have no pleasure. When other sins are tamed and subdued by the infirmities of age, the spirit often grows more tart, nature being drawn down to the dregs, and the words used become more passiona...

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 monsters_, has not been _thus_ tamed; but all have been subjected to the power of man; both the _shark_ and _whale_ become an easy prey to the skill and influence of the human being. I have had the most credible information, when in the Zetland Isles, of the _seals_ being domesticated, and of one that would pass part of his time on shore, receive his allowance of milk, c., from the servants, go again to sea, and return, and so on....

FOR EVERY KIND OF BEASTS - The apostle proceeds to state another thing showing the power of the tongue, the fact that it is ungovernable, and that there is no power of man to keep it under control. Everything else but this has been tamed. It is unnecessary to refine on the expressions used here, by attempting to prove that it is literally true that every species of beasts, and birds, and fishes has been tamed. The apostle is to be understood as speaking in a general and popular sense, showing the remarkable power of man over those things which are by nature savage and wild. The power of man in taming wild beasts is wonderful. Indeed, it is to be remembered that nearly all those beasts which we now speak of as “domestic” animals, and which we are accustomed to see only when they are tame, were once fierce and savage races. This is the case with the horse, the ox, the ass, (see the notes a...

EXPOSITION JAMES 3:1 WARNING AGAINST OVER-READINESS TO TEACH, LEADING TO A DISCOURSE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNMENT OF THE TONGUE. JAMES 3:1 (1) _Warning_. BE NOT MANY TEACHERS. The warning is parallel to that of our Lord in Matthew 23:8, _seq._,_ _"Be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your Teacher [διδάσκαλος,_ _and not, a

FOR EVERY KIND OF BEASTS, AND OF BIRDS,.... Or the "nature" of them, as it is in the Greek text; however fierce, as beasts of prey are, or shy, as the fowls of the air be: AND OF SERPENTS AND THINGS IN THE SEA; the fishes there: IS TAMED, AND HATH BEEN TAMED OF MANKIND, or "by human nature": by the wit and industry of man; by the various ways, means, and methods devised by man. So Pliny l relates, that elephants lions and tigers among beasts, and the eagle among birds, and crocodiles, asps, and other serpents, and fishes of the sea, have been tamed: though some think this is only to be understood of their being mastered and subdued, by one means or another; or of their being despoiled of their power, or of their poison: and the Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it, "subjected to human nature". l Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 9. 16, 17. 10. 5, 44....

III. THE EVILS OF THE TONGUE CORRECTED CHAPTER 3 _ 1. The tongue and its work (James 3:1)_ 2. The wisdom which is earthly and the wisdom that is from above (James 3:13) James 3:1 The practical character of this Epistle is still more evidenced by the contents of this chapter. The tongue is the member of the human body which is made prominent. The human tongue is a great and wonderful gift of the Creator; with which no other earthly creature is endowed. It is written: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” It therefore reveals the real ‘condition of the heart and by what it is governed. The opening verse exhorts to caution as to teaching: “My brethren, be not many teachers, knowi

Do not crowd into the ranks of the teachers, my brothers. You know that we teachers shall be judged more severely than other men; and there are many things in which all of us stumble. This leads to the discussion of the snare of speech, into which those who talk much are peculiarly liable to fall. The words rendered now if (James 3:3) should be taken as one word meaning see, and the conjunction for inserted. Now with horses, for example, it is in their mouths, look you, that we put the bit when we want them to obey us. In James 3:4 the word impulse may be the pressure of the steersman's hand on the tiller. To the small bridle and the small rudder the tongue is compared as an insignificant part of man's equipment, but one that can boast of great power. See what a spark it takes to kindle what a mass of wood! And the tongue is fire

THE TEACHER'S PERIL (James 3:1) _ 3:1 My brothers, it is a mistake for many of you to become teachers, for you must be well aware that those of us who teach will receive a greater condemnation._ In the early church the teachers were of first rate importance Wherever they are mentioned, they are mentioned with honour. In the Church at Antioch they are ranked with the prophets who sent out Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey (Acts 13:1). In Paul's list of those who hold great gifts within the Church they come second only to the apostles and to the prophets (1 Corinthians 12:28; compare Ephesians 4:11)