ANALYSIS. Some are inclined to press themselves forward as teachers, thus giving to them the appearance of leaders, or of more prominence than others among the brethren. This is an aspiration not to be greatly encouraged. The reason is this: One in the position of a teacher who fails to be strictly... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 1. MY BRETHREN, BE NOT MANY MASTERS. The Revised Version is in this case preferable; teachers in place of masters, and this rendering accords with Macknight and the Syriac. It is herein asserted that such shall receive the greater condemnation; that is, in case they err in their teaching. The... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 2. FOR IN MANY THINGS WE OFFEND ALL. That is, we teachers offend all in many things. If we follow the Syriac, the expression is not limited to teachers, but applies equally to every Christian. The language is: "For we all offend in many things." I accept this as the mind of the Spirit, for it... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 3. BEHOLD, WE PUT BITS IN THE HORSES' MOUTHS. This is a well-known daily occurrence among men. By the use of the bit the movement of the horse is controlled. The horse obeys us. By it we turn the whole body of the horse as we may desire. Now, the bit is a little thing when compared with the s... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 4. BEHOLD ALSO THE SHIPS. The ship considered by itself is very great in many ways. It is great in bulk, great in contrivance, great in the things within it, and especially great in what may be accomplished by it. Furthermore, it is constructed so that it will withstand fierce winds by which... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 5. EVEN SO THE TONGUE IS A LITTLE MEMBER. Now the apostle begins his application of the thoughts advanced in his comparisons of the bit in the horse's mouth and the ship controlled by the helm. The tongue belonging to the human body is, as compared with the other members thereof, a little mem... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 6. AND THE TONGUE IS A FIRE, A WORLD OF INIQUITY. The ungoverned tongue, by the pernicious influences it wields among mankind, is as great as a fire in the forest. It is, therefore, properly comparable to a fire. It is a fire; more, it is a world of iniquity, a great volume, for it works a co... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 7. FOR EVERY KIND OF BEASTS AND OF BIRDS. The apostle here asserts what he knew would readily be admitted, that all kinds of beasts, birds and serpents have been, and are capable of being, tamed or brought into subjection to man. However wild the nature of some of these, yet it is known that... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 8. BUT THE TONGUE CAN NO MAN TAME. This is a plain, simple statement that the observant among men will not question. It is asserted by the apostle with much confidence a, confidence founded upon inspired knowledge. The contrast presented is strong and striking. Beasts, birds and serpents may... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 9. THEREWITH BLESS WE GOD, EVEN THE FATHER. The tongue is used in offering our praises to the Most High. With it we thank God for his goodness and mercy; with it we utter the gratitude of our hearts to our loving Father in heaven for his manifold favors, for the gift of his Son, for the privi... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 10. OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH PROCEEDETH BLESSING AND CURSING. While this is true, the apostle immediately adds: "My brethren, these things ought not so to be." If we love God and bless him, right reason would say so we ought to love and bless man whom the God we love made in his own image. Right... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 11. DOTH A FOUNTAIN SEND FORTH AT THE SAME PLACE? Here a question is asked. Knowledge concerning the matter about which the interrogatory is propounded is so common and so universal among men that the apostle well knew no doubt could possibly arise as to the character of the answer. All intel... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 12. CAN A FIG-TREE, MY BRETHREN, BEAR OLIVE BERRIES? Did the fig-tree bear olives, or the vine figs, it would be contrary to nature; it would be unnatural. Such an inconsistency is never beheld in all the realm of nature. Since, therefore, nothing so unnatural and inconsistent can be found in... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 13. WHO IS A WISE MAN AND ENDUED WITH KNOWLEDGE? The thought the apostle would here inculcate is this: While we may not successfully contend with and subdue the tongues of others, the wise man among the brethren may bridle his own tongue, and to accomplish this his conversation must be good, f... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 14. BUT IF YOU HAVE BITTER ENVYINGS AND STRIFES. One exhibiting envy in his speech can not boast of wisdom. In the estimation of the apostle, one properly instructed, and who becomes thereby wise, exhibits no envy and indulges in no strife. So if you do these things and boast of your wisdom,... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 15. THIS WISDOM DESCENDETH NOT FROM ABOVE. The wisdom you boast of possessing while your heart is full of envy and a ready disposition to engage in strife, and your utterances show you possess these passions, comes not from above. The same comes not from heaven, where God reigns and angels dw... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 16. FOR WHERE ENVYING AND STRIFE IS. A general truth is here stated, and recognized to be such by all the observant. Where the evil dispositions of envy and strife exist, as a necessary consequence there confusion, tumult and every evil work will reign. This is where that wisdom that descende... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 17. BUT THE WISDOM THAT IS FROM ABOVE. A different view of things is here now presented. The beauty and grandeur of another vision is spread before us. The wisdom which is from above exhibits no anger nor envy nor strife, consequently no confusion nor evil work, but contrariwise the persons un... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 18. AND THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS SOWN IN PEACE. Those who possess the wisdom from above, as described in the last verse, will sow in the hearts of others the fruits of peace. They alone practice peace, and they only can sow peace, and in stillness their labor of sowing is performed. Ther... [ Continue Reading ]