The evil which the apostle seems to have referred to in this chapter, was a desire, which appears to have prevailed among those to whom he wrote, to be public teachers (διδάσκαλοι didaskaloi) James 3:1), and to be such even where there was no proper qualification. It is not easy to see any connecti... [ Continue Reading ]
MY BRETHREN, BE NOT MANY MASTERS - “Be not many of you teachers.” The evil referred to is that where many desired to be teachers, though but few could be qualified for the office, and though, in fact, comparatively few were required. A small number, well qualified, would better discharge the duties... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN MANY THINGS WE OFFEND ALL - We all offend. The word here rendered offend, means to stumble, to fall; then to err, to fail in duty; and the meaning here is, that all were liable to commit error, and that this consideration should induce men to be cautious in seeking an office where an error wo... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, WE PUT BITS IN THE HORSES” MOUTHS ... - The meaning of this simple illustration is, that as we control a horse by the bit - though the bit is a small thing - so the body is controlled by the tongue. He who has a proper control over his tongue can govern his whole body, as he who holds a brid... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD ALSO THE SHIPS - This illustration is equally striking and obvious. A ship is a large object. It seems to be unmanageable by its vastness, and it is also impelled by driving storms. Yet it is easily managed by a small rudder; and he that has control of that, has control of the ship itself. So... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN SO THE TONGUE IS A LITTLE MEMBER - Little compared with the body, as the bit or the rudder is, compared with the horse or the ship. AND BOASTETH GREAT THINGS - The design of the apostle is to illustrate the power and influence of the tongue. This may be done in a great many respects: and the ap... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE TONGUE IS A FIRE - In this sense, that it produces a “blaze,” or a great conflagration. It produces a disturbance and an agitation that may be compared with the conflagration often produced by a spark. A WORLD OF INIQUITY - A little world of evil in itself. This is a very expressive phrase,... [ Continue Reading ]
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... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE TONGUE CAN NO MAN TAME - This does not mean that it is never brought under control, but that it is impossible effectually and certainly to subdue it. It would be possible to subdue and domesticate any kind of beasts, but this could not be done with the tongue. IT IS AN UNRULY EVIL - An evil... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREWITH BLESS WE GOD - We men do this; that is, all this is done by the tongue. The apostle does not mean that the same man does this, but that all this is done by the same organ - the tongue. EVEN THE FATHER - Who sustains to us the relation of a father. The point in the remark of the apostle is... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH PROCEEDETH BLESSING AND CURSING - The meaning here may be, either that out of the mouth of man two such opposite things proceed, not referring to the same individual, but to different persons; or, out of the mouth of the same individual. Both of these are true; and both are equ... [ Continue Reading ]
DOTH A FOUNTAIN SEND FORTH AT THE SAME PLACE - Margin, “hole.” The Greek word means “opening, fissure,” such as there is in the earth, or in rocks from which a fountain gushes. SWEET WATER AND BITTER - Fresh water and salt, James 3:12. Such things do not occur in the works of nature, and they shoul... [ Continue Reading ]
CAN THE FIG-TREE, MY BRETHREN, BEAR OLIVE-BERRIES? - Such a thing is impossible in nature, and equally absurd in morals. A fig-tree bears only figs; and so the tongue ought to give utterance only to one class of sentiments and emotions. These illustrations are very striking, and show the absurdity o... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS A WISE MAN, AND ENDUED WITH KNOWLEDGE AMONG YOU? - This is spoken with reference to the work of public teaching; and the meaning of the apostle is, that if there were such persons among them, they should be selected for that office. The characteristics here stated as necessary qualifications,... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF YE HAVE BITTER ENVYING AND STRIFE IN YOUR HEARTS - If that is your characteristic. There is reference here to a fierce and unholy zeal against each other; a spirit of ambition and contention. GLORY NOT - Do not boast, in such a case, of your qualifications to be public teachers. Nothing woul... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS WISDOM DESCENDETH NOT FROM ABOVE - Compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 3:3. The wisdom here referred to is that carnal or worldly wisdom which produces strife and contention; that kind of knowledge which leads to self-conceit, and which prompts a man to defend his opinions with over-heated zeal.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHERE ENVYING AND STRIFE IS, THERE IS CONFUSION - Margin, tumult or unquietness. Everything is unsettled and agitated. There is no mutual confidence; there is no union of plan and effort; there is no co-operation in promoting a common object; there is no stability in any plan; for a purpose, tho... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE WISDOM THAT IS FROM ABOVE - Compare the notes at 1 Corinthians 2:6. The wisdom which has a heavenly origin, or which is from God. The man who is characterised by that wisdom will be pure, peaceable, etc. This does not refer to the doctrines of religion, but to its spirit. IS FIRST PURE - Tha... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS - That which the righteousness here referred to produces, or that which is the effect of true religion. The meaning is, that righteousness or true religion produces certain results on the life like the effects of seed sown in good ground. Righteousness or true religion... [ Continue Reading ]