BE NOT MANY TEACHERS (μη πολλο διδασκαλο γινεσθε). Prohibition with μη and present middle imperative of γινομα. "Stop becoming many teachers" (so many of you). There is thus a clear complaint that too many of the Jewish Christians were attempting to teach what they did not clearly comprehend. Ther... [ Continue Reading ]
IN MANY THINGS (πολλα). Accusative neuter plural either cognate with πταιομεν or accusative of general reference. On πταιομεν (stumble) see on James 2:10. James includes himself in this list of stumblers.IF NOT (ει-ου). Condition of first class with ου (not μη) negativing the verb πταιε.IN WORD... [ Continue Reading ]
IF WE PUT (ε βαλλομεν). Condition of the first class assumed as true.THE HORSES' BRIDLES (των ιππων τους χαλινους). Hιππων (genitive plural of ιππος, horse, old word, in N.T. only here except in the Apocalypse), put first because the first of the several illustrations of the power and the peril... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SHIPS ALSO (κα τα πλοια). Old word from πλεω, to sail (Matthew 4:21). Another metaphor like "horses" (ιππο). "There is more imagery drawn from mere natural phenomena in the one short Epistle of James than in all St. Paul's epistles put together" (Howson).THOUGH THEY ARE SO GREAT (τηλικαυτα ο... [ Continue Reading ]
A LITTLE MEMBER (μικρον μελος). Μελος is old and common word for members of the human body (1 Corinthians 12:12; Romans 6:13, etc.).BOASTETH GREAT THINGS (μεγαλα αυχε). Present active indicative of αυχεω, old verb, here only in N.T. The best MSS. here separate μεγαλα from αυχεω, though μεγαλαυχ... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TONGUE IS A FIRE (η γλωσσα πυρ). So necessarily since there is no article with πυρ (apparently same word as German _feuer_, Latin _purus_, English _pure, fire_). This metaphor of fire is applied to the tongue in Proverbs 16:27; Proverbs 26:18-22; Sirach 28:22.THE WORLD OF INIQUITY (ο κοσμος... [ Continue Reading ]
KIND (φυσις). Old word from φυω, order of nature (Romans 1:26), here of all animals and man, in 2 Peter 1:4 of God and redeemed men.OF BEASTS (θηριων). Old word diminutive from θηρ and so "little beasts" originally, then wild animals in general (Mark 1:13), or quadrupeds as here. These four cla... [ Continue Reading ]
NO ONE (ουδεις). Especially his own tongue and by himself, but one has the help of the Holy Spirit.A RESTLESS EVIL (ακαταστατον κακον). Correct reading, not ακατασχετον, for which see James 1:8. The tongue is evil when set on fire by hell, not evil necessarily.FULL OF DEADLY POISON (μεστη ιου... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREWITH (εν αυτη). This instrumental use of εν is not merely Hebraistic, but appears in late _Koine_ writers (Moulton, _Prol._, pp. 11f., 61f.). See also Romans 15:6.WE BLESS (ευλογουμεν). Present active indicative of ευλογεω, old verb from ευλογος (a good word, ευ, λογος), as in Luke 1:64 of... [ Continue Reading ]
OUGHT NOT (ου χρη). The only use of this old impersonal verb (from χραω) in the N.T. It is more like πρεπε (it is appropriate) than δε (it is necessary). It is a moral incongruity for blessing and cursing to come out of the same mouth.SO TO BE (ουτως γινεσθα). "So to keep on happening," not jus... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FOUNTAIN (η πηγη). Old word for spring (John 4:14).OPENING (οπης). Old word for fissure in the earth, in N.T. only here and Hebrews 11:38 (caves).SEND FORTH (βρυε). Present active indicative of βρυω, old verb, to bubble up, to gush forth, here only in N.T. The use of μητ shows that a nega... [ Continue Reading ]
CAN? (μη δυναται;). Negative answer expected. See the same metaphor in Matthew 7:16.FIG-TREE (συκη). Old and common word (Matthew 21:19).FIGS (συκα). Ripe fruit of η συκη.OLIVES (ελαιας). Elsewhere in the N.T. for olive-trees as Matthew 21:1.VINE (αμπελος). Old word (Matthew 26:29).SALT W... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO (Τις). Rhetorical interrogative like Luke 11:11. Common in Paul and characteristic of the diatribe. James here returns to the standpoint of verse James 3:1 about many teachers. Speech and wisdom are both liable to abuse (1 Corinthians 1:5; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 1 Corinthians 2:1-3).WISE AND UND... [ Continue Reading ]
BITTER JEALOUSY (ζηλον πικρον). Ζηλος occurs in N.T. in good sense (John 2:17) and bad sense (Acts 5:17). Pride of knowledge is evil (1 Corinthians 8:1) and leaves a bitter taste. See "root of bitterness" in Hebrews 12:14 (cf. Ephesians 4:31). This is a condition of the first class.FACTION (εριθ... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS WISDOM (αυτη η σοφια). All talk and disproved by the life, counterfeit wisdom, not real wisdom (James 1:5; James 3:17).COMING DOWN FROM ABOVE (κατερχομενη ανωθεν). As in James 1:5; James 1:17. All true wisdom comes from God.EARTHLY (επιγειος). Old adjective, on earth (επι, γη), as in Joh... [ Continue Reading ]
CONFUSION (ακαταστασια). Late word (from ακαταστατος), James 1:8; James 3:8), a state of disorder (1 Corinthians 14:33).VILE (φαυλον). Kin to German _faul_, first slight, ordinary, then bad. The steps are cheap, paltry, evil. Opposed to αγαθα (good) in John 5:39.... [ Continue Reading ]
FIRST PURE (πρωτον μεν αγνη). First in rank and time. Hαγνος is from the same root as αγιος (holy), old adjective, pure from fault, not half-good and half-bad, like that above.THEN PEACEABLE (επειτα ειρηνικη). Old adjective from ειρηνη (peace), loving peace here, bringing peace in Hebrews 12:11... [ Continue Reading ]
IS SOWN IN PEACE (εν ειρηνη σπειρετα). Present passive indicative of σπειρω, to sow. The seed which bears the fruit is sown, but James catches up the metaphor of καρπος (fruit) from verse James 3:17. Only in peace is the fruit of righteousness found.FOR THEM THAT MAKE PEACE (τοις ποιουσιν ειρην... [ Continue Reading ]