INTRODUCTION TO JAMES 3 In this chapter the apostle cautions against censoriousness, and reproving others with a magisterial air; advises to bridle the tongue, and guard against the vices of it; and shows what true wisdom is, and from whence it comes. He advises the saints not to arrogate too much... [ Continue Reading ]
MY BRETHREN, BE NOT MANY MASTERS,.... The apostle having dispatched the subject of faith and good works, which constitute the pure and undefiled religion mentioned in James 1:27 which gave rise to this discourse, he proceeds to consider the evidence of a religious man, suggested in James 1:26 who is... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN MANY THINGS WE OFFEND ALL,.... Or "we all offend", slip and fall; no man lives without sin; in many, in most, if not in all things, a good man himself does, he sins; and this extends to the most solemn services, and best works of a good man; there is sin in his holy things, imperfections in a... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, WE PUT BITS IN THE HORSES' MOUTHS,.... By this, and the following simile, the apostle not only expresses the smallness of that member of the body, which is like the bit in the horse's mouth, and the helm of a ship, but the good use of it, and the great influence it has over the whole body. H... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD ALSO THE SHIPS, WHICH THOUGH THEY BE SO GREAT,.... Of so large a bulk, of such a prodigious size, and are such unwieldy vessels: AND ARE DRIVEN OF FIERCE WINDS; with great vehemence, rapidity, and swiftness: YET ARE THEY TURNED ABOUT WITH A VERY SMALL HELM, WHITHERSOEVER THE GOVERNOR LISTET... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN SO THE TONGUE IS A LITTLE MEMBER,.... Like the bit in the horse's mouth, or like the helm of a ship. AND BOASTETH GREAT THINGS: and does them; for this word may be taken in a good sense: a bridled and sanctified tongue, that is influenced by the grace of God, and directed by the Spirit of God,... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE TONGUE IS A FIRE,.... It is like to fire, very useful in its place, to warm and comfort; so is the tongue in Christian conversation, and in the ministry of the word; the hearts of God's children burn within them, while they are talking together, and while the Scriptures of truth are opening... [ Continue Reading ]
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 th... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE TONGUE CAN NO MAN TAME,.... Either his own, or others; not his own, for the man that has the greatest guard upon himself, his words and actions; yet, what through pride or passion, or one lust or another in his heart, at one time or another, bolts out vain, idle, angry, and sinful words: and... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREWITH BLESS WE GOD, EVEN, THE FATHER,.... Of Jesus Christ, and of spirits, and of mercies: this is the instrument that is used in blessing God daily every meal that is eaten; and in joining with the saints, though only verbally and outwardly, in blessing God for all spiritual blessings in Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH PROCEEDETH BLESSING AND CURSING,.... Which is not only a contradiction, but unnatural, as well as wicked and sinful: MY BRETHREN, THESE THINGS OUGHT NOT SO TO BE: in any, and much less in professors of religion: such things are unbecoming men, are a scandal upon human nature,... [ Continue Reading ]
DOTH A FOUNTAIN SEND FORTH AT THE SAME PLACE,.... "Or hole"; for at divers places, and at different times, as Pliny m observes, it may send forth SWEET [WATER] AND BITTER: and it is reported n, there is a lake with the Trogloditae, a people in Ethiopia, which becomes thrice a day bitter, and then a... [ Continue Reading ]
CAN THE FIG TREE, MY BRETHREN, BEAR OLIVE BERRIES?.... Every tree bears fruit, according to its kind; a fig tree produces figs, and an olive tree olive berries; a fig tree does not produce olive berries, or an olive tree figs; and neither of them both: EITHER A VINE, FIGS? or fig trees, grapes; or... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO IS A WISE MAN. Meaning, not in things natural and civil, or merely moral, but in things spiritual: and he is a wise man, who is both wise to do good, and wise unto salvation; who has learned to know his own ignorance, folly, and stupidity; for the first lesson in the school of spiritual wisdom i... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF YE HAVE BITTER ENVYING AND STRIFE IN YOUR HEARTS,.... Though these may not be expressed by words, or actions: envy at the happiness of others, whether at the external blessings of Providence, as riches and honours, or at the internal endowments of their minds, as their wisdom and knowledge, t... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS WISDOM DESCENDETH NOT FROM ABOVE,.... If it must be called wisdom, as it ought not; an envious, quarrelsome, and contentious spirit, does not deserve such a name; yet if any will call it so, or can think that a man of such a disposition is a man possessed of wisdom; it is such wisdom as does no... [ Continue Reading ]
Ver. 16 FOR WHERE ENVYING AND STRIFE IS,.... Where these are cherished in the heart, and especially where they break out into action, in families, neighbourhoods, states, or churches: THERE IS CONFUSION AND EVERY EVIL WORK; these occasion disturbances, raise uneasiness, make disquietude, and cause... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE WISDOM THAT IS FROM ABOVE,.... Which has God for its author; which is infused into the soul by the Spirit of God; and leads into the knowledge of things that are above, of heavenly things; and which only is true wisdom and knowledge; and those who are possessed of it are the only true Gnosti... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,.... Which is either eternal life, which is the fruit of Christ's righteousness, and shall be enjoyed by all those who are justified by it; and who, in consequence of it, through the grace of God, live soberly, righteously, and godly; see Romans 6:22 or else what is en... [ Continue Reading ]