James Chapter 3 (WEB)

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James 3 is part of “The Tongue” (3:1–12) in the outline of James.

James 3 summary

The apostle here reproves ambition, and an arrogant magisterial tongue; and shows the duty and advantage of bridling it because of its power to do mischief. Those who profess religion ought especially to govern their tongues (Jam 3:1-12). True wisdom makes men meek, and avoiders of strife and envy: and hereby it may easily be distinguished from a wisdom that is earthly and hypocritical (Jam 3:13 to the end).

Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

1. 1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
2. 2 For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.
3. 3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body.
4. 4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
5. 5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
6. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
7. 7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind;
8. 8 but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God.
10. 10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
12. 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
13. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
14. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.
15. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
16. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
17. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.