He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. When others are in a crisis, do they know they will find peace and comfort in your words? Spiritual leaders tell us to listen to God. They cited our differing abilities, appearances, and environments. 25:14). Grant Osborneonthe course of our life-Most recent studies (Blomberg and Kamell, Martin, Moo) realize that the phrase had become a more popular idea by James's time, simply meaning the ups and downs of life. And the lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, Bible > Calvin's Commentaries > James 3 . And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue(damazo) him. The use of the perfect tense "have been tamed" adds that history is replete with such examples.It is standing proof of the inherent superiority of human nature over animal nature.". The Old Testament word for jealousy means "to burn or to inflame"an apt description of what goes on inside the person who allows jealousy to smolder. In its only pre-New Testament occurrences (in Aristotle), eritheia refers to the selfish ambition, the narrow partisan zeal of factional, greedy politicians, so this word may also conveythe notion of rivalry, party-spirit, or factiousness. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:17-18). A believer is just like a fig tree. If the tongue is inconsistent, there is something radically wrong with the heart. I thought it would be interesting to see how many of the whole Bible commentaries recommended by Spurgeon are available in Logos. NAB James 3:7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species. (BKC) (ED: wisdom and the "Restrainer," the Holy Spirit! BBE James 3:12 Is a fig-tree able to give us olives, my brothers, or do we get figs from a vine, or sweet water from the salt sea? In contrast to the wisdom of fools, Paul exhorts believers at Rome to bewisein a godly sense, wise about spiritual truth and how to live in an evil world opposed to God (Ro 16:19+), referring to God Himself aswise. Here in James fruit is usedfiguratively of human actions and words are asfruitgrowing out of a person's essential being or character. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. My brothers, these things should not be this way. "Scoffers set a city in a flame; But wise men turn away wrath" (Proverbs 29:8). Here the is used ofthe gushing forth of water. Eternity is long! Thats the way James described the damage done by our reckless and careless words. And above all, do your words glorify God? In the intertestamental period, it came to be used symbolically as the place of divine punishment (cf. Francois Rochefoucauld, Wisdom is to the mind what health is to the body. This attainment, infinitely above all others, constitutes true wisdom. When it is once past, it is gone forever. Bitter water also can destroy our spiritual lives. . Finally, even if there were some question as to how this verse should be interpreted, an unclear passage should always be understood in the light of a clear one. The Industrial Court ruled in the case of a secretary who was fired because she sent e-mail from the office computer to several friends, griping about her superiors. 9:45; Mk. One source of catastrophic destruction among believers in Christ, however, is not a mystery. "A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth" (Proverbs 18:20). ESV James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? When actions and words agree, the message is loud and clear. Words are like dynamite. George Barlow, Wisdom has never made a bigot, but learning has. James 3:16. Is it wise to be bitterly envious of other peoples possessions, talents, or good looks? Benson Commentary 3. Hawker, Robert, The Poor Man's Commentary. Or, as scholar Peter Davids put it, On the one hand, [the tongue] is very religious, but, on the other, it can be most profane., If we cannot tame this unruly tongue of ours, is it destined to be a daily problem for us, always prone to speak evil? More of His love to others I would show; A Malaysian court has ruled that using derogatory and vulgar language about your superiors at work is acceptable, as long as you do it behind their backs. No wonder James called the tongue "an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). Moo says thatearthlysuggests a perspective that fails to consider Gods realm and will (Pillar NT Commentary-James), Hiebert says "As "earthly" it springs out of and is limited to the frail and finite life of unregenerated humanity and associated with its turbulent affairs.". "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man" (Matt. From Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs to Siberian foxes, humans have learned to tame wild animals. But there were warning signs posted all over the park: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR! The tongue that blessed the Father, and then turns around and curses men made in God's image, is in desperate need of spiritual medicine! Guzik -A woman once came to John Wesley and said she knew what her talent was and she said, I think my talent from God is to speak my mind. Wesley replied, I dont think God would mind if you buried that talent. Speaking forth everything that comes to mind is unwise, poisonous speech. (James 1:17+) And in the present context one "good thing" and "perfect gift" is wisdom from above, from God our Father! Jonah It occurred to me that their unfortunate conversation could have pushed us away if we were there looking for a new church home. James, a servant of God and of the Lord . Wise people live skillfully. Morgan thought that investing was respectable but that gambling was a sin. 3:13; 1 Pet. Although rivets seem insignificant, they are essential for holding the ship together and keeping it afloat. We must draw on the wisdom that is from abovewisdom that is pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits (James 3:17). A short intellect usually has a long tongue. Reprinted by permission. (Ibid), Paul has a description of the wretched condition of the tongue of the unsaved man in Romans 3, Their talk is foul and filthy like the stench from an open grave. We are to be people who speak and do the truth! BBE James 3:17 But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is. Reprinted by permission. Whether it is a good idea to advertise the worship times of other churches is a matter of opinion. Inspired by the Spirit, James is showing with strong words how much damage can be caused by an unbridled tongue, a "rudderless" tongue whipped around by strong winds of our fallen flesh. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. NRS James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. When I saw this truth, I was forced to admit the truth of the next line: "But the tongue can no man tame " I asked the Lord to keep mine cleansed so that it might praise the Lord in holiness. NAB James 3:6 The tongue is also a fire. James 3:18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James is rightNo man can tame the tonguebut theres plenty of help from Another. Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom. turn our hearts toward the wisdom that comes (v.10). The existence of many of its villages depended on the availability of such a source for its water. And reputations steal; And clearly what and how we think will influence what and how we speak. When this is sown, still in peace, it produces righteousness again, wherein is the further fruitage; and so ever on. Thus, the building of the Tower of Babel and a world capital city was begun. "A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and sharp arrow" (Proverbs 25:18). (Holman New Testament Commentary), Osborne on set on fire by hell - "..would mean the tongue becomes a tool of Satan to destroy the individual and the church. Barton - "The Holy One, Blessed is He" is one of the most frequent descriptions of God in rabbinic literature. The Lord will set a guard over my mouth; He will keep watch over the door of my lips (Ps. John Calvin, There is nothing more slippery or loose than the tongue. 2 Kings A second whale took one end of a rope from another trainer and carried it 100 feet down the pool to the first trainer. A gracious word may smooth the way; John Calvin, The only way to know is to will to do Gods will. The course of nature refers to ongoing of life in general, not the recycling of individual souls. We have a choice (and responsibility) regarding how we can respond, but it a mysterious truth that while we are 100% responsible, we are also 100% dependent on the Spirit to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. 2:22; Jas. (BNTC Exposition of James), MacArthur introduces this passage explaining that "the tongue is characterized by what might be called its perfidy to compromise. But James used the word in a specific context. Theres another kind of incorrect word usage that is far worse. Edgar Watson Howe, There is a time for saying nothing; there is occasionally a time for saying something; there is never a time for saying everything. We bless our Lord and Father- To bless God is the highest use of our tongue (cf Ps 33:1, Ps 147:1). If David killed Saul, they thought they could stop hiding and David could become king. While recording interviews for a radio program, I asked people on the street in New York City if they believed all men are created equal. But there is a difference between worldly and spiritual wisdom (1Cor. If youre sowing worldly wisdom, youll reap disorder and every evil thing. NRS James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? Natural(worldly-minded, lower nature, animal, sensual) (5591)(psuchikosfrompsuche= soul) is literally "soulish" and pertains to thenaturalman versus thespiritualnature of man. With my students, I go back to the basics to erase old habits. It is a closed system, a circumscribed box, as it were, of man's own making and choosing under satanic prompting. GWN James 3:8 Yet, no one can tame the tongue. James has 2 other uses of kalos - James 2:7 (fair name) and James 4:17 (right thing). He sings just like an angel!" Where zeal even regarding religion shows itself in unholy tempers like these, the fire of this zeal is fire from the bottomless pit. The tiger employs one weapon of destruction: its razor-sharp teeth set in a vice-like jaw. This Christlike attitude lines up with the absence of spiritual competition James called for in his epistle (James 3:14-17). NLT Study Bible - Such brackish springs could not support a town. Matthew Henry, If nobody said anything unless he knew what he was talking about, what a ghastly hush would descend upon the earth! "The mouth of fools feedeth on folly" (Proverbs 15:14). On this day of Thanksgiving, pray to the God of all wisdom. It would be a great pity to stir up impure minds. "A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul" (Proverbs 18:7). - Eph 6:17+). "The rich answereth roughly" (Proverbs 18:23). Paul R VanGorder (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Daniel Many of us are skilled at. NLT James 3:9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. (3) Be the . "The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook" (Proverbs 18:4). By:Dave Branon(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Philippians 1:15. It is not surprising that eritheia is found in Paul's long list of the deeds of the flesh ("disputes") in Gal 5:20+. ; 2 Sa. 1:5+ - But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: The purest minds need stirring up at times. NET = "the fruit that consists of righteousness" The NET Note adds that this refers to"the fruit of righteousness, meaning righteous living as a fruit, as the thing produced." Anon. Burdick says selfish ambition speaks "of a self-seeking attitude bent on gaining advantage and prestige for oneself or one's group." (Php 4:8+). 28:12; Dan. actions harmonize with his speech. NET James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Figuratively,karposis used of the consequence of physical, mental, or spiritual action. But they dont know whether the emotion comes from love and concern or disdain and disrespect, so we risk misunderstanding. "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer" (Proverbs 15:28). That's why spreading gossip is so difficult to resist. It has to be attractive, but it must represent the truth; it must show that which can be produced in the storehouse. THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE ITS HISTORY AND WORK. The source of this wisdom, he pointed out, is evil. It happens when Christians utter words that fall short of the standard God expects. My words have an effect on others; they also have an effect on me. And woe to anyone who accumulates more of this worlds things than they have. Is there any doubt which wisdom is better? 5:20) and petitionary prayer (5:1518), both of which are contrary to the doctrine of karma behind reincarnation, which affirms that whatever is sown in this life must be reaped in the next life (no exceptions). It has a vast potential for evil. As a pastor, I have seen poisonous tongues do great damage to individuals, families, classes, and entire churches. Titus Forgive me for careless, thoughtless, and angry words. (1 Timothy 4:1-5), For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. D. Edmond Hiebert, Another prayer you might frequently prayis Col 1:9+ to "ask that you may be filled with (CONTROLLED BY - pleroosame verb for being filled with the Spirit - Eph 5:18+) the knowledge (epignosis) of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." God's response was to confound human speech so that every man spoke to his neighbor in a foreign tongue. It is interesting that wisdom and understanding are a lot like faith which James described in James 2:14-26, because all three are basically invisible inner qualities which show themselves or prove themselves in one's actions or behavior. "The mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things" (Proverbs 15:28). Practically speaking, believers need to imitate Jesus' example of gentleness (cf 1 Cor 11:1) and the only way we can manifest gentleness like He being enabled by the Holy Spirit. ASV James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. Bitter (4089)(pikrosfrom root pik = to cup or prick)means sharp, pointed, piercing, pungent as that which sharply "pierces" or penetrates one's senses. But grant my life may ring so true YLT James 3:10 out of the same mouth doth come forth blessing and cursing; it doth not need, my brethren, these things so to happen; NAB James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. Phillips Are there some wise and understanding men among you? BBE James 3:10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. ), Another Prayer - So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. These things ought not to be so., If a siren blares from our mouth when we open it, we need to examine our heart and ask the Lord to forgive us and to help us be a blessing to others. Indeedshe thought would gain wisdom, which she did, but it was earthly, natural and demonic and ultimately deadly!. 24:9; Jer. 3. of wine and the like, to overcome, overpower, Hom. But even better is to daily rest in Gods Spirit, hearing Pauls challenge, Let your conversation be always full of grace (Colossians 4:6), so that our words will not only honor our Lord, but lift up and encourage those around us. Christian: That is, to them who have not thorough acquaintance with him; for he is best abroad; near home, he is ugly enough. James says, "prove" your wisdom and knowledge by exhibiting it without giving any credit to yourself. "Selfishness" seems to be the best translation or "self-interest," which terms bring out the personal motive of the heart. The coals of jealousy quickly become a raging fire that will burn us severely. It is secular, not spiritual. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3). On Listening Bitter (4089)(see above forpikros)means sharp, prickly, pointed, piercing, pungent as that which sharply "pierces" or penetrates one's senses, used literally in James 3:11 of bitter water. Hess, Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. Because the trial of your faith brings honour to the Lord, therefore the Lord Himself is sure to try it that out of its trial praise may come to his grace by which faith is sustained. Purity, as required by God, and exemplified in the measure of their faith by all Christs people, implies a superiority of soul, which will show itself continually in word and deed, to everything low and sensual, to everything selfish and mean,a freedom from petty views and sinister ends, and, on the contrary, a relish and love of everything really great and good. The coals of jealousy quickly become a raging fire that will burn severely. Seed whose fruit is usedfiguratively of human actions and words agree, only. Whether it is a difference between worldly and spiritual wisdom ( 1Cor forth of water peace ( James )! Hess, Whoever guards his mouth '' ( Proverbs 15:28 ) my brethren, things... Employs one weapon of destruction: its razor-sharp teeth set in a vice-like jaw,. James, a circumscribed box, as it were, of man 's own making and choosing under prompting... Life in the storehouse the availability of Such a source for its water James fruit is righteousness is sown peace! 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