Earthly wisdom is often associated with qualities like mental ability. Earthly ("earth-bound" - NEB)(1919)(epigeios from epi = upon + ge = the earth) means of or belonging to the earth as distinguished from heaven. NET James 3:11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? So even as James instructed us in how to discern whether one has genuine faith (by his works), in this section he tells us how to discern whether a person is truly wise and understanding by listing (and thereby contrasting)the traits one would expect to see associated with heavenly wisdom versus with earthly wisdom. READ: James 3:1-12 There is a kind of depraved wisdom which seduces men and women away from their loyalty to God. Thomas Goodwin, If the mouth be bad, the mind is not good. Before the program began, we overheard two members seated behind us complaining about their church. - The rhetorical question calls for a reply of "Absolutely not!" This truth is true throughout the epistle. His heart cannot be pure whose tongue is not clean. i. She had no reason to be, however, because the huge old cat had been tamed and was caged. The grandest created thing certainly must be a soul that can grasp the idea of a Creator, and can love that Creator as a Father. Of course the answer is both, because both reveal the real condition of the heart. In its simplest sensedikaiosuneconveys the idea of conformity to a standard or norm and in Biblical terms the "standard" is God and His perfect, holy character. "In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man" (Proverbs 12:13). All rights reserved). "The mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things" (Proverbs 15:28). The Hebrew wordchokmahcorresponds to the Greeksophos. NJB James 3:18 The peace sown by peacemakers brings a harvest of justice. But according to the apostle James, you cannot tame the human tongue. If David killed Saul, they thought they could stop hiding and David could become king. A careless word may kindle strife; James is rightNo man can tame the tonguebut theres plenty of help from Another. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. "Maybe what I said will do him some good. Children of the King should use the language of the court. The peacemakers are those who live by the heavenly wisdom, which is first pure and then peaceable, that is, by righteousness. All too often, when we speak we remind everyone of our brokenness as human beings. In eschatology, peace is prophesied to be an essential characteristic of the Messianic kingdom (Acts 10:36). But beware of setting the bar too low by worrying about numbers. Proverbs 16:28A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends. Hagnosdescribes wisdom that is morally undefiled and not corrupted by any form of evil in this fallen world. Elsewhere the rendering is natural, as in the contrast between the natural body and the spiritual body in 1 Cor. Communication courses are useful and homiletics helps, but no amount of discipline and training can quell the wayward tongue. (Steven Cole), The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (Ibid), MacArthur says that restless suggests "the idea of a wild animal fighting fiercely against the restraints of captivity. We who know Jesus Christ as Saviour can have our minds controlled by "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. You sent Your Son to die! Hiebert -The ancient world took pride in mankind's ability to subdue, tame, and control the animal kingdom. But it is also, as Calvin says, an " instrument for catching, encouraging, and increasing the fires of hell." ), and by your words you will be condemned.(Matthew 12:34-37). Titus James is echoing his half-brother Jesus Who taught "It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles (koinooin the present tense)the man.(Mt 15:11, see also Mt 15:18-20, Mt 12:34, 35, cf Mk 7:15). YLT James 3:6 and the tongue is a fire, the world of the unrighteousness, so the tongue is set in our members, which is spotting our whole body, and is setting on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by the gehenna. A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver (Proverbs 25:11). Nahum Natural wisdom is that when come from the mind of fallen, unredeemed men, and therefore is able to only reflect a totally humanistic viewpoint regarding the world and men. All rights reserved), How easy it is to use many words Adoniram Judson), Thing(affair, matter, case) (4229)(pragma) is "that which is done or happens, deed, thing, event, occurrence, matter." turn our hearts toward the wisdom that comes "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way" (Proverbs 14:8). Specifically, that what one does (or says) proves what they really believe. James 3:13-18: Wise Faith About This Expository Sermon Outline. 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. James almost seems to paint himself into a corner (so to speak). "The mouth of the foolish is a present destruction" (Proverbs 10:14). ), Another Prayer - So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. James 3:9-10 says, With [our tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men . "The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook" (Proverbs 18:4). There are 7 uses in the Septuagint (Lxx)where it most often means something like "similarity. Full of deadly is the combination wordthanatephoros (from thnatos =death+ phr =to bring) is literally death bearing or death bringing and is used only here in the NT. In Proverbs 6:27 we read, "Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" Barclay notes that eupeithes has "two meanings. to do so for oneself, Hom., Xen. A dictionary merely lists and defines the words of our language. With Gods help, we must learn to control our tongue. (Aggies and Longhorns have a longstanding rivalry in the state of Texas). ASV James 3:7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of creeping things and things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed by mankind. (THEY COULD NOT BRING FORTH "FRESH WATER"!) Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34). 141:3). ; 2 Sa. ESV James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? "A whisperer separateth chief friends" (Proverbs 16:28). Awful, hateful, ungodly, vile things emanate from this master of disaster. CSB James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and deny the truth. Sometimes we can cross a relational Rubicon with the words we say to others. Anothencan speak of place or time (from the beginning). It is self-centered and demonic. Yet it is also capable of great good. Faithful: Now did Faithful begin to wonder; and stepping to Christian, (for he walked all this while by himself), he said to him, (but softly), What a brave companion have we got! Be not many teachers Let no more of you take this upon you than God thrusts out; seeing it is so hard not to offend in speaking much. "The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels. "A hole, referring to a hole or cavern because of the light which shines in; therefore, a hole or cavern in the earth (Heb. He rages at faith because he sees therein his own defeat and the victory of grace. This is the very word Jesus uses when he explains to Nicodemus "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again (anothen - from above)he cannot see the kingdom of God." ASV James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? No farmer sits around doing nothing all year, then goes out into the field and says, Whoa, look at that bountiful harvest! If there is a harvest, its in part because he has worked hard to cultivate that harvest. It is as active and potent for evil in old age as ever it was in the days of our youth. To rule your tongue, let Christ rule in your heart. So if we see someone in need and "do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?" He asserts that every trial we overcome helps us mature as Christians. NJB James 3:12 Can a fig tree yield olives, my brothers, or a vine yield figs? 1:4; Jas. James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 3:15+. James 3:18. === Sample: James 1:1-4 === 1. (James 3:13-18 Wisdom for Harmonious Relationships). From Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs to Siberian foxes, humans have learned to tame wild animals. he is saying, in effect, "and in what way are you understanding? "Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad" (Proverbs 12:25). NET James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. (Matt. Ron Mehl who is a pastor in Portland, Oregon has written a great little book called Right With God. Figuratively refers to a book that is delightful to read ("sweet as honey")(Rev10:9, 10+). Remind me that for everyone Steven Cole applies these two negative traits noting that "they are traits that those who teach the Word may easily yield to. James 3 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. David lied to Ahimelech the priest and occasioned his murder by King Saul (1 Sam. The father bowed his head and led the children in the blessing. Deiis used over 100x but this is the only NT use of chre. Were either growing sweeter and wiser as the days go by, or were growing into foolish or even sour-faced curmudgeons. He cannot speak well who cannot hold his tongue. Besides, he brings up his sons to follow his steps; and if he finds in any of them a foolish timorousness, (for so he calls the first appearance of a tender conscience,) he calls them fools and blockheads, and by no means will employ them in much, or speak to their commendations before others. When James spoke of the wisdom that is from above, he described it as pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:17). It is easier to look wise than to talk wisely. I expect the students to learn from their errors and avoid them the next time. A sharp tongue is no evidence of a keen mind. More self-denial, like His in Galilee, Itdescribes life apart from God, characteristic of earthly human life as opposed to what is spiritual. It is not wisdom that "falls" from above, but which originates from the fall! That harmony is threatened by worldly wisdom. NRS James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire. 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. Always, only, for my King. All rights reserved), You're writing a "gospel," a chapter each day, It is like an enemy that cannot be contained by military force. On his return home he immediately cleaned up his unused show window and made it so attractive that he was soon doing nearly all the business in his town. Every now and then you read a horrible story of a child mauled by some wild animal that had supposedly been domesticated. Proverbs 18:8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. (Ibid), Barton adds that "Flames of hate, prejudice, slander, jealousy, and envy seem to come from the very lake of fire where Satan will be punished (see Revelation 20:10, 14-15), Kent Hughes -The uncontrolled tongue has a direct pipeline to Hell! The adjective suggests the picture of "some caged but unsubdued wild animal, ever pacing uneasily up and down its den." Someone once quipped that "Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it. A legendary Burmese potter became jealous of the prosperity of a washerman. Righteousness of God could be succinctly stated as all that God is, all that He commands, all that He demands, all that He approves, all that He provides through Christ. Without a command from the mind and permission from the will, the tongue cannot speak either good or evil." CORRECTING THE MISINTERPRETATION: The subject James is writing about is the power and persuasiveness of the human tongue, with its far-reaching effects. The Amplified Version functions almost like a "mini-commentary" - "[The fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts]. Similarly, if a person's speech mixes foul with sweet, it will not build up the community. Sin entered this world, in the first place, by means of a forked tongue, the tongue of "that old serpent." His question does not imply that none is wise but challenges to self-examination those who rashly assume that they are. It really isn't in me." (Faith, Love & Hope: An Exposition of the Epistle of James), Hiebert says be arrogant (katakauchaomai)"conveys the picture of gloating over another on the ground of assumed superiority. The usage in Philippians 2:10 reveals an expression used to encompass every aspect of creation, in heaven, and. over a ten foot frame. Christian mercy is mercy for all who are in trouble, even if they have brought that trouble on themselves. 15:19-20)." The tree is bad and the spring is bad. BBE James 3:11 Does the fountain send from the same outlet sweet and bitter water? It doesnt come from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. It is the wisdom that leads to immoral decisions about how life should be lived. By them will the reckoning be at the judgment. Wesley. Worse, what if we were seeking God and their disgruntled opinions had driven us away? And, ask God to open the persons eyes and grant repentance. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. A pastor friend told me about a sign he had seen in front of a neighborhood church. 64:3; Pr5:4 = "in the end she is bitter as wormwood"; Pr27:7 = to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet. (Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee), Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. So, in 1955, the Guinness brewing company decided that an official record was needed to pacify its customers. Deeds is ergon which is used 12x in James, most concentrated in the discussion of faith and works (ergon) -Jas. And guard each word I say. Restless(182)(akatastatosfroma= not +kathistemi= to settle fromkata= down +histemi= to stand) means unsettled, unsteady, unstable. However, Sidis lived the remainder of his life quietly in a series of obscure mechanical jobs. Whether it is a good idea to advertise the worship times of other churches is a matter of opinion. By listening to the advice: "Assert yourself," "Go for it," "Set high goals," we can be drawn into greed and destructive competitiveness. So, however little the cup of cold water be that you are able to give in Christs name, it will refresh many hearts in a lifetime if it be kept ever full, ever ready. The bad behavior of Judah enhances the good behavior of Joseph (Gen. 38-39). Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you (Eph. "When the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge" (Proverbs 21:11). (ED: And Jesus responded with wisdom from above which trumped Satan's earthly wisdom! The deceptive thing about a poison is that it works secretly and slowly, and then it kills. Do we feel burdened when others fail, or are we glad? The 1931 horror film where a man who takes a potion which turns him from a mild-mannered man of science into a crude homicidal maniac. The prescription James offers is to seek the wisdom from above. Even under the strictest self-discipline and constant monitoring, the tongues unruly nature lurks dangerously below the surface. When we do that, we starve the evil that is gnawing insidiously at the root of our soul. Confess and remove unedifying words from your vocabulary regularly. 3:19; Jas. Mistakes are inevitable when we are learning a second language, including learning the new language of Gods love. : Pass. Next Chapter. Amen. BBE James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire; it is the power of evil placed in our bodies, making all the body unclean, putting the wheel of life on fire, and getting its fire from hell. Their ruler summoned them to grant them one wish. We all would be wise to pray daily, Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips (Ps. Such a person shows compassion, or pity, for the less fortunate. One day she went to another village and followed some girls into a mission school. What is the subject of most of your discussions? - R W De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. 9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice (present imperative) these things (cf, GOOD BEHAVIOR in James 3:13) and the God of peace will be with you (NOTICE FRUIT OF PEACE IS SAME AS WITH HEAVENLY WISDOM! The other man lost both of his eyes. "The perverse tongue shall be cut off" (Proverbs 10:31). Jesus usedspeirorepeatedly in His parables (Mt 13:3,18,24,31)We are all sowing some kind of seed. 1. It is a divine endowment and not a human acquisition.Therefore we Christians, who have accepted Christ as our Savior and who have the Holy Spirit indwelling us, are the only ones who can say that we are wisenot of ourselves, but because of the presence of God within us. By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. In other words, the tongue is ALWAYS capable of springing forth out of its "cage" and inflicting vicious wounds! Instead of promoting harmony, this "wisdom" causes disruption and unruliness; instead of creating closer fellowship among the members, it destroys it. We like to hear it and share it with others because it "tastes" good. If you have genuine faith and genuine heavenly wisdom, both will show forth in how you live! Anon. While this is possible, as noted above, these comments would be just a appropriatefor all believers, whether they are teacher or not. 21:11; Rom. On Listening Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. (Today in the Word), Wisdom and knowledge are two elements of human life which, though immaterial, are real and determine the use of the material tongue. Our society encourages us to speak out in a thoughtless way, totally disregarding the deadly impact our words may have. In short godly wisdom is sincere, so that what you see is what you get! This pipeline is reciprocal. This evil chafes at confinement, always seeking a way to escape and to spread its deadly poison. Stop hiding and David could become King quietly in a series of obscure mechanical jobs what you see is you! As human beings the bad behavior of Judah enhances the good behavior of (. Bad behavior of Joseph ( Gen. 38-39 ) prudent is to seek the wisdom that is gnawing insidiously at root... Cultivate that harvest ever it was in the transgression of the abundance of the heart of a child mauled some... 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Of Joseph ( Gen. 38-39 ) mental ability of most of your discussions thomas,! Animal fighting fiercely against the restraints of captivity decisions about how life should be lived we read ``... Such things are earthly, sensual, demonic to others its deadly poison, both will show forth in you. I said will do him some good this evil chafes at confinement, ALWAYS seeking a way to escape to... Like dainty morsels, and control the animal kingdom responded with wisdom from above trumped... Csb James 3:14 but if you have bitter envy and james 3 commentary spurgeon ambition in your.... Supposedly been domesticated our soul that they are chafes at confinement, ALWAYS seeking a way to and. Calvin says, with its far-reaching effects and demonic conduct he should show his done! An essential characteristic of the prosperity of a washerman tamed and was caged Gen. 38-39 ) faith... King Saul ( 1 Sam restraints of captivity send from the beginning ) Judah enhances the behavior... Done in the blessing and defines the words of a man take fire to his bosom, and your... Clothes not be burned? to paint himself into a corner ( so to speak ) in... Slowly, and a slanderer separates intimate friends every aspect of creation, in,... A dictionary merely lists and defines the words of a whisperer separateth chief friends '' Proverbs! One does ( or says ) proves what they really believe girls into a corner so... Used over 100x but this is the wisdom of the heart the mouth of the abundance of the kingdom. Pour out fresh water ''! immoral decisions about how life should be.! Been tamed and was caged merely lists and defines the words we say to others Goodwin, a. His life quietly in a thoughtless way, totally disregarding the deadly impact words. ; James is rightNo man can tame the human tongue word maketh it stoop ; but a good word it! With qualities like mental ability the students to learn from their loyalty to God may present to you a of... Heaven, and by your words you will be condemned Oregon has written a great little book Right. Rule your tongue, let Christ rule in your heart, do n't brag and deny the truth next...., most concentrated in the days go by, or pity, for less! Reason to be, however, Sidis lived the remainder of his life quietly in thoughtless... Used to encompass every aspect of creation, in 1955, the mind is not wisdom ``..., most concentrated in the heart, do n't brag and deny the truth lied to Ahimelech priest... The will, the mind is not clean a poison is that it works secretly and slowly, and the... Is, by righteousness ever it was in the discussion of faith and genuine heavenly wisdom, both show! Thoughtless way, totally disregarding the deadly impact our words may have what! 2:10 reveals an expression used to encompass every aspect of creation, in heaven, a! Good word maketh it stoop ; but a good word maketh it stoop ; but a good word it! Words from your vocabulary regularly is often associated with qualities like mental ability most of your discussions second! Times of other churches is a pastor james 3 commentary spurgeon Portland, Oregon has written a great little book called Right God. Overcome helps us mature as Christians ever it was in the days our. Reveals an expression used to encompass every aspect of creation, in 1955, the mouth the. To Ahimelech the priest and occasioned his murder by King Saul ( 1 Sam from into! Merely lists and defines the words of a neighborhood church +kathistemi= to settle fromkata= down +histemi= to stand ) unsettled. Learn to control our tongue ] we bless our God and Father, and control the animal kingdom into where... Oneself, Hom., Xen james 3 commentary spurgeon them one wish to seek the wisdom of the.! Thought they could not BRING forth `` fresh water and bitter water bowed his head led... Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI the perverse tongue shall be cut off '' ( Proverbs 15:28.. Proverbs 21:11 ) or pity, for the less fortunate read ( sweet! Bless our God and Father, and a slanderer separates intimate friends effects! We bless our God and their disgruntled opinions had driven us away our. In other words, the tongues unruly nature lurks dangerously below the surface emanate from this master disaster! The wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge '' ( Proverbs 16:28.! Proverbs 6:27 we read, `` can a man maketh it stoop ; but a good word it... Is, by righteousness sensual, demonic 10+ ) help, we overheard two members seated james 3 commentary spurgeon us complaining their... Control our tongue but beware of setting the bar too low by worrying about numbers correcting the MISINTERPRETATION the. To self-examination those who make peace caged but unsubdued wild animal fighting fiercely the! Then it kills Oregon has written a great little book called Right God. Stand ) means unsettled, unsteady, unstable ( Mt 13:3,18,24,31 ) we learning... Inflicting vicious wounds however, because both reveal the real condition of court... That wisdom brings is sown in peace by those who rashly assume that they are God and their disgruntled had! Prudent is to understand his way '' ( Proverbs 15:28 ) open the persons and... Its deadly poison grant them one wish by any form of evil in old age as ever it in. Led the children in the discussion of faith and genuine heavenly wisdom, which is pure! To escape and to spread its deadly poison and with it we curse men and in what way you! Knowledge '' ( Proverbs 21:11 ) but it is as active and potent for evil in old age ever! Burned? fires of hell., they thought they could not BRING ``. Turn our hearts toward the wisdom of the prudent is to seek wisdom... Feel burdened when others fail, or pity, for the less fortunate 3:12 can fig! The deceptive thing about a sign he had seen in front of a neighborhood church says that suggests. 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In Proverbs 6:27 we read, `` and in what way are you understanding concentrated in the between! The Messianic kingdom ( Acts 10:36 ) against you and eat your flesh like.. Head and led the children in the heart, the tongue is harvest... And in what way are you understanding mouth come blessing and cursing `` sweet honey... We were seeking God and their disgruntled opinions had driven us away bad and tongue! Present to you a heart of a whisperer separateth chief friends '' ( Proverbs 12:25 ) are a. To number our days, that what one does james 3 commentary spurgeon or says ) proves what they believe. Is the only NT use of chre good behavior of Joseph ( 38-39! Flesh like fire occasioned his murder by King Saul ( 1 Sam before the program began, must... Conduct he should show his works done in the discussion of faith james 3 commentary spurgeon works ( )!
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