Bible Commentaries
James 3

Verses 1-18

III 1-12 Control of the Tongue— 1. The next admonition is: ’Be ye not many teachers’, since not everyone is qualified to teach, and he who poses as an instructor without the requisite qualifications is liable to a severe judgement.

2. The office of teaching then suggests the manner of controlling the tongue. In many ways faults may be committed, but in none more readily than in too great freedom’ of speech. The man who has perfect I control of his tongue may have his faults, but compared with him who continually offends by speech he is a perfect man. The self-control implied in properly guarding the tongue will manifest itself in one’s whole conduct.

3-5. Two similes are used to illustrate the possibility of I control and the smallness of the instrument involved.

6. The destructive power of the tongue is likened to that of fire. Sometimes a tiny spark may kindle an entire forest. There is such possibility of evil in uncontrolled speech, that the tongue is called ’a world of iniquity’. By it defiling passions may be kindled, fostered and gratified. Thus it may set on fire and destroy the whole course of life, because the source from which the tongue derives its destructive power is the devil. The great difficulty of curbing the tongue requires prayer for grace and constant watchfulness. ’Inflameth the wheel of our nativity’, i.e. life is likened to a wheel which is in continuous motion from birth till death, and throughout this period the tongue may give trouble.

9. How inconsistent some men are, when they first use the tongue to praise God, and then turn upon their fellowmen with curses and slanders. This inconsistency is also pointed out by two illustrations from nature. Some of the similes used by St James are likewise found in classical authors; e.g. man’s control of natural forces and brute animals is contrasted with his lack of self-control in Sophocles, Antigone, 332-50; 475 f. A tiny spark kindling a great forest is used by Homer, Iliad, II, 455, and Virgil, Georg., II, 303; but it is more likely that St James adopted this figure from Proverbs 16:27 or Ecclus 28:12.

13-18 True and False Wisdom— Sins of the tongue are I often prompted by an affectation of being endued with more knowledge than others, and perfect control of it indicates a truly wise man. Wisdom may always be recognized by its works: purity, tranquillity, modesty, docility, equity, mercy and piety.