Bible Commentaries
James 3

Verses 1-2

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1

The word for "teachers" used here is the Greek didaskaloi. The word can mean either "teachers" or "masters."^(F1) In the King James Version it was translated "masters" but the more literal and better translation is "teachers" as seen here in the NIV.

The role of teacher was a critical role in the early Christian period. In those days there was no New Testament to which people could refer. The teacher, who was ranked in a position directly after the apostles and prophets (1 Corinthians 12:28), was the one who was largely responsible for maintaining correct doctrine and practice in the church.

One of the greatest dangers for the early church was found in teachers who taught heresy. Two of the most notable of these teachers were Marcion and Arius. Other false teachers taught by their poor examples and loose morals and of course the ancients had nothing on us today in this area.

"It was Trapp, one of the old divines, who said, 'If a teacher sins he teaches sin.'"^(F2) C. W. Slemming points out that in Israel, "The offerings required by God for the priest and the whole congregation were equal, or, in the sight of God the sin of a priest was as large as the sin of a whole congregation, because if a man in an official capacity sins, he can lead a whole nation astray."^(F3) So it is with the teacher.

In the Jewish world the title "Rabbi" was a name of honor given to the teachers or masters of the Torah. This office was held in very high esteem by the Jews and still is today. It is clear that Jesus was often called "Rabbi" or teacher by his disciples and others (Mark 9:5; John 4:31; Mark 10:51). It is also clear that he warned his disciples about calling themselves by this title (Matthew 23:8). The Jews like the early Christians seem to have cautioned those who were aspiring to the office of master or teacher. In the Mishnah tractate Aboth 1:10, we read this instruction, "Love labor and hate mastery." Shammai, the great Jewish leader of Jesus' era also said, "say little and do much" (Aboth 1:15).

It appears that the modern and postmodern church has given little heed to what James says in this verse. Today there are multitudes of teachers and growing numbers of false teachers. Some years ago the Barna Research Group did a survey of spiritual gifts in the church. They discovered that the most popular gift was that of teaching, with 12 percent of Christians claiming that gift. Next in line was the gift of helps or service with 9 percent claiming that one. Interestingly, only 3 percent claimed the gift of giving.^(F4) Obviously, folks today are not the least intimidated by seeking and taking on the teaching role.

"We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check" (3:2). The big problem with teaching is in controlling the tongue. It seems that James is almost thinking that the teacher is the tongue of the whole congregation, just like the small rudder is the ruler of the ship. The one who best controls the tongue has the best chance of coming to maturity or perfection according to James.

When the Bible speaks of our perfection it is not speaking of being sinless but of gaining maturity and wholeness in the Christian life. It is speaking of reaching that goal for which Christ has designed us and called us. We cannot help but be amazed that a very large portion of this small letter of James concerns the tongue.^(F5)

James sees the control of our tongues as a very important part of gaining maturity. He has already warned us about the tongue abuses in 1:19 and now he will continue.

Verses 3-6

CONTROLLING THE TONGUE

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. James 3:3

One of the most frightening memories of my early childhood was the run-away team that had been spooked and was running wildly at top speed with a wagon in tow and sometimes a very frightened driver hanging on for dear life. This seemed to happen quite often as I remember. The run-away made an awful noise on the gravel roads of those days. My mother, when she heard a run-away coming down the road, would rush out in great alarm to gather my sister and me to safety.

Horses out of control can be dangerous things, but on the other hand horses in control can be graceful additions to any show. For many centuries horses were also the mainstays of most work done throughout the world.

The secret to having horses in control was the bit placed in the horse's mouth. The bit was usually made of metal and allowed the rider to exert pressure and leverage, turning the horse's head in the direction he wished to go. Thus with a small bit a large horse could be turned and controlled. So it is with the tongue.

"Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go" (3:4). The size of the rudder on ships seems all out of proportion to the size of the whole vessel. Yet, although it is very small it exerts great influence on the direction of the ship. Again, so it is with the tongue. "His point is that the church too is large, and faces fierce storms, but if those who exercise authority in teaching do so wisely the whole church will move forward in the direction in which God wants it to go."^(F6)

"Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark" (3:5). Wiersbe recounts how "A fire reportedly started in the O'Leary barn in Chicago at 8:30 p.m., October 8, 1871; and because that fire spread, over 100,000 people were left homeless, 17,500 buildings were destroyed, and 300 people died. It cost the city over $400 million."^(F7)

James, who lived his life in Israel, was no doubt familiar with Israel's wildfires as we have described previously. In Israel there are at least five or six months each year when there is absolutely no rain. During these hot and dry months wildfires are a constant threat. I once remember a wildfire starting at the western foothills and burning its way almost to the outskirts of Jerusalem, some 34 miles (55 km.) away.

On a dry early December day in 2010 some young Druze boys were trying to secretly smoke a nargila pipe near their home on Matthew Carmel. One of the coals started a fire which quickly became the most deadly fire in Israel's history. More than 17,000 people had to be evacuated from the area and the fire eventually claimed 44 lives. Much of Israel's beautiful Carmel forest was destroyed.^(F8) James is insistent that the tongue, although a little and seemingly insignificant thing, can work an even worse havoc.

"The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell" (3:6). We see that the tongue is a terribly corrupting and destroying thing. It can quickly defile the whole person. To counteract this great evil we are told in Colossians 4:6, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

When we lose control of the tongue it affects the whole course of life and sets it aflame. The Greek expression used here (trochos geneseos) or "course of life" is a difficult one that does not appear elsewhere in scripture. It seems to picture for us the wheel of being, the repetition of life, and likely refers to the whole matter of life and living.^(F9)

Some have thought that this might be a picture of an overheated chariot wheel and axle that eventually catches the whole wheel on fire. We might think here of the fiery words of Adolph Hitler. Someone has calculated that for every word written in Hitler's book Mein Kampf, 125 lives were lost in World War II.^(F10)

Clearly the wrong use of the tongue and a tongue out of control eventually can set one's whole being on fire in hell. The word here is Gehenna which is usually translated "hell." Jesus used this term on several occasions (Matthew 5:22-30; 18:9; Mark 9:43-47 & Luke 12:5). It is interesting that only Jesus and his brother James use this same word. This is just another of the many proofs of this book's authenticity.

The book of James is filled with vivid pictures and obviously James was a keen observer of nature. No doubt James often looked out over the large Hinnom Valley (ge-hinnom) that surrounded Jerusalem on its west and south sides. In Israel's early history this valley became the place where Israelite children were sacrificed to the pagan god Molech (2 Kings 16:3; 17:17 & 23:10). Gehenna was eventually made into a garbage dump, with fire, smoke, worms and stench.^(F11) What an appropriate picture this valley became of the eternal suffering, loss and destruction of hell. Simply, hell is God's garbage dump.

In order to counteract the inherent evil of the tongue the Bible gives us many admonitions. Proverbs 10:19 says, "Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues." Proverbs 15:1-2 advises us, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly." In Proverbs 18:21we read: "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Also, Proverbs 26:20 says, "Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down."

Finally, in Matthew 12:36 Jesus says, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken."

On the very practical side, Davids charges us, "Keep speech pure, and the rest will be 'a snap;' that is the mark of a mature Christian." ^(F12)

Verses 7-8

CAN THE TONGUE BE TAMED?

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, James 3:7

When God created man he gave him dominion over every living thing on the earth (Genesis 1:28). Much of that dominion has now been lost through the fall but there is still a great fear and respect of man that is seen in most living creatures. Man has been able to use his inherent dominion to tame many formerly wild creatures. In fact, most all domesticated animals have at some point been tamed by man. Barnes says that the only animal man has not been able to tame is the hyena.^(F13) However, by 2004, Seyyid Abdishakur of eastern Ethiopia had taken a wild hyena and trained it to look after his goats.^(F14)

Man is not so fortunate when it comes to taming his own tongue. James says, "but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (3:8). James seems to have the picture of a deadly serpent here, perhaps even a cobra (Psalm 58:4). Also in Psalm 140:3, we read of some people who "…make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips" (cf. Romans 3:13). Perhaps this is a picture of the viper whose tongue continually darts back and forth. As human beings we must learn to keep our tongues in our mouths where they belong.

A woman once came up to the great evangelist John Wesley telling him that she had discovered her talent. She said to him, "I think my talent from God is to speak my mind." Wesley replied to her, "I don't think God would mind if you buried that talent."^(F15)

There is also the story coming from the 1930-40s of the noted Texas and Oklahoma evangelist Cowboy Crimm. Once he preached a rousing sermon under a large tent. The subject of his sermon was "The Tongue." At the close of his sermon, the town's most notorious gossip, who was also a religious leader, came forward in repentance. She said "Oh Brother Crimm, I have come forward to lay my tongue on the altar of God." The evangelist replied, "I apologize, Sister, our altar is only ten feet long; but whatever part of it you can get on there, go right ahead!"^(F16)

Paul says in Ephesians 4:29, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Well, it is clear that while humans are not able to tame their tongues God is able to tame them. In Psalm 141:3, we hear the psalmist pleading with God: "Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips." The good news is that we Christians now have the Holy Spirit of God living in us and if we will let him, the Holy Spirit will help us tame our tongues. It is a very important aspect of the continuing work of sanctification going on in godly lives. A controlled tongue will also keep us out of a lot of trouble.

Someone has said that we should lead our lives in such a way that we will not be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip. When Chris Taylor's girlfriend answered her cell phone the parrot trilled flirtatiously "Hiya Gary!" But Taylor didn't know anyone by the name of Gary. His girlfriend Suzy swore that she didn't know anyone by that name either. She continued sticking to her story even when her parrot Ziggy began making lovey-dovey, smooching noises when it heard the name Gary on television. Later, when Ziggy blurted out "I love you Gary," it was too much. The red-faced Suzy had to confess that she was a two-timer.^(F17)

Verses 9-12

SPEECH THAT IS TRUE AND WITHOUT MIXTURE

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. James 3:9

There are some things that cannot go together. We cannot praise God and curse men at the same time. People are made in God's image and likeness, as we see in Genesis 1:26-27. When humans remember this all-important fact, life goes along a lot better for everyone. Unfortunately, in our modern and postmodern worlds people have been taught that they simply sprang from slime through the process of evolution and therefore it is not surprising that relationships are becoming more and more "slimy." If we evolved like a lowly frog it should not be surprising that we croak a lot with our mouths and it should also not be unexpected that we would devour each other with our tongues just as a frog devours a bug.

What a difference between the cursing tongue of the wicked and the blessing tongue of the righteous! In Proverbs 10:11 we read, "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence." In Proverbs 12:18 we also read: "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

James goes on to say, "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be" (3:10). We note from our life experiences that good things can sometimes become bad things if they are not properly controlled. The great Johnstown Flood of Pennsylvania happened in 1889 and took 2,200 lives while destroying some $10 million in property.^(F18) While water is a good thing, water uncontrolled can cause an enormous disaster.

"Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" (3:11). It is possible here that James has in mind the area around the Dead Sea where there are many salt springs. It is impossible to drink from these brackish waters. Obviously a spring cannot contain sweet water and brackish water at the same time. It must become one or the other.

"My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water" (3:12). Here James seems to be going to the root of the problem which is seen in the very nature of a fruit tree. Trees bear fruit according to their nature. Jesus said in Matthew 7:17-20, "Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

In one sense the mouth is like the fruit of the tree. A righteous person is thus a "tree of life" (Proverbs 11:30; cf. 15:4) to those who hear him. Jesus once said, "…For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of" (Matthew 12:34). The mouth speaks what is in the heart. The only hope for humanity is that the heart itself can be changed. This comes about by the new birth wherein God gives us a new heart as well as a new mind. As Moo says, "James sees a person's speech as a barometer of his spirituality; it reveals what is in the heart."^(F19)

From the wicked tongue can come guile, deceit, discord, foul speech, gossip, slander, flattery, complaining, murmuring, "poor mouthing," negative talking, threats, outbursts of anger, malicious and abusive language, lying, arguing, proud boasting, foolish talking and jesting or just talking too much. James has told us earlier in 1:26 that if we lose the battle of the tongue we lose everything and our religion is worthless. However, as he tells us in 3:2 if we control the tongue we have virtually gained everything and have come to maturity.

O the blessings of a tamed tongue! Such a tongue is a witness for Christ; it bears witness to God's truth, brings cheer, consolation, encouragement, hope, love, and blessing. It brings forth gracious words "…like apples of gold in settings of silver…" (Proverbs 25:11). The tongue sings and praises God. It intercedes for others. It prays and talks with God. This is no doubt the highest use of the mortal tongue.

O for a tongue of wisdom – a disciplined tongue, one that can converse freely with the Father and praise him continually! It is such a tongue that is a tree of life to all those within hearing (Proverbs 15:4). Could we say with Psalm 17:3, "Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed."

May our mouths be filled with such gracious words as "Bless you," "Please," "Thank you," "I'm sorry," "I'm praying for you," "I love you."^(F20)

Verses 13-16

TWO TYPES OF WISDOM

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13

When we read James and compare it with the other wisdom books of the Old Testament we must realize that we have lost a whole biblical way of life. Perhaps we have been overly swayed by postmodern media of all types, especially by television. Today the "good life" is constantly portrayed before us as prosperous, pleasurable, selfish, adulterous, proud and godless. There are probably several other adjectives we could include here in describing it. The simple, humble, but extremely happy biblical lifestyle has all but been forsaken by our age. It appears also that it has almost been forsaken by multitudes of Christians.

What is doubly sad is that we seem to think that those who pursue such a worldly lifestyle are "wise." We also consider all its many "educated" advocates as "wise" men and women. Adam Clarke that British Methodist scholar and commentator of yesteryear says, "Those proud, overbearing, and disdainful men, who pass for great scholars and eminent critics, may have learning, but they have not wisdom."^(F21) Coffman adds here, "There is a moral foundation in all true wisdom, there being an utter impossibility of any wicked person being, in any sense, wise."^(F22)

It might greatly surprise us to hear that God labels all this so-called wisdom as "foolishness" (1 Corinthians 1:20). No doubt one reason he calls it foolishness is because the world's wisdom does not work. It never did and it never will. It results in great masses of broken people everywhere.

For instance, adultery and fornication, which seem to be so highly prized by our age, have never worked in all the chronicles and annals of human history. God says that a person who seeks after these things lacks judgment, or is a fool (Proverbs 6:32). We are literally swamped today with records of broken homes, ruined lives, bulging prisons, murdered babies, venereal diseases and hundreds of other things attesting that such a lifestyle is an abysmal failure.

So there are two types of wisdom. There is the wisdom of this world or the wisdom of this present evil age and there is the wisdom of God. Millions are seeking the first kind of wisdom but not so many are standing at God's gate seeking his wisdom (Proverbs 8:34). Let us look at some of the characteristics of this godly wisdom.

This wisdom produces a good life crowned with lots of good deeds. All this is clothed in humility. Some may be frowning already but really, what is so bad about good conduct (Gk. kales anastrophes) or good behavior?^(F23) It seems like our world could use a lot of this right now. In our society of narcissism it would also be refreshing to see a little humility once in a while.

Unfortunately many today would consider humility and its twin of meekness as forms of weakness. We all are familiar with the rules of "success" in this age that require our stepping on the heads of those below us and achieving prominence at their expense.

Humility or meekness (Gk. prautes) produces good work that will be a blessing to humanity. Far from being weak, meekness is strength under control. Wiersbe says of it, "Meekness is the right use of power, and wisdom is the right use of knowledge."^{prautes) was hardly a virtue to be sought after in the minds of most Greeks - it suggested a servile, ignoble debasement But Jesus, who was himself 'meek' (Matthew 11:29), pronounced a blessing on those who were meek (Matthew 5:5)." (Moo p.136).">(F24)} Clarke adds here, "That learning is not only of little worth, but despicable, that does not teach a man to govern his own spirit, and to be humble in his conduct towards others."^(F25)

James became a perfect example of his teaching. During the great Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 there was much stress over Gentiles coming into the faith and tempers were flaring. It is amazing how James, the leader of the Jerusalem church and perhaps the most outstanding believer in Israel, humbled himself and in his wisdom he preserved the truth of the gospel and closed the great council in peace.

The Bible would challenge us to follow his example. Peter says, "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us" (1 Peter 2:11-12). Paul advises us in Romans 12:18, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

"But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth" (3:14). Envy and selfish ambition seem to be most prized sentiments in our dog-eat-dog world, but in the spiritual world they are condemned. Why are they condemned? They only work jealousy, selfishness, anger, bitterness, enmity and a host of other evil, debilitating and deadly emotions.

Years ago even in the secular world there was a great deal of teamwork, pride in the organization, and support of the group. Somewhere in the latter part of the twentieth century the emphasis shifted to the individual or "super-star" mentality. Some people began to feel that they could succeed solely by themselves without help from anyone. This was a deceptive and destructive idea that has no doubt cost the business world a lot of money and success. The truth is that we all must work together as a group. A few sports stars have been wise enough to say "I couldn't have done it without the team!"

We need to take care that the sentiments of the world do not creep into the church. The Bible makes clear in 1 Corinthians 12:14-27, that we cannot function or succeed without the help of everyone else. We are a body and we must all work together, cry together, pray together and rejoice together. There is no room for envy, selfish ambition or boasting in the assembly. When a person is exalted God is robbed of praise. However, when God's wisdom is at work in the body there is humility, submission and God gets all the glory.^(F26) How different this wisdom is from the world's so-called "wisdom."

"Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic" (3:15). James gives us the source of the world's wisdom that is so highly prized today. It comes from the earth, from the devil and from hell itself. This wisdom in Greek is daimoniodes or demon-like. We might ask ourselves why so many Christians today are being caught up in worldly wisdom, with all its pride and arrogance.

The Bible declares that these worldly-wise men do not possess real wisdom. It comes only from God who is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). Proverbs 2:6 tells us, "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

James proceeds with his argument, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice" (3:16). "Rivalry and party spirit destroy the cohesiveness of the Christian community, which is built on unity and love."^(F27) We read in 1 Corinthians 14:33, "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace…" As Barnes says, "The Spirit, like a peaceful dove, flies from the realms of noise and strife."^(F28)

Verses 17-18

HALLMARKS OF THE HEAVENLY WISDOM

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:17

Barclay says, "The true wisdom produces right relationships. There is a kind of clever and arrogant wisdom which separates man from man, and which makes a man look with superior contempt on his fellows. There is a kind of cruel wisdom which takes a delight in hurting others with clever, but cutting, words. There is a kind of depraved wisdom which seduces men away from their loyalty to God. But the true wisdom at all times brings men closer to one another and to God."^(F29)

There are many characteristics of this heavenly or celestial wisdom. It is said to be pure (Gk. agne). Not too many things are pure in our age but God's wisdom is pure, flowing down from heaven like a clear mountain stream. Then it is peace-loving or peaceable (Gk. eirenike). Jesus blessed the peace makers (Matthew 5:9) and called them true sons of God. Later, Paul listed peace as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. Barclay adds that "nothing good can ever grow in an atmosphere where men are at variance with one another."^(F30)

The heavenly wisdom is also characterized by being considerate (Gk. epieikes). How the grace of consideration is needed in the boorish age in which we live. This wisdom is also submissive, compliant or ready to obey (Gk. eupeithes). This must surely stand out in an age given over to self-assertion and narcissism. It is full of mercy (Gk. eleos). Just as God has had pity for us and sent his Son to save us, we must also have pity and mercy on our fellow humans. The wisdom from above is also full of good fruit (Gk. karpon agathon). This is the proof of faith and the proof of the other good graces we have mentioned.

Last of all the heavenly wisdom is impartial (Gk. adiakritos), sincere and genuine (Gk. amupokritos). It is unwavering and not hypocritical. If Christians could abound with all these qualities they might become the most popular and sought after people on earth!

"Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness" (3:18). Long ago God said to Moses, "Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants" (Deuteronomy 32:2). God wants his word to come in gentleness and settle upon the human race like refreshing dew.

It seems that James is singling out for special emphasis the aspect of being peaceable and peace loving. No doubt James was very intent upon rooting out the many bitter and contentious disputes that were prone to rend the early church.

We see here that the gospel is really sown in peace, not in war or turmoil. Clarke says, "When the peace of God rules the heart, all these virtues and graces grow and flourish abundantly."^(F31) When peace rules in the heart people are attracted to Christ and the good seed of the gospel is sown.

In closing, Coffman remarks about this whole section saying, "The most outstanding thing in this chapter is the profusion of the spirit and teaching of Jesus Christ which dominates every line of it. In the introduction [of Coffman's book], it was noted that James is the most Christian of all the New Testament writings, in the sense of being based absolutely upon the declarations of the Master himself; and this chapter affords the most remarkable demonstration of that fact."^(F32)