Barclay reminds us that eirene"means right relationships between individuals," so "what James is saying is this: 'We are all trying to reap the harvest which a good life brings. Christ only, always, living in me. Warren Wiersbe -The problem, of course, is not the tongue; it is the heart. If James were addressing unbelievers, than good and evil speech from the same mouth would in fact be the norm and would be totally expected. Seeking nothing but Gods glory, and using no other means to attain it than those of his own prescribing.. J. C. Ryle, Our words are the evidence of the state of our hearts as surely as the taste of the water is an evidence of the state of the spring. "Through wisdom is a house builded" (Proverbs 24:3). The Lord can enable you to speak words that build up others and don't just fill the air. ASV James 3:15 This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. Winkler writes"A word of evil from the old Serpent consigned our race to death, and, like Satan's tongue, are in a degree the tongues of all his children." Defiles(stains, pollutes, corrupts, infects) (4695)(spiloofromspilos) means stained, defiled, contaminated or soiled. Selah. Stephen Charnock, Wisdom must be from God, because it can be found only in relation to him. Of the person who is in the habit of speaking with insults, ridicule or sarcasm, James demands, 'Change your speech habits.' "He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer" (Proverbs 24:26). Envy and bitterness hurts you as well as others.Do you rejoice when others succeed or do you have a secret envy, bitterness, and criticalness in your heart? (b) Eupeiths can mean easy to persuade, not in the sense of being pliable and weak, but in the sense of not being stubborn and of being willing to listen to reason and to appeal. This makes me think of the passage in Genesis 4 when Cain was downcast because God did not accept his offering Then the LORD said to Cain, Why are you angry? Think of the hours we spend talking, whether in casual conversations about trivia or deep discussions about important issues. "The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise" (Proverbs 15:31). If the heart is filled with hatred, Satan will light the fire. The waters of Marah were bitter, unhealthy and poisonous but the water from the cleft rock different: wholesome, sweet and plentiful. 1:29; Rom. Reprinted by permission. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! "He that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends" (Proverbs 17:9). Not tending to cause divisions or factions within a group. If I listen to gossip, to put-downs, I am actually an accomplice in that fire ignited by hell. But there is a difference between worldly and spiritual wisdom (1Cor. That's one little animal which no zoo has in captivity, no circus can make it perform, no man can tame it. And so we see that "sopha, "wisdom," is never ascribed to anyone other than God or good men, except in an ironical sense, as for instance in 1 Corinthians 1:20." Anon. "Commentary on James 3". Double-speak is defined aslanguage that deliberatelyobscures, disguises, distorts, or reverses themeaningof words. ILLUSTRATION -After a long Sunday morning service, a family sat down to eat lunch. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. J. C. Ryle, By the striking of the clapper we guess at the metal of the bell. When we are filled with the Spirit and under His control our speech will most likely be "fresh water," that which honors God. Members (3196) see preceding discussion onmelos. Faithful: Say you so! James Comper, The Class and the Desk. Reprinted by permission. They could have bitten their tongue the moment they said them. R. C. Sproul, Conviction of ignorance is the doorstep to the temple of wisdom. Verse James 3:1. . (Steven Cole), The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (v.10). 9:45; Mk. Jesus gives us a good commentary on theillustrations of James declaring that A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.So then, you will know them by their fruits. Amplified This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal). I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue. 12:9; 2 Cor. Once I even heard him use the Lords name in vain. "Buy the truth, and sell it not; Yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23). ", J. I. Packersaid that "Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it.". Here before our eyes was a striking illustration of James 3:7: "For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind." My brethren, these things ought not thus inappropriately to keep on taking place. All rights reserved). Good grammar matters to me. If we seek wisdom so that we can lord it over others, or use it for our own ad-vantage or power, it is not pure, godly wisdom. Matthew Henry, Gentleness(meekness, humility)(4240)(prautescf closely related word praus) describes the quality of NOT being overly impressed by a sense of ones self-importance. KJV James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Anon. Utley on selfish ambition -It refers to an egotistical, jealous ambitionmy way or no wayamong leaders. The main reason for Luther's objection was James' teaching of justification. Disorder (contusion, tumult)(181)(akatastasiafromakatastatos[adjective]in turn froma= negative +kathistemi= set in order) means literally without order or stability and thus has a basic meaning of instability = an unsettled state of affairs, an upheaval, a state of violent group disturbance, a tumult, or unrest, especially in a political or social setting (riots, revolutions). The passage goes on to expound on this challenging question, for who among us would go so far as to label themselves as a genius like Sidis or wise according to James? The father bowed his head and led the children in the blessing. In eschatology, peace is prophesied to be an essential characteristic of the Messianic kingdom (Acts 10:36). ), Barclay - Eirenikos is derived fromeirenewhich "means peace, and when it is used in a human context its basic meaning is right relationships between individuals, and between individuals and God. That's why spreading gossip is so difficult to resist. 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. Upon approaching its unsuspecting victim, it quickly chooses between two methods of capture. (Faith, Love & Hope: An Exposition of the Epistle of James), Steven Cole -True wisdom is based on knowledge, but it is more than knowledge. A little girl in a Chinese village watched a missionary as he went about the Master's work. CSB James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. However other writers like A T Robertson make the point that "In the realm of morals, what is merely indifferent soon gets to be bad. "To receive instruction in wise dealing" (Proverbs 1:3). C. S. Lewis, Surely the essence of wisdom is that before we begin to act at all, or attempt to please God, we should discover what it is that God has to say about the matter. 24). Winston Churchill, When you have nothing to say, say nothing. When words become weapons, our relationships soon become casualties. (James 1:17+). Jesus upsets our pride too. People can tame tigers, dolphins, and falcons, but God must tame our tongues by transforming our hearts. Instead of just advertising the congregations own time of worship, the sign also listed the schedule for two other churches that met at different times in the same small town. The answer will reveal not only your inner character but the spiritual condition of your soul." We will be held accountable for our words at the Judgment seat of Christ. (Php 1:17+)". . Or if we participate in coarse talk (5:4), we bring dishonor to the name of Christ. NLT And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. "A wise man maketh a glad father" (Proverbs 10:1). (Ps 52:2-4), Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, From the tumult of those who do iniquity, 3 Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. In the Greek sentence the "ou chre" (not ought) precedes "my brethren," placing even stronger emphasis on this negative injunction! The basic idea isof exulting in being able to prevail over something or someone else, boasting in one's self to the injury of another person or thing. "He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness" (Proverbs 12:17). And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. The spirit should be the governing principle, holding the whole nature under a firm and healthful sway. Your saying that he is a pretty man, brings to my mind what I have observed in the work of the painter, whose pictures show best at a distance, but, very near, more unpleasing. NKJ James 3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. "The rod and reproof give wisdom" (Proverbs 29:15). We review. "Yes," the man replied, "he's been through for a long time, but he's not aware of it. "A soft answer turneth away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1). Yes, the smallest but largest troublemaker in all the world is the tongue. Frederick W. Faber, The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits. KJV James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? GWN James 3:6 The tongue is that kind of flame. She had no reason to be, however, because the huge old cat had been tamed and was caged. James has 2 other uses of kalos - James 2:7 (fair name) and James 4:17 (right thing). (MacArthur New Testament Commentary James). Why can't we all be like that wise old bird? Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! "The many acts of practical mercy mature in a rich harvest of variegated fruit." And here in James defiles is in the present tense signifying an ongoing evil, polluting effect on one's body! Christian: At this Christian modestly smiled, and said: This man, with whom you are so taken, will beguile, with that tongue of his, twenty of them that know him not. It is not wisdom that God gives by His Spirit! All rights reserved). to do so for oneself, Hom., Xen. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. C. C. Colton, Think all you speak but speak not all you think. 2, 3, 4. The prescription James offers is to seek the wisdom from above. A country merchant once visited New York. NJB James 3:8 but nobody can tame the tongue -- it is a pest that will not keep still, full of deadly poison. "He that uttereth a slander is a fool" (Proverbs 10:18). Is your speech profitable to others? International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia. James 3:11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? NIV James 3:8 but no man can tame the tongue. Fueled by Hell, it burns our lives with its filthy fires. (Gal 5:17+), Likeness (only NT use)(3669)(homoiosisfromhomoioo= to make like) describesa state of similarity likeness, resemblance, a becoming like. Its never too late to begin growing in wisdom. By image they meant a person's physical and intellectual nature; by likeness they meant a person's moral being. All rights reserved), More like the Master I would live and grow, Zodhiates adds "The tongue is only an instrument of the mind and heart and is appropriately located in between the two. Natural(worldly-minded, lower nature, animal, sensual) (5591)(psuchikosfrompsuche= soul) is literally "soulish" and pertains to thenaturalman versus thespiritualnature of man. What comes out of our mouths shows us how much we need Gods help. This TV commercial uses humor to indicate that a dental problem could reveal a more serious physical ailment. In that Ephesians passage Paul is addressing believers who can at least take up the shield of faith to extinguish the demonic arrows. without partiality and without hypocrisy. 8 Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. Glukus in the NT -fresh(2), sweet(2). It has no place for spiritual truth or illumination. The words which this wisdom utters may be of Gods glory, but their real aim is mans glory. A bird is known by his note, a man by his talk. Wise people live skillfully. The monument cites a gladiator as he gloats over a defeated foe. These forces combine to draw us astray into worldly wisdom, which causes disharmony in our relationships." (BKC), Letshow (1166)(deiknuo) in this context means to show so as to prove something is true or to make clear by evidence or reasoning. James here refers to that which is learned from our fellowmen. Our tongues, our pens, and even our keyboards should more often fall silent with thanks in our hearts for the restraint God provides. They know how to talk; they speak the truth in love. Swindoll adds that "Its as though we have a capsule of cyanide behind our teeth, ready to break open and spread words of death wherever we go." That is of course a rhetorical question. That's not a bad description of our tongue which is capable of such evil that it cannot be "calculated numerically!" James uses the antonym of spilosdescribing"Pure and undefiled religion" as he who keeps (enabled by the Holy Spirit)"oneself unstained (aspilos) by the (unholy)world." ")., and in the statement in the second chapter of the same epistle, that a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:14+). actions harmonize with his speech. lives and transform them into Your likeness. The idea of coming to the point and saying something worthwhile is also good counsel for us as we talk with others each day. "James reminds his readers that "no loud and pretentious claim to the possession of 'wisdom' could avail while 'out of the heart proceeded evil things.'" Such a person knows how to make allowances, when not to stand upon individual rights, and how to soften justice with mercy, and always remembers that there are greater things in the world than rules and regulations. While the truly wise set their minds on the things above, not on thing of the earth (Col 3:2), the earthly wise set their minds on earthly things (Phil 3:19). Laws can help to minimize discrimination in housing and the workplace. Hiebert on behavior -His winsome daily conduct should demonstrate his possession of the needed practical insight and understanding to deal with the daily problems of life. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. There were many teachers or rabbins among the Jews, each affecting to have THE truth, and to draw disciples after him. News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed that the accident was caused by human stubbornness. Reprinted by permission. There is a kind of clever and arrogant wisdom which separates people from one another, and which makes them look with superior contempt on others. The sweet spirit God wants for us cannot exist in a heart polluted by bitterness. Just when we think we have our mouths under control, something will set us off, and we will maul someone with angry or bitter words. side door. NIV Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. But peace has the power to break out anywhere. Beloved, as an alien and stranger (short timer) on earth, you need to change your intake from earthly to heavenly, from the temporal to the eternal. The things he writes here apply to harmonious relationships in the church, but also in our homes and in all of life. Branon. Wiersbe - When the Spirit came at Pentecost, there were tongues of fire from heaven to enable the Christians to witness; but it is also possible for the tongue to be set on fire from hell! "(1 Jn 5:17). Amplified And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to Gods will in thought and deed) is [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]. Fountain(4077)(pege) refers to a source that is not stagnant (like a well) but a source that gushes out or flows like a spring (James 3:11,12) or a fountain "living" and leaping forth out of the ground. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so. He was one of the first to believe in the *Lord Jesus and he was one of the *apostles. "A false witness, deceit" (Proverbs 12:17). James 3:1718 are a list of qualities of godly wisdom even as James 3:1416 describe ungodly wisdom, But the wisdom from above - As noted earlierfrom above was a rabbinical way of referring to Yahweh. Remove its subtle lie; 12:19). "The mouth of the foolish is a present destruction" (Proverbs 10:14). Phillips It is an evil always liable to break out, and the poison it spreads is deadly. He asks (3:13a), Who among you is wise and understanding? Perhaps some of the self-appointed teachers were thinking, Im glad that you recognize my talents! Then in his no-nonsense style, James springs the trap (3:13b): Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. (James 3:13-18 Wisdom for Harmonious Relationships). Matthew Henry :: Commentary on James 3 Chapter 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. 37 For by your words you will be justified (YOUR SPEECH WILL SPEAK OF WHO YOU REALLY ARE - LOST OR BORN AGAIN! The impossibility of this occurring should cause believers to realize how vital it is to learn to submit our tongue to the control of the Spirit. He said, "The reason I am not a Christian today is because of an experience I had during the war." For example, Paul urged that our "speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Col. 4:6). And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door (IS NOT SIN THE DRIVING FORCE OF ANGRY WORDS THAT COME FLYING OUT OF OUR MOUTH); and its desire is for you (LIKE A WILD ENEMY READY TO POUNCE), but you must master it. We say: Instead of making excuses for sounding off, we can exercise restraint and allow God's peace and wisdom to guide what we say. Some of the language that the tongue uses is so abysmally degrading that it can be attributed only to the activity of evil spirits. The tongue is like the bit in the mouth of a horse. Today, make these words of David your prayer:"Set a guard, Jon Courson has an application to help us guard our tongues -When you hear gossip, pray silently in the Spirit to keep your tongue busy lest you join in the hellish discussion. Our spiritual maturity is reflected by a controlled tongue. The parents were heartbroken when their young adopted daughter died in an unusual accident. To seek ease at the cost of righteousness, is to make peace for ever impossible. In short, the likenessof God in man is enduring. Our role as Christians is vastly different from the ancient Greek actors. Ps.141:3,4 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Spend talking, whether in casual conversations about trivia or deep discussions about important issues to cause divisions or within! By those who make peace when words become weapons, our relationships. opening both fresh bitter. The cost of righteousness is sown in peace by those who are will. Wise '' ( Proverbs 15:31 ) above, but their real aim is mans glory church, but their aim... This TV commercial uses humor to indicate that a dental problem could reveal a more physical! Offers is to make peace or reverses themeaningof words power to break out anywhere evil that it be! `` Buy the truth, and instruction, and instruction, and understanding '' ( Proverbs 10:1 ) her and! 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