James Chapter 3 Part 1

 

James Chapter 3 Part 1

Taming the Tongue

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. Jas 3:1

not many masters,... Greek: didaskaloi, teachers (see, Acts 13:1; cp. Luke 12:48). Again meaning teachers, a word that refers to a person who functions in an official teaching or preaching capacity (Luke 4:16-27; John 3:10; Acts 13:14-15; 1Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11).

the greater condemnation... Or stricter judgment. The word translates “judgment” usually expresses a negative verdict in the New Testament and here refers to a future judgment:

(1) For the unbelieving false teacher, at the second coming (Jude 14:15); and

(2) For the believer, when he is rewarded before Christ (1Cor. 4:35).

This is not meant to discourage true teachers, but to warn the prospective teacher of the role’s seriousness (Eze. 3:17-18; 33:7-9; Acts 20:26-27; Heb. 13:17).

This is a possible reminder to those who take authority upon themselves that has not been ordered of God. This is James speaking to, possibly, the Jews who wanted to teach the newcomers to the faith.

James includes himself in the last part of this, where he says that the teachers, who should know more, are in greater condemnation for the sins they commit, because they are operating in full knowledge. This is a warning to all teachers to not think of themselves above those they teach.

The true Teacher of all of us is the Holy Spirit of God. He will teach us all truth.

Speak with Care

Another measure of spiritual maturity is a believer’s speech. James devoted a good portion of his letter to attacking a careless and corrupt tongue. He appealed, however, not only for controlled tongues (Jas. 3:1-12) but also for controlled thoughts (Jas. 3:13-17). The mouth is, after all, connected to the mind. Winsome speech demands a wise source. Both controlled talk and cultivated thought are necessary.

Control talk

From his discourse on idle faith, James proceeded to discuss idle speech. The failure to bridle the tongue, mentioned earlier (Jas. 1:26), is now expanded. As disturbing as those who have faith with no works are those Christians who substitute words for works. One’s tongue should be controlled. Small though it is, the tongue is powerful and all too prone to perversion and pollution.

The Tongue Is Powerful

Again addressing my brothers, a sign that a new topic is being considered, James suggested moderation and restraint in the multiplication of teachers. Obviously too many of the new Jewish Christians aspired to teach and thereby carry some of the rank and admiration given to Rabbis. It is doubtful that the reference here is to official teachers of the apostolic or prophetic status. These are the unofficial teachers (didaskaloi) in the synagogue meetings of the church family where much latitude was given for even strangers to speak. Paul frequently used this courtesy given visitors. James’ complaint was simply that too many believers were overly anxious to speak up and show off (cf. John 3:10; 9:40-41).

Teaching has to be done, but those who teach must understand their responsibility, as those who teach will be judged more strictly. A teacher’s condemnation is greater because, having professed to have a clear knowledge of duty, he is all the more bound to obey it.

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Jas 3:2

we offend all... We all stumble or trip over many things.

Scripture contains much about all the evil which the tongue can cause. The tongue has immense power to speak sinfully, erroneously, and inappropriately, human speech is a graphic representation of human depravity.

any man offend... This refers to sinning, or offending God’s Person. The form of the Greek verb emphasizes that everyone continually fails to do what is right.

a perfect man... “Perfect” may refer to true perfection, in which case James is saying that, hypothetically, if a human being were able to perfectly control his tongue, he would be a perfect man. But, of course, no one is actually immune from sinning with his tongue. More likely, “perfect” is describing those who are spiritually mature and thus able to control their tongues.

We have spoken in other lessons of the tongue being the evillest part of the body. This is why it is so important to allow God to control your tongue. The words that proceed out of a man’s mouth reveal what he really is.

1 Peter 3:10 “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:”

The tongue can do a great deal of harm, if it is not controlled of God. The tongue, controlled of God can do great good. When the tongue is controlled by God, the whole body is under the control of God. The words of the tongue originate in the heart of man. The heart is either, stayed upon God, or desperately wicked.

James did not point a finger at the offenders without including himself: We all stumble in many ways. Nothing seems to trip a believer more than a dangling tongue. If a believer is never at fault (lit., “stumbles not”) in what he says (lit., “in word”), he is a perfect, fulfilled, mature, complete person (teleios anēr). He is able to “bridle” his whole body. Spiritual maturity requires a tamed tongue.

Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Jas 3:3

bits in the... Small things that are powerful:

1. Bits that guide horses (Jas.3:3)

2. Helms that guide great ships (Jas. 3:4)

3. Little fires that kindle great ones

4.Tongues that boast great things (Jas. 3:5-8)

This is just showing that the tongue, controlled of God, is part of a body controlled by God. When the bit is in the horse’s mouth, the rider can turn him with just a gentle pull on the reins. This is saying then, that a tongue controlled by God can cause the whole body to follow God.

The tongue may be small but it is influential. Three illustrations make this point clear: here the bit and the horse, James’ use of imagery drawn from natural phenomena is similar to the Lord’s. It is likewise characteristic of Jewish thought. The Greek used in this passage is both ancient and eloquent. James was both steeped in Jewish tradition and well-versed in Greek classics.

Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Jas 3:4

We see, a very large ship is guided by a very small part of the entire ship. This is true of us, as well. The heart is what we really are. The mouth, speaking from that heart, reveals to the world where we stand with God.

Again, three illustrations make this point clear: the bit and the horse, the rudder and the ship, The argument is clear. Just as little bits… turn grown horses, small rudders guide large ships.

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! Jas 3:5

Words we speak affect those around us. If we speak evil, we will stir up strife among others. If we speak soothing words, the fire of hate and anger will be extinguished.

The tongue may be small but it is influential. Three illustrations make this point clear: the bit and the horse, the rudder and the ship, and the spark and the forest. The argument is clear. Just as little bits… turn grown horses, small rudders guide large ships, and a small spark consumes an entire forest, so the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. The tongue is petite but powerful!

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. Jas 3:6

tongue is a... Like fire, the tongue’s sinful words can spread destruction rapidly, or as its accompanying smoke, those words can permeate and ruin everything around it.

that it defileth... This means “to pollute or contaminate” (Mark 7:20; Jude 23).

course of nature... Greek: trochos, wheel. Only here. The circle of human life is continually excited by the tongue unless it is kept sanctified. Evil surmisings, misrepresentations, falsehoods, jealousies, envyings, wrath, and malice, all form part of the destroying flames of fire from the tongue of the ungodly. Better translated “the circle of life”, this underscores that the tongue’s evil can extend beyond the individual to affect everything in his sphere of influence.

fire of Hell... Greek: geena (see, Luke 12:5). The whole course of life is set on fire of hell. This refers to the anger and violent passions of wrath related to the vile language of the tongue. It also pictures the confusion and misery caused by the tongue—like the misery of hell.

A translation of the Greek word Gehenna (or valley of Hinnom). In Christ’s time this valley that lay southwest of Jerusalem’s walls served as the city dump and was known for its constantly burning fire. Jesus used that place to symbolize the eternal place of punishment and torment (Mark 9:43, 45).

To James, “hell” conjures up not just the place but the satanic host that will someday inherit it, they use the tongue as a tool for evil.

The tongue is a system (world), of iniquity that sets on fire the whole course of life, and is even set on fire by Satan (3:15).

James is speaking of a tongue which has not been dedicated to God. Cutting words can destroy people. Before we are saved, we all have a wicked tongue. I have always said, the reason it is so important to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, is because in so doing we turn the most evil part of our body over to the control of the Spirit of God.

When He has your tongue, He has you. (Verse 6 above), is speaking of the tongue, before we turn it over to the Spirit of God.

The Tongue Is Perverse

The tongue is not only powerful; it is also perverse. It is small and influential but, worse by far, it can be satanic and infectious. The tongue… is a fire (cf. Prov. 16:27; 26:18-22), a world of evil. The tongue sets itself up (kathistatai) among the members, or parts of one’s anatomy, corrupting, spotting, or staining (spilousa; cf. aspilon, “spotless,” in Jas. 1:27) the whole body and inflaming the whole course of… life (lit., “the wheel of existence” or “wheel of birth,” ton trochon tēs geneseōs). It is as though the tongue is at the center or hub of the wheel of nature and, like a fireworks display, the wheel is set on fire at the center. The more it burns, the faster it revolves until the whole wheel spins in a blaze, spitting fire in all directions. But the tongue is only the fuse; the source of the deadly fire is hell itself (lit., “Gehenna,” a place in the Valley of Hinnom south of Jerusalem where human sacrifice had been offered [Jer. 7:31] and where continuous burning of rubbish made it a fit illustration of the lake of fire).

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: Jas 3:7

is tamed, and... (Greek damazo), occurs in only one other New Testament passage (Mark 5:4). About the maniac of Gadara, which helps us to establish the proper meaning of the word in James.

The “taming” has nothing to do with domesticating animals or training them to perform. The meaning is control or dominion. Mankind can control every lesser creature, but no one can control his own tongue.

The tongue is not only like an uncontrolled fire. It is also like an untamed beast. Every kind, or all nature (physis), of wild beasts — birds of the air, reptiles on land, and creatures of the sea — all are being tamed and have been tamed by man (lit., “human nature,” physis; thus “beastly nature” is dominated by “human nature”). But no human is able to tame his tongue!

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Jas 3:8

But the tongue... All species of beasts have been tamed by man, but the tongue cannot be tamed by any cunning, persuasion, or influence of man. Salvation alone can help a man control the tongue (2Cor. 5:17-18).

no man tame... Twelve Things About the Tongue

1. A little member (Jas. 3:5)

2. Boasts great things (Jas. 3:5)

3. Is a fire (Jas. 3:6)

4. A world of iniquity (Jas. 3:6)

5. It defiles the whole body (Jas. 3:6)

6. Sets on fire the course of nature (Jas. 3:6)

7. It is untamable (Jas. 3:7-8)

8. An unruly evil (Jas. 3:8)

9. Full of deadly poison (Jas. 3:8)

10. Used to bless God and curse men (Jas. 3:9)

11. Capable of good conversation (Jas. 3:13)

12. Capable of bitter strife (Jas. 3:14)

Only God, by His power, can do this (Acts 2:1-11).

In the verses above (verse 7 included), we see that the tongue is the most difficult thing in the world to tame. In fact, man cannot tame the tongue. Only God can tame the tongue. Here are a few verses on the evil of the tongue and what we are to do about it.

Psalms 34:13 “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”

Psalms 50:19 “Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.”

Peter 3:10 “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:”

of deadly poison... Fifteen Kinds of Tongues

1. Viper’s tongues (Job 20:16)

2. Flattering tongue (Psm. 5:9)

3. Proud tongue (Psm. 12:3)

4. Lying tongue (Psm. 109:2; Prov. 6:17)

5. Deceitful tongue (Psm. 120:2)

6. False tongue (Psm. 120:3)

7. Froward tongue (Prov. 10:31)

8. Wholesome tongue (Prov. 10:31)

9. Healthy tongue (Prov. 12:18)

10. Naughty tongue (Prov. 17:4)

11. Perverse tongue (Prov. 17:20)

12. Soft tongue (Prov. 25:15)

13. Stammering tongue (Isa. 28:11; 33:19)

14. Backbiting tongue (Prov. 25:23)

15. Poison tongue (Jas. 3:8)

The only way that any of us can speak pure words is with a heart, mouth, and tongue dedicated to God. Let Jesus wash your heart in the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ), and speak pure words from a pure heart.

No one can tame the tongue because it is a restless evil, an unruly, unsteady, staggering, reeling evil (like the “unstable” man of Jas. 1:8). Worse yet, the tongue is full of deadly poison (cf. Psm. 140:3). Like the poison of a serpent, the tongue is loaded with the venom of hate and death-dealing gossip.

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Jas 3:9

Therewith bless we… It was traditional for Jews to add “blessed be He”, to a mention of God’s name (Psm. 68:19, 35). However, the tongue also wishes evil on people made in God’s image. This points out the hypocritical inconsistency of the tongue’s activities.

after the similitude... Greek: homoiosis, making like; image. Only here, but in the Septuagint in Gen. 1:26; Eze. 1:10; Dan. 10:16; etc. This refers to outward or physical image.

Man was made in God’s image.

James explains that man is made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26, 27; 5:1), so to curse people and yet bless God is inconsistent. Though the fall of mankind has marred that image or likeness, James teaches that it still exists (as do Gen. 9:6 and 1 Cor. 11:7).

How can this be? We know that a pure heart speaks beauty to all, not just to God. In our society, we would call this two-faced. Jesus gave two commandments that covered all.

Mark 12:30-31 “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment.” “And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”

Matthew 22:40 “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

It is an impossibility to love God and hate His creation.