King James Version

James 2.

The Book of James

Return to IndexHenry's Commentary

Chapter 3

1

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
masters Matt 23:10

2

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.

3

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

4

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.

5

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

6

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.
tongue Matt 15:18
hell Matt 5:22, 29, 30, 10:28, 18:9, 23:15, 33 Mark 9:43 Luke 12:5

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:
tamed Gen 9:2, Hos 2:18

8

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

9

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
similitude Gen 1:27, 1st Cor 11:7, Eph 4:24, Col 3:10

10

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

13

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
conversation

14

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
wisdom 1st Cor 2:6

16

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

James 4

 

 

Notes on Chapter 3

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6

(a) "hell" = gehenna
See notes at Matt 5:22
Return to Verse 6

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13

(a) conversation = behavior
Strongs #391 "anastrophe" from Strongs #390 "anastrepho" - to overturn, also to return; by impl. to busy oneself, i.e. remain, live: - abide, behave self
Return to Verse 13

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