17 But G1161 the wisdom G4678 that is from above G509 is G2076 first G4412 pure, G3303 G53 then G1899 peaceable, G1516 gentle, G1933 and easy to be intreated, G2138 full G3324 of mercy G1656 and G2532 good G18 fruits, G2590 without partiality, G87 and G2532 without hypocrisy. G505
Every G3956 good G18 gift G1394 and G2532 every G3956 perfect G5046 gift G1434 is G2076 from above, G509 and cometh down G2597 from G575 the Father G3962 of lights, G5457 with G3844 whom G3739 is G1762 no G3756 variableness, G3883 neither G2228 shadow G644 of turning. G5157
Howbeit G1161 we speak G2980 wisdom G4678 among G1722 them that are perfect: G5046 yet G1161 not G3756 the wisdom G4678 of this G5127 world, G165 nor G3761 of the princes G758 of this G5127 world, G165 that come to nought: G2673 But G235 we speak G2980 the wisdom G4678 of God G2316 in G1722 a mystery, G3466 even the hidden G613 wisdom, which G3739 God G2316 ordained G4309 before G4253 the world G165 unto G1519 our G2257 glory: G1391
And G2532 every man G3956 that hath G2192 this G5026 hope G1680 in G1909 him G846 purifieth G48 himself, G1438 even as G2531 he G1565 is G2076 pure. G53
Charity G26 suffereth long, G3114 and is kind; G5541 charity G26 envieth G2206 not; G3756 charity G26 vaunteth G4068 not G3756 itself, G4068 is G5448 not G3756 puffed up, G5448 Doth G807 not G3756 behave itself unseemly, G807 seeketh G2212 not G3756 her own, G1438 is G3947 not G3756 easily provoked, G3947 thinketh G3049 no G3756 evil; G2556 Rejoiceth G5463 not G3756 in G1909 iniquity, G93 but G1161 rejoiceth G4796 in the truth; G225 Beareth G4722 all things, G3956 believeth G4100 all things, G3956 hopeth G1679 all things, G3956 endureth G5278 all things. G3956
To speak evil of G987 no man, G3367 to be G1511 no brawlers, G269 but gentle, G1933 shewing G1731 all G3956 meekness G4236 unto G4314 all G3956 men. G444
And unto man H120 he said, H559 Behold, the fear H3374 of the Lord, H136 that is wisdom; H2451 and to depart H5493 from evil H7451 is understanding. H998
And the spirit H7307 of the LORD H3068 shall rest H5117 upon him, the spirit H7307 of wisdom H2451 and understanding, H998 the spirit H7307 of counsel H6098 and might, H1369 the spirit H7307 of knowledge H1847 and of the fear H3374 of the LORD; H3068 And shall make him of quick understanding H7306 in the fear H3374 of the LORD: H3068 and he shall not judge H8199 after the sight H4758 of his eyes, H5869 neither reprove H3198 after the hearing H4926 of his ears: H241 But with righteousness H6664 shall he judge H8199 the poor, H1800 and reprove H3198 with equity H4334 for the meek H6035 of the earth: H776 and he shall smite H5221 the earth H776 with the rod H7626 of his mouth, H6310 and with the breath H7307 of his lips H8193 shall he slay H4191 the wicked. H7563 And righteousness H6664 shall be the girdle H232 of his loins, H4975 and faithfulness H530 the girdle H232 of his reins. H2504 The wolf H2061 also shall dwell H1481 with the lamb, H3532 and the leopard H5246 shall lie down H7257 with the kid; H1423 and the calf H5695 and the young lion H3715 and the fatling H4806 together; H3162 and a little H6996 child H5288 shall lead H5090 them. And the cow H6510 and the bear H1677 shall feed; H7462 their young ones H3206 shall lie down H7257 together: H3162 and the lion H738 shall eat H398 straw H8401 like the ox. H1241 And the sucking child H3243 shall play H8173 on the hole H2352 of the asp, H6620 and the weaned child H1580 shall put H1911 his hand H3027 on the cockatrice' H6848 den. H3975 They shall not hurt H7489 nor destroy H7843 in all my holy H6944 mountain: H2022 for the earth H776 shall be full H4390 of the knowledge H1844 of the LORD, H3068 as the waters H4325 cover H3680 the sea. H3220
Until the spirit H7307 be poured H6168 upon us from on high, H4791 and the wilderness H4057 be a fruitful field, H3759 and the fruitful field H3759 be counted H2803 for a forest. H3293 Then judgment H4941 shall dwell H7931 in the wilderness, H4057 and righteousness H6666 remain H3427 in the fruitful field. H3759 And the work H4639 of righteousness H6666 shall be peace; H7965 and the effect H5656 of righteousness H6666 quietness H8252 and assurance H983 for H5704 ever. H5769
That ye G5209 might walk G4043 worthy G516 of the Lord G2962 unto G1519 all G3956 pleasing, G699 being fruitful G2592 in G1722 every G3956 good G18 work, G2041 and G2532 increasing G837 in G1519 the knowledge G1922 of God; G2316
Now G1161 no G3956 G3756 chastening G3809 for G4314 G3303 the present G3918 seemeth G1380 to be G1511 joyous, G5479 but G235 grievous: G3077 nevertheless G1161 afterward G5305 it yieldeth G591 the peaceable G1516 fruit G2590 of righteousness G1343 unto them which are exercised G1128 thereby. G1223 G846
This G3778 wisdom G4678 descendeth G2076 G2718 not G3756 from above, G509 but G235 is earthly, G1919 sensual, G5591 devilish. G1141
My G3450 little children, G5040 let us G25 not G3361 love G25 in word, G3056 neither G3366 in tongue; G1100 but G235 in deed G2041 and G2532 in truth. G225
And G1161 the servant G1401 of the Lord G2962 must G1163 not G3756 strive; G3164 but G235 be G1511 gentle G2261 unto G4314 all G3956 men, apt to teach, G1317 patient, G420
I charge G1263 thee before G1799 God, G2316 and G2532 the Lord G2962 Jesus G2424 Christ, G5547 and G2532 the elect G1588 angels, G32 that G2443 thou observe G5442 these things G5023 without G5565 preferring one before another, G4299 doing G4160 nothing G3367 by G2596 partiality. G4346
Finally, G3063 brethren, G80 whatsoever things G3745 are G2076 true, G227 whatsoever things G3745 are honest, G4586 whatsoever things G3745 are just, G1342 whatsoever things G3745 are pure, G53 whatsoever things G3745 are lovely, G4375 whatsoever things G3745 are of good report; G2163 if there be any G1536 virtue, G703 and G2532 if there be any G1536 praise, G1868 think G3049 on these things. G5023
And Moses H4872 called H7121 Bezaleel H1212 and Aholiab, H171 and every wise H2450 hearted H3820 man, H376 in whose heart H3820 the LORD H3068 had put H5414 wisdom, H2451 even every one whose heart H3820 stirred him up H5375 to come H7126 unto the work H4399 to do H6213 it:
And all Israel H3478 heard H8085 of the judgment H4941 which the king H4428 had judged; H8199 and they feared H3372 the king: H6440 for they saw H7200 that the wisdom H2451 of God H430 was in him, H7130 to do H6213 judgment. H4941
Behold, a son H1121 shall be born H3205 to thee, who shall be a man H376 of rest; H4496 and I will give him rest H5117 from all his enemies H341 round about: H5439 for his name H8034 shall be Solomon, H8010 and I will give H5414 peace H7965 and quietness H8253 unto Israel H3478 in his days. H3117
But where H370 shall wisdom H2451 be found? H4672 and where is the place H4725 of understanding? H998
And he shall judge H8199 among the nations, H1471 and shall rebuke H3198 many H7227 people: H5971 and they shall beat H3807 their swords H2719 into plowshares, H855 and their spears H2595 into pruninghooks: H4211 nation H1471 shall not lift up H5375 sword H2719 against nation, H1471 neither shall they learn H3925 war H4421 any more.
For unto us a child H3206 is born, H3205 unto us a son H1121 is given: H5414 and the government H4951 shall be upon his shoulder: H7926 and his name H8034 shall be called H7121 Wonderful, H6382 Counsellor, H3289 The mighty H1368 God, H410 The everlasting H5703 Father, H1 The Prince H8269 of Peace. H7965 Of the increase H4766 of his government H4951 and peace H7965 there shall be no end, H7093 upon the throne H3678 of David, H1732 and upon his kingdom, H4467 to order H3559 it, and to establish H5582 it with judgment H4941 and with justice H6666 from henceforth even for H5704 ever. H5769 The zeal H7068 of the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 will perform H6213 this.
For the vile person H5036 will speak H1696 villany, H5039 and his heart H3820 will work H6213 iniquity, H205 to practise H6213 hypocrisy, H2612 and to utter H1696 error H8442 against the LORD, H3068 to make empty H7324 the soul H5315 of the hungry, H7457 and he will cause the drink H4945 of the thirsty H6771 to fail. H2637
He shall feed H7462 his flock H5739 like a shepherd: H7462 he shall gather H6908 the lambs H2922 with his arm, H2220 and carry H5375 them in his bosom, H2436 and shall gently lead H5095 those that are with young. H5763
As for these four H702 children, H3206 God H430 gave H5414 them knowledge H4093 and skill H7919 in all learning H5612 and wisdom: H2451 and Daniel H1840 had understanding H995 in all visions H2377 and dreams. H2472
And Pharaoh H6547 said H559 unto his servants, H5650 Can we find H4672 such a one as this H2088 is, a man H376 in whom H834 the Spirit H7307 of God H430 is? And Pharaoh H6547 said H559 unto Joseph, H3130 Forasmuch H310 as God H430 hath shewed H3045 thee all this, there is none so discreet H995 and wise H2450 as thou art:
And he shall sit H3427 as a refiner H6884 and purifier H2891 of silver: H3701 and he shall purify H2891 the sons H1121 of Levi, H3878 and purge H2212 them as gold H2091 and silver, H3701 that they may offer H5066 unto the LORD H3068 an offering H4503 in righteousness. H6666
In G1722 the mean time, G3739 when there were gathered together G1996 an innumerable multitude G3461 of people, G3793 insomuch that G5620 they trode G2662 one upon another, G240 he began G756 to say G3004 unto G4314 his G846 disciples G3101 first of all, G4412 Beware G4337 ye G1438 of G575 the leaven G2219 of the Pharisees, G5330 which G3748 is G2076 hypocrisy. G5272 For G1161 there is G2076 nothing G3762 covered, G4780 that G3739 shall G601 not G3756 be revealed; G601 neither G2532 hid, G2927 that G3739 shall G1097 not G3756 be known. G1097
Now G1161 there was G2258 at G1722 Joppa G2445 a certain G5100 disciple G3102 named G3686 Tabitha, G5000 which G3739 by interpretation G1329 is called G3004 Dorcas: G1393 this woman G3778 G846 was G2258 full G4134 of good G18 works G2041 and G2532 almsdeeds G1654 which G3739 she did. G4160
And G1161 I G1473 myself G846 also G2532 am persuaded G3982 of G4012 you, G5216 my G3450 brethren, G80 that G3754 ye G846 also G2532 are G2075 full G3324 of goodness, G19 filled G4137 with all G3956 knowledge, G1108 able G1410 also G2532 to admonish G3560 one another. G240
For G1063 to one G3739 G3303 is given G1325 by G1223 the Spirit G4151 the word G3056 of wisdom; G4678 G1161 to another G243 the word G3056 of knowledge G1108 by G2596 the same G846 Spirit; G4151
Now G1161 I G1473 Paul G3972 myself G846 beseech G3870 you G5209 by G1223 the meekness G4236 and G2532 gentleness G1932 of Christ, G5547 who G3739 in G2596 presence G4383 am base G3303 G5011 among G1722 you, G5213 but G1161 being absent G548 am bold G2292 toward G1519 you: G5209
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on James 3
Commentary on James 3 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 3
Jas 3:1-18. Danger of Eagerness to Teach, and of an Unbridled Tongue: True Wisdom Shown by Uncontentious Meekness.
1. be not—literally, "become not": taking the office too hastily, and of your own accord.
many—The office is a noble one; but few are fit for it. Few govern the tongue well (Jas 3:2), and only such as can govern it are fit for the office; therefore, "teachers" ought not to be many.
masters—rather, "teachers." The Jews were especially prone to this presumption. The idea that faith (so called) without works (Jas 2:14-26) was all that is required, prompted "many" to set up as "teachers," as has been the case in all ages of the Church. At first all were allowed to teach in turns. Even their inspired gifts did not prevent liability to abuse, as James here implies: much more is this so when self-constituted teachers have no such miraculous gifts.
knowing—as all might know.
we … greater condemnation—James in a humble, conciliatory spirit, includes himself: if we teachers abuse the office, we shall receive greater condemnation than those who are mere hearers (compare Lu 12:42-46). Calvin, like English Version, translates, "masters" that is, self-constituted censors and reprovers of others Jas 4:12 accords with this view.
2. all—The Greek implies "all without exception": even the apostles.
offend not—literally "stumbleth not": is void of offence or "slip" in word: in which respect one is especially tried who sets up to be a "teacher."
3. Behold—The best authorities read, "but if," that is, Now whensoever (in the case) of horses (such is the emphatic position of "horses" in the Greek) we put the bits (so literally, "the customary bits") into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about also their whole body. This is to illustrate how man turns about his whole body with the little tongue. "The same applies to the pen, which is the substitute for the tongue among the absent" [Bengel].
4. Not only animals, but even ships.
the governor listeth—literally, "the impulse of the steersman pleaseth." The feeling which moves the tongue corresponds with this.
5. boasteth great things—There is great moment in what the careless think "little" things [Bengel]. Compare "a world," "the course of nature," "hell," Jas 3:6, which illustrate how the little tongue's great words produce great mischief.
how great a matter a little fire kindleth—The best manuscripts read, "how little a fire kindleth how great a," &c. Alford, for "matter," translates, "forest." But Grotius translates as English Version, "material for burning": a pile of fuel.
6. Translate, "The tongue, that world of iniquity, is a fire." As man's little world is an image of the greater world, the universe, so the tongue is an image of the former [Bengel].
so—omitted in the oldest authorities.
is—literally, "is constituted." "The tongue is (constituted), among the members, the one which defileth," &c. (namely, as fire defiles with its smoke).
course of nature—"the orb (cycle) of creation."
setteth on fire … is set on fire—habitually and continually. While a man inflames others, he passes out of his own power, being consumed in the flame himself.
of hell—that is, of the devil. Greek, "Gehenna"; found here only and in Mt 5:22. James has much in common with the Sermon on the Mount (Pr 16:27).
7. every kind—rather, "every nature" (that is, natural disposition and characteristic power).
of beasts—that is, quadrupeds of every disposition; as distinguished from the three other classes of creation, "birds, creeping things (the Greek includes not merely 'serpents,' as English Version), and things in the sea."
is tamed, and hath been—is continually being tamed, and hath been so long ago.
of mankind—rather, "by the nature of man": man's characteristic power taming that of the inferior animals. The dative in the Greek may imply, "Hath suffered itself to be brought into tame subjection TO the nature of men." So it shall be in the millennial world; even now man, by gentle firmness, may tame the inferior animal, and even elevate its nature.
8. no man—literally, "no one of men": neither can a man control his neighbor's, nor even his own tongue. Hence the truth of Jas 3:2 appears.
unruly evil—The Greek, implies that it is at once restless and incapable of restraint. Nay, though nature has hedged it in with a double barrier of the lips and teeth, it bursts from its barriers to assail and ruin men [Estius].
deadly—literally, "death-bearing."
9. God—The oldest authorities read, "Lord." "Him who is Lord and Father." The uncommonness of the application of "Lord" to the Father, doubtless caused the change in modern texts to "God" (Jas 1:27). But as Messiah is called "Father," Isa 9:6, so God the Father is called by the Son's title, "Lord": showing the unity of the Godhead. "Father" implies His paternal love; "Lord," His dominion.
men, which—not "men who"; for what is meant is not particular men, but men genetically [Alford].
are made after … similitude of God—Though in a great measure man has lost the likeness of God in which he was originally made, yet enough of it still remains to show what once it was, and what in regenerated and restored man it shall be. We ought to reverence this remnant and earnest of what man shall be in ourselves and in others. "Absalom has fallen from his father's favor, but the people still recognize him to be the king's son" [Bengel]. Man resembles in humanity the Son of man, "the express image of His person" (Heb 1:3), compare Ge 1:26; 1Jo 4:20. In the passage, Ge 1:26, "image" and "likeness" are distinct: "image," according to the Alexandrians, was something in which men were created, being common to all, and continuing to man after the fall, while the "likeness" was something toward which man was created, to strive after and attain it: the former marks man's physical and intellectual, the latter his moral pre-eminence.
10. The tongue, says ÆSOP, is at once the best and the worst of things. So in a fable, a man with the same breath blows hot and cold. "Life and death are in the power of the tongue" (compare Ps 62:4).
brethren—an appeal to their consciences by their brotherhood in Christ.
ought not so to be—a mild appeal, leaving it to themselves to understand that such conduct deserves the most severe reprobation.
11. fountain—an image of the heart: as the aperture (so the Greek for "place" is literally) of the fountain is an image of man's mouth. The image here is appropriate to the scene of the Epistle, Palestine, wherein salt and bitter springs are found. Though "sweet" springs are sometimes found near, yet "sweet and bitter" (water) do not flow "at the same place" (aperture). Grace can make the same mouth that "sent forth the bitter" once, send forth the sweet for the time to come: as the wood (typical of Christ's cross) changed Marah's bitter water into sweet.
12. Transition from the mouth to the heart.
Can the fig tree, &c.—implying that it is an impossibility: as before in Jas 3:10 he had said it "ought not so to be." James does not, as Matthew (Mt 7:16, 17), make the question, "Do men gather figs of thistles?" His argument is, No tree "can" bring forth fruit inconsistent with its nature, as for example, the fig tree, olive berries: so if a man speaks bitterly, and afterwards speaks good words, the latter must be so only seemingly, and in hypocrisy, they cannot be real.
so can no fountain … salt … and fresh—The oldest authorities read, "Neither can a salt (water spring) yield fresh." So the mouth that emits cursing, cannot really emit also blessing.
13. Who—(Compare Ps 34:12, 13). All wish to appear "wise": few are so.
show—"by works," and not merely by profession, referring to Jas 2:18.
out of a good conversation his works—by general "good conduct" manifested in particular "works." "Wisdom" and "knowledge," without these being "shown," are as dead as faith would be without works [Alford].
with meekness of wisdom—with the meekness inseparable from true "wisdom."
14. if ye have—as is the case (this is implied in the Greek indicative).
bitter—Eph 4:31, "bitterness."
envying—rather, "emulation," or literally, "zeal": kindly, generous emulation, or zeal, is not condemned, but that which is "bitter" [Bengel].
strife—rather, "rivalry."
in your hearts—from which flow your words and deeds, as from a fountain.
glory not, and lie not against the truth—To boast of your wisdom is virtually a lying against the truth (the gospel), while your lives belie your glorying. Jas 3:15; Jas 1:18, "The word of truth." Ro 2:17, 23, speaks similarly of the same contentious Jewish Christians.
15. This wisdom—in which ye "glory," as if ye were "wise" (Jas 3:13, 14).
descendeth not from above—literally, "is not one descending," &c.: "from the Father of lights" (true illumination and wisdom), Jas 1:17; through "the Spirit of truth," Joh 15:26.
earthly—opposed to heavenly. Distinct from "earthy," 1Co 15:47. Earthly is what is IN the earth; earthy, what is of the earth.
sensual—literally, "animal-like": the wisdom of the "natural" (the same Greek) man, not born again of God; "not having the Spirit" (Jude 19).
devilish—in its origin (from "hell," Jas 3:6; not from God, the Giver of true wisdom, Jas 1:5), and also in its character, which accords with its origin. Earthly, sensual, and devilish, answer to the three spiritual foes of man, the world, the flesh, and the devil.
16. envying—So English Version translates the Greek, which usually means "zeal"; "emulation," in Ro 13:13. "The envious man stands in his own light. He thinks his candle cannot shine in the presence of another's sun. He aims directly at men, obliquely at God, who makes men to differ."
strife—rivalry [Alford].
confusion—literally, "tumultuous anarchy": both in society (translated "commotions," Lu 21:9; "tumults," 2Co 6:5), and in the individual mind; in contrast to the "peaceable" composure of true "wisdom," Jas 3:17. James does not honor such effects of this earthly wisdom with the name "fruit," as he does in the case of the wisdom from above. Jas 3:18; compare Ga 5:19-22, "works of the flesh … fruit of the Spirit."
17. first pure—literally, "chaste," "sanctified": pure from all that is "earthly, sensual (animal), devilish" (Jas 3:15). This is put, "first of all," before "peaceable" because there is an unholy peace with the world which makes no distinction between clean and unclean. Compare "undefiled" and "unspotted from the world," Jas 1:27; 4:4, 8, "purify … hearts"; 1Pe 1:22, "purified … souls" (the same Greek). Ministers must not preach before a purifying change of heart, "Peace," where there is no peace. Seven (the perfect number) characteristic peculiarities of true wisdom are enumerated. Purity or sanctity is put first because it has respect both to God and to ourselves; the six that follow regard our fellow men. Our first concern is to have in ourselves sanctity; our second, to be at peace with men.
gentle—"forbearing"; making allowances for others; lenient towards neighbors, as to the DUTIES they owe us.
easy to be entreated—literally, "easily persuaded," tractable; not harsh as to a neighbor's FAULTS.
full of mercy—as to a neighbor's MISERIES.
good fruits—contrasted with "every evil work," Jas 3:16.
without partiality—recurring to the warning against partial "respect to persons," Jas 2:1, 4, 9. Alford translates as the Greek is translated, Jas 1:6, "wavering," "without doubting." But thus there would be an epithet referring to one's self inserted amidst those referring to one's conduct towards others. English Version is therefore better.
without hypocrisy—Not as Alford explains from Jas 1:22, 26, "Without deceiving yourselves" with the name without the reality of religion. For it must refer, like the rest of the six epithets, to our relations to others; our peaceableness and mercy towards others must be "without dissimulation."
18. "The peaceable fruit of righteousness." He says "righteousness"; because it is itself the true wisdom. As in the case of the earthly wisdom, after the characteristic description came its results; so in this verse, in the case of the heavenly wisdom. There the results were present; here, future.
fruit … sown—Compare Ps 97:11; Isa 61:3, "trees of righteousness." Anticipatory, that is, the seed whose "fruit," namely, "righteousness," shall be ultimately reaped, is now "sown in peace." "Righteousness," now in germ, when fully developed as "fruit" shall be itself the everlasting reward of the righteous. As "sowing in peace" (compare "sown in dishonor," 1Co 15:43) produces the "fruit of righteousness," so conversely "the work" and "effect of righteousness" is "peace."
of them that make peace—"by (implying also that it is for them, and to their good) them that work peace." They, and they alone, are "blessed." "Peacemakers," not merely they who reconcile others, but who work peace. "Cultivate peace" [Estius]. Those truly wise towards God, while peaceable and tolerant towards their neighbors, yet make it their chief concern to sow righteousness, not cloaking men's sins, but reproving them with such peaceable moderation as to be the physicians, rather than the executioners, of sinners [Calvin].