James 3 KJV
Taming the Tongue
James Chapter 3: Taming the Tongue
This chapter explores themes of Wisdom. James adapts Stoic and Philonic imagery of the horse's bit and ship's rudder to portray the tongue's outsized influence, yet reframes these Greek philosophical commonplaces within a Jewish-Christian call to divine wisdom rather than mere human self-mastery.
1y brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
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 horsesโ 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Did You Know?
James adapts Stoic and Philonic imagery of the horse's bit and ship's rudder to portray the tongue's outsized influence, yet reframes these Greek philosophical commonplaces within a Jewish-Christian call to divine wisdom rather than mere human self-mastery.
The claim that every kind of beast, bird, serpent, and sea creature has been tamed by mankind directly echoes and subverts the Genesis 1:26 dominion mandate, underscoring humanity's paradoxical inability to govern its own speech.
Verse 6's phrase 'a world of iniquity' for the tongue evokes the 'olam' concept of a self-contained moral cosmos, suggesting that uncontrolled speech creates an entire alternative order opposed to God's kingdom.
The abrupt shift from the tongue's untamability (v. 8) to the two kinds of wisdom (vv. 13-18) implies that only 'wisdom from above' can achieve what human effort cannot, linking speech ethics to the epistle's larger theme of faith made perfect through divine gift.
James 3:1's warning of stricter judgment for teachers quietly alludes to the Jewish scribal tradition of accountability for spoken or written words, positioning the epistle's audience of Jewish Christians within a continuity of Torah sages now accountable for gospel instruction.
Commentary & Study Notes Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871) ยท Public Domain be not โ literally, "become not": taking the office too hastily, and of your own accord. many โ The office is a noble one; but few are fit for it. Few govern the tongue well (Jas 3โฆ
Classic verse-by-verse commentary on James 3 from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (1871). Covers: Danger of eagerness to teach, and of an unbridled tongue: true wisdom shown by uncontentious meekness.
- 1
- be not โ literally, "become not": taking the office too hastily, and of your own accord. many โ 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 โ 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 โ as all might know. we... greater condemnation โ 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 โ The Greek implies "all without exception": even the apostles. offend not โ 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."
Read all 19 notes on James 3 โ