text. . The wisdom that is from above is peaceable. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. Temptations elsewhere mean trials, not inward solicitations of evil; they have no bearing upon, nor connection with, the evil nature, but on the contrary are the ways in which the Lord out of His love tries those in whom He has confidence, and works for the greater blessing of those whom He has already blessed. Then peaceable - The effect of true religion - the wisdom which is from above - will be to dispose a man to live in peace with all others. WebJames 3 He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. "It is the nature of man to sin both in private and in public life," said Thucydides (3: 45). WebJames 3:3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. So James says that if we can control the tongue, we can control the whole body; but if the tongue is uncontrolled, the whole life is set on the wrong way. Observe here, True wisdom is God's gift. His argument runs like this: "Is there any of you who wishes to be a real sage and a real teacher? Now it is clear that the trial of faith is as precious as it is profitable; and of this exclusively he has been speaking up to this point. James 3 It is extremely frustrating to speak to a "religious know-it-all." (ii) There is no sin into which it is easier to fall and none which has graver consequences than the sin of the tongue. The object of the Spirit of God was to give a final summons by him who held a pre-eminent place in Jerusalem to the entire body of Israelites, wherever they might be. But there is a very narrow dividing line between noble emulation and ignoble envy. In Psalms 12:6, David says, "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." (iv) It is arrogant. WebJames 3:17-18. If an individual is accidentally injured, he often sues the unfortunate party for millions. "Let him ask in faith," says he, "nothing wavering. It is perfectly plain from the early portion of the Acts of the Apostles, and confirmed too by the latest glimpses which the Holy Ghost gives us of the church in Jerusalem, that there was still a great and decided cleaving to that which was properly Jewish on the part of the early Christians there. The passage speaks of practice, not of doctrine. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. This word "pure" (hagne) is closely related to the word "holy" (hagios). Opening. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring." Boasteth great things. For if we merely look at Abraham, or at Rahab, apart from God, apart from faith, if we regard their ways here cited as a question of human good works who in the world would ever so style that which Abraham or Rahab did? Then it came to mean any work done for pay. It has not at all the character of resisting the will of the child, but rather of directing his affections in the will of the object dearest to him. (iii) It is devilish. Now one who is the servant of God looks up to God, confides in God, and expects from God. 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." Here he looks at sin in the conduct, and accordingly there are evil workings within, and then the outward act of sin. James is not for a moment saying that silence is better than speech. It was desperately easy for a Rabbi to become the kind of person whom Jesus depicted, a spiritual tyrant, an ostentatious ornament of piety, a lover of the highest place at any function, a person who gloried in the almost subservient respect showed to him in public ( Matthew 23:4-7). Behold, we put bits in the horse's mouth, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body with that bit. 21, James (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. But when certain Jewish Christians come down from Jerusalem, he separates himself from these Gentile Christians "fearing them which were of the circumcision." This is a critical time as far as the unity of the church is concerned. Web3:13-18 These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. It is unlikely that James knew anything about Orphic reincarnation. The gospel writers often portray Jesus as looking upon the crowds with compassion (Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 20:34). By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. It is not the salutation that the Epistles of Paul and the other apostles have made so familiar to us, but exactly the form of salutation that was used in the famous epistle of Acts 15:1-41 from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem, who wrote to the Gentile assemblies to guard them from yielding to legalism. Now he just turns aside to notice the other; and it is the more important to weigh it well because, as far as I know, it is the only place in scripture where it is definitely presented. They were not to reckon trial a grievance. It is always the every-day application that is in the mind of James. (iii) The wheel is circular; it is always turning back upon itself in exactly the same circle; therefore, the wheel came to stand for the cyclical repetition of life, the weary round of an existence which is ever repeating itself without advancing. James 3:17 from above; NET NOTE. We have the glorying of those taken away who are of a contrary character to that now mentioned, and their wisdom exposed in all its boasts and productions: "If you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, c., James 3:14-16; James 3:14-16. Then follows a grave and searching consideration for those who talk about the law, "for whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Gentle . It means easily persuaded, compliant. There are two dangers which every teacher must avoid. It is full of mercy and good deeds. Now this ought not to be. It is not gained by conversing with men, nor by the knowledge of the world (as some think and speak), but it comes from above. But, on the other hand, James is far from leaving out the use of the law: we shall find it in this very epistle. Nor do I deny that there are answers to prayer of a very striking kind. His instrument is speech and his agent the tongue. how often a blessing has been given, and as often lost, being turned to His shame and men's corruption. "Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. The inspiring Spirit, even in the most peculiar production of the New Testament epistles, gives us what harmonizes with every other part, and cements the whole fabric of divine truth. There were some who tried to teach before they themselves knew anything ( 1 Timothy 1:6-7); and others who pandered to the false desires of the crowd ( 2 Timothy 4:3). - MSB, easy to be entreated -- literally, easily persuaded, tractable; not harsh as to a neighbors FAULTS. Israel was destroyed because of her lack of fruit (Matthew 21:43). He exhorts them to endurance and to patience. The Israelites no doubt found it hard, but the Spirit of God deigns here to instruct them. He begins his list Adam This Sundays passage involves one of the more peculiar passages in the New Testament. WebJames 3, Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible, James Burton Coffman's commentary on the Bible is widely regarded for its thorough analysis of the text and practical application "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Here, for instance, we have the righteousness of God clearly in a different sense from that so familiar to us in the Pauline epistles. It is not only that the nature of man expresses itself in the tongue, but in the feelings of the heart; and alas! Matthew Arnold called it sweet reasonableness and it is the ability to extend to others the kindly consideration we would wish to receive ourselves. (Barclay), iv. CHAPITRE 17 A REPHIDIM _1. For the wisdom that comes from God has such marvelous characteristics, it's pure, it's peaceable it's gentle, easily intreated. James writes then after this double manner. Lie not thus against the truth." "Is any among you sick? So don't be many masters knowing that we will receive the greater condemnation. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. As in the previous chapters, James began his discussion of human speech with a practical exhortation and continued to deal with increasingly basic issues. Thus it has been often and very aptly described as a loving parent who tells his child that he must go here or there; that is, the very places which he knows perfectly the child would be most gratified to visit. knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation ( James 3:1 ). Wisdom from Above: Lesson from James 3:17-18 - the Moorings A man can ward off a blow with the hand, for the striker must be in his presence. Sir Thomas Browne has a passage on the savagery of scholars to each other: "Scholars are men of peace, they bear no arms, but their tongues are sharper than Actius' razor; their pens carry farther, and give a louder report than thunder: I had rather stand the shock of a basilisco, than the fury of a merciless pen." But it is here, as is the case everywhere, blindness and ignorance in those that set one part of scripture against another. Thus we see it is only, to say the least of it, a very great want of perception, and a dulness that certainly is unworthy nay, worthy of any person that sets up to judge the word of God a shameful position for a creature for a man above all for a Christian to take. the very fire of hell. "Blessed is the man who has not slipped with his mouth" ( Sir_14:1 ). Enduring Word Bible Commentary James Chapter 3 without hypocrisy; either with respect to God or man; not making show of that which they have not, or do not intend. This same word is used as one of the qualifications of the elder (1 Timothy 3:3). (i) The tongue, says the Revised Standard Version is an unrighteous world. Without dissimulation; without pretending to be what it is not; acting always in its own character; never working under a mask. Abstention from anything is never a complete substitute for control in its use. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1950), p. 45. We have seen this already, and so therefore, the grand principle of the first chapter leads as simply as possible into the application of it in the second. (i) It is earthly. He knows how to make allowances, when not to stand upon his rights, how to temper justice with mercy, always remembers that there are greater things in the world than rules and regulations. This is evident on the face of it. Observe he does not speak of himself as the brother of the Lord, although he was, and is so styled "the Lord's brother" in the epistle to the Galatians. This wisdom is gentle: The man who is epieikes is the man who knows when it is actually wrong to apply the strict letter of the law. From this use of these two things, that is, the royal law which thus goes forth towards one's neighbour, and again the law in general, he turns to take up the law of liberty which has been explained before. (See Luke 16:1-31) Accordingly their hatred grew until it resulted in the cross of the Lord; and hence this is one of the elements, though of course not the only one, which calls down the judgment of God; and the Spirit of God so treats it here: "Ye have killed the just." "Do not err, beloved brethren. When Christians enjoy receiving the praise of men for doing their Christian duties, they are in danger of hypocrisy (Matthew 6:2; Matthew 6:5; Matthew 6:16). But the true wisdom at all times brings men closer to one another and to God. Then, let it be repeated, it is not merely good we see here, but a communication of His own spiritual nature; and this He is doing by the word of truth. Here we open with its application in another and, if possible, still more important province; that is, in the matter of speaking to public edification. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. James Good fruits Each temper and disposition producing fruits suited to and descriptive of its nature. It is full of mercy in that it is actively sympathetic to the needy, and it is full of good fruits (good works). (i) He is under the temptation to arrogance. He who realises with God what this world is, and what man's nature is, is humble before Him; as also more grace is given to such. ], 3. Clearly he has God in view, and has His word before him, and that which would make His word understood. It is the word of God which directs a man begotten by the word of truth, urging and cheering and strengthening him in the very things that the new life delights in. "A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire," says the writer of the Proverbs ( Proverbs 16:27). ( James 3:2-5 ). This passage should not be applied, as it often is, to the doctrines of religion, as if it were the first duty of a church to keep itself free from errors in doctrine, and that this ought to be sought even in preference to the maintenance of peace - as if it meant that in doctrine a church should be first pure, then peaceable; but it should be applied to the individual consciences of men, as showing the effect of religion on the heart and life. 3:5b-6 See how great a forest how little a fire can set alight. - MSB, peaceable -- This is the Greek term eirene. The picture of the tongue as a fire is also a common Jewish picture. This is not the way in which the apostle Paul handles the matter. James urges these individuals to exhibit these characteristics of wisdom in their daily walk. It appears to me that so far from his being at liberty to refuse this, he is on the contrary guilty, through ignorance, of no small sin in cavilling about the matter. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners." (ii) It is characteristic of the natural man. (Mark 6:1-56) And so here the elders were to act in the same remarkable style. The New Testament often uses the word "fruit" to indicate the good works that should come with faith. One of the Itala has it irreprehensible. The traditions of Protestants and Evangelicals are no better than those of Roman Catholics, any more than of Jews who were before them all. Let us then endeavour to profit by the warning, and above all by the precious lesson in the word of our God. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Is first pure . Whoso hearkeneth unto it shall, never find rest and never dwell quietly, neither shall he have a, friend in whom he may repose. This we know was an old custom. For believers, it defines obedience to Gods standards (cf. It comes not from God but from Satan, and results in wrong actions. It is pure, without mixture of maxims or aims that would debase it: and it is free from iniquity and defilements, not allowing of any known sin, but studious of holiness both in heart and life. - ESVSB, first pure -- literally, chaste, sanctified: pure from all that is earthly, sensual (animal), devilish (James 3:15). James 3 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" Can faith save?" There must be no attempts to reach peace by overleaping purity. v. This wisdom is full of mercy: It does not judge others strictly on the basis of the law, but will extend a generous hand full of mercy. It is James' conviction that nowhere is this contradiction more evident than in the tongue. Again this idea is woven into Jewish thought. It is evident that it cannot. Paul begins his letters by wishing peace upon the readers. Is this then in any way allowing the value of works without faith? Some people are undoubtedly skilful in laying plans and using circumstances to achieve their goals, but their actions are often characterized by jealousy, selfishness and dishonesty. One sin begets another, and it cannot be imagined how much mischief is produced: there is every evil work. Not that any one acquainted with the truth denies that a saved soul has still the flesh in him, and is liable to sin if unwatchful. What has the apostle in view here? At the same time it only confirms, as it appears to me, what has already been shown to be the comprehensive character of the epistle. The word of God is not to be alloyed with human speculations, philosophy and opinions, the word itself taking precedence over everything else. Philip Lilley reminds us that Dr. H. F. Stewart said that the arguments of Pascal with the Jesuits reminded him of Alan Breck's fight with the crew of the Covenant in Stevenson's Kidnapped: "The sword in his hand flashed like quicksilver into the middle of our flying enemies, and at every flash came the scream of a man hurt." The truth it holds is held with unbalanced violence rather than with reasoned conviction. If I only had said it though, I could have saved them so much mental anguish and turmoil. We know how easily "learned discussion can produce passion." James 3 Commentary - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Without making a difference-rendering to every man his due; and being never swayed by self-interest, worldly honour, or the fear of man; knowing no man after the flesh. 3
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