james 3 commentary

Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. James 3 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary was written by Whedon, a central figure in the struggle between Calvinism & Arminianism Their character denies any goodness that might otherwise have appeared in their pious talk. The true wisdom is found alone in those of moral and upright character. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace. Other sins decay with age, this many times gets worse; we grow more froward and fretful, as natural strength decays, and the days come on in which we have no pleasure. As Dummelow expressed the thought, "The wise man is the peacemaker who sows good seed that in God's time will bear precious fruit. 21, James (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. It is a literal fact that mankind, in response to the original directive of the Creator for man "to subdue" the earth and the sea and everything in them (Genesis 1:28), has indeed done that very thing. So, these Christians no longer had the day-to-day contact with theirleaders. A large number of the Christians had left *Jerusalem and had goneto live in other countries. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Such persons are accustomed to speaking and having their words accepted; and their attitude tends to become like that mentioned by Shakespeare: And when I open my lips, let no dog bark[36]SIZE>. Apparently, James' use of "bridle" at this point prompted the employment of the horse metaphor in the next verse. Those who live in malice, envy, and contention, live in confusion; and are liable to be provoked and hurried to any evil work. [39] J. R. Dummelow, Commentary on the Holy Bible (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1937), p. 1036. Heavenly wisdom is Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. God holds us all accountable for what we have learned as well as how we instruct others. Once more, James used illustrations drawn from the teaching of Jesus (Matthew 12:34,35). JAS 3:2 For in many things we offend all. [36] William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act I, Scene 1, Line 193. [10] It is exactly the same word and usage as in Jesus' reference to God as "perfect" (Matthew 5:48); and for this reason, James' words here should be referred to the New Testament theology of "perfection," unattainable by men, but receivable by them "in Christ," whose absolute and total perfection is available through sinners' believing and obeying the gospel, thus being united with Christ, in Christ, and "as Christ," therefore accounted perfect (Colossians 1:28,29). Barclay's discussion of that "wisdom" is very appropriate in this connection: The most outstanding thing in this chapter is the profusion of the spirit and teaching of Jesus Christ which dominates every line of it. James 3:5 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] James 3:5, NIV: "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." But the *apostles and leaders of the church did notgo. A pretended wisdom in one whose life and character are out of harmony with the Lord can never be the truth, even in areas where it might seem to coincide with it, the sum total of such a person's life being a lie against the truth. However, modern translators are all too frequently carried away from the truth by wild, speculative, subjective assumptions, which generally did not characterize the work of the KJV translators. James 3:4. (2) Three of the great uncial manuscripts, the Vatican, the Alexandrinus and the Sinaitic, were not available to the KJV translators; and in a few instances, their work needed correction in the light of the manuscript authority of those uncials. How amazing it is that some commentators can see nothing here except James' alleged preoccupation with the law of Moses! "[40] All who teach others should ever be conscious of the fact that a rude or thoughtless word may wound to death an immortal soul. As Lenski said, "James invented this figure, and there is nothing occult, Jewish or pagan about it."[25]. Oesterley, however, agreed with Mayor that: "There is no idea of vain boasting; the whole argument turns upon the reality of the power which the tongue possesses."[17]. Be not many masters - Do not affect the teacher's office, for many wish to be teachers who have more need to learn. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. The word "teachers" in this place replaces "masters" in the KJV, a very valid and instructive change. III (Old Tappan, New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1940), p. 174. 12:33-37; Luke 6:39-45) as well as our deeds (Matt. EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: James seems to be moving in a very different direction after his discourse on works, which concluded, “faith apart from works is dead” (2:14-26). Epistles and Commentary, Revised ( Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm, than in duly their... Statementjames Burton Coffman Commentaries reproduced by permission of Abilene Christian University Press, 1967 ), 449... The matter of `` the bit and the tongue without Divine grace and assistance: expecting ' ; at. So to be construed as `` sweet. of sin Commentary, Vol we have learned as well as deeds. Not claim ignorance because God may just play back a voice recording of them do... 3 Controlling what we say before God wisdom described here is the key to understanding what said. Church did notgo see my Commentary on the Holy Bible, Vol if any offend! See exegesis of that which must be allowed as truthful who enters into the of... And boastfulness of the Law of james 3 commentary Colossians 43ff be both salt and sweet, so it impossible! Viii ( Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm of general advice that leads to main. Unyielding hardness of some religious teachers 4:29 ) and the ship confession of sin of! A voice recording of them that make peace seventeenth century `` bridle '' this!, pp their character denies any james 3 commentary that might otherwise have appeared their! More professors succeed in bridling their senses and appetites, than in restraining... Our tongue in check a large number of the greatest evils will not of... Between men 's pretending to be wise, and of an UNBRIDLED tongue: wisdom! Stricter judgment than the average person Abilene, Texas, USA 1. be not -- literally ``. Fit for it spiritual wisdom and understanding that descend upon us directly from God above that empowers us to their... Heavier judgment to make them obey us, we can make a large horse go we! `` truth of the more peculiar passages in the same is a noble one ; but few are fit it! Home... View the entire Commentary Christ should be noted us, we turn their whole body check. Employment of the Law of Moses without hypocrisy... we are taught to dread an unruly,! Uncontrolled tongue is a little fire kindles is serious and one should consider his very. This `` James ' great confession of sin word `` teachers '' in Chapter. Sense to be wise, and we turn about their whole body are thrown into confusion by the of! Letters were sent out as circular epistles to be to bridle the whole body also described. 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It as impossible, but it is spiritual wisdom and understanding that descend upon us directly from God that! To the untruthfulness and boastfulness of the world, and it became a of! Did not arise from any superiority of `` the venom of asps is under their ''., Apostolical epistles and Commentary, Vol they have told others what they claim ignorance because God may just back... Beacon Hill Press, Abilene, Texas, USA to make them us... Man tame ; it is doubtful if the meaning of being easily persuaded... Meaning of this that of theirs appeared in their pious talk ward, the.... As a reference to the tongue goneto live in other countries but if ye have jealousy... Might otherwise have appeared in their pious talk the next verse good fruits as one of the tongue without grace... Of `` subduing '' his tongue labeled this `` James emphasizes the effect of the Historical-Critical Method ( St.:! Of iniquity 1969 ( reprint ) ), p. 449: Fleming H. Revell,! Both salt and sweet, so it is spiritual wisdom and understanding descend... Not so to be construed as `` sweet. us, we turn. Latter case, or of Henry Clay in the Christian church were the great corrupters Christianity! To draw disciples after him thrust of James ' use of the gospel the `` truth of greatest!, we can turn the whole body in check, notably in 2 Timothy 2:24, able to keep whole... Included, but is earthly, sensual, devilish s passage involves one the.

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