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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE LETTER OF JAMES

CHAPTER THREE:
“Heavenly Wisdom Bridles Unruly Tongue”

[“Wise Teachers”]
Theme Verse: 17

James 3:1-4 – Teachers, Bridles and Rudders

JA3:1 My brothers, not many of you should ever become teachers, 94 knowing that we will receive greater judgment. 95

94

Not many of you should ever become teachers: Or, KJV: masters; MOF: do not crowd in to be teachers. In the early church elders held a variety of offices (or, job descriptions), one of which was “teacher.” Teachers are described as manifestations of the spirit [1 Corinthians 12:8, 28] as well as “gifts in men.” [Ephesians 4:11, 12] Women did not hold the office or position on church teachers. [1 Timothy 2:12] The context and language construct here seems to be limited to men. Elders and overseers were to be men capable of teaching. [Titus 1:9] Men were trained to become teachers. [2 Timothy 2:2] Timothy was encouraged to continue to improve in his teaching ability. [1 Timothy 4:16]

95

Knowing that we will receive greater judgment: Or, KJV: great condemnation; NAS: stricter judgment; MOF: judged with special strictness. James gives a serious warning – including himself in the “we” – to men who would be Christian teachers. Judging from Jesus’ words at Matthew 12:37 every man who wants to be a teacher should weigh his words carefully. He must have studied his material and subject thoroughly and avoid speaking his own opinion when it could be harmful to others. God is willing to judge elders of His own people. [Jeremiah 3:14]

JA3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. 96 If anyone does not stumble in speech, this man is perfect, 97 able to bridle also the whole body. 98

96

We all stumble in many ways: Or, KJV: in many things we offend all; BAS: all go wrong in a number of things; MOF: make many a slip. The reason James gives is human imperfection. An imperfect teacher who has not done his “homework” and speaks on a Biblical subject without having studied the subject carefully harms himself and others. Also, a teacher giving private counsel or advice, and relying on his own opinion, may damage the faith of some who are weak. Remember, there is no person who does not sin. [1 Kings 8:46; Proverbs 20:9] The more words a teacher speaks or writes, the great the opportunity for error. [Proverbs 10:19]

97

This man is perfect: Or, RHM: mature man. James uses the Greek for male or man, ANER, which confirms these teachers are males. When Paul gathers Bible verses to prove that “all have sinned” many of these are in regard to the mouth. [See notes on Romans 3:13, 14.] We may draw the conclusion that Jesus never stumbled in word as the perfect teacher.

98	Able to bridle also the whole body: Or, GDS: able to control his whole body as well. Since most men would admit they are unable to control their whole body, it follows none can perfectly control the tongue [or, pen].

JA3:3 We can put bits in the mouths of horse’s to make them obey and thus we direct their whole body. JA3:4 Observe, also, how great ships driven by hard winds are guided by a very small rudder 99 going wherever the steersman determines according to his own impulse.

99	Guided by a very small rudder: James begins to illustrate his point with several examples regarding the big consequences of the small tongue.

James 3:5-10 – Little Tongue and Big Fires

JA3:5 So, also, the tongue, though a small member, yet it boasts of great things. 100 Observe how a great forest fire is set ablaze by a small flame. 101

100

The tongue, though a small member, yet it boasts of great things: Or, BER: a small organ and can talk big; WMS: boast of great achievements; NEB: makes huge claims. [Psalm 12:4; 18:21] “Tongue” occurs 140 times in the Bible, most often in Psalms and Proverbs. “Mouth” occurs 450 times, most often in Job, Psalms and Proverbs. By introducing the matter of boasting, or bragging, James indicates on of the problems with teachers – they can take themselves too seriously and take credit for things that belong to God.

101	Forest fire is set ablaze by a small flame: James gives more examples of the big problems caused by the small tongue. A single small spark can destroy a great forest. Just so, a word poorly or evilly spoken and spread its harm far and wide.

JA3:6 Also, the tongue is a fire among our members constituting a whole universe of unrighteousness. 102 [The tongue] stains the entire body 103 and sets on fire life’s course, set aflame by Gehenna. 104

102

Tongue is a fire among our members constituting a whole universe of unrighteousness: Or, KJV: a fire, a world of iniquity; NEB: it represents among our members the world with all its wickedness; TCN: a very world of mischief. The tongue and what it speaks is in itself a cosmos of harm, a whole universe full of mistakes. James probably still has in mind the tongue of the teacher – simple words, representing false ideas alien to God, can have world-ranging impact. Consider Satan’s simple sentence to Eve: “You will not die.” [Genesis 3:1-5] Today the majority of earth’s inhabitants wrongly believe in the immortality of the human soul.

103	Stains the entire body: Or, TCN: contaminates the whole body. This idea is straight from Jesus. See notes on Matthew 15:11-18. It is what comes out of the mouth that defiles a person. [Psalm 39:1] Again, the teacher speaking amiss defiles his entirety.

104

Sets on fire life’s course, set aflame by Gehenna: Or, ASV: wheel of nature; RHM: wheel of our natural life; MOF: setting fire to the round circle of existence; MOF: with a flame fed from hell. Translators approach the Greek differently. The literal Greek is, setting aflame the wheel of the birth. The Greek for “wheel” is TROCHOS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5164] is rooted in the idea of running and thus infers the circuit, course, or track around which a runner runs. The image is of something said by a teacher which comes back to haunt, or starts a vicious cycle ever expanding and flamed by Gehenna, or Second Death. Thus, the danger of what is taught by a teacher and the heavier judgment that goes with it.

JA3:7 For every kind of species – both beasts and birds, both reptiles and fish – can be tamed 105 by humankind.

105	Can be tamed: It is a marvel how many varieties of animals, birds, fish, and even insects, can be tamed and then trained. [Genesis 1:28]

JA3:8 However, the tongue – not one human is able to tame. 106 [The tongue] is unrestrained evil, full of death-dealing poison. 107

106	The tongue – not one human is able to tame: Again, the context is the tongue of a teacher and the warning about heavier judgment.

107

[The tongue] is unrestrained evil, full of death-dealing poison: Or, RSV: rest evil; ALF: restless mischief; WMS: an evil incapable of being quieted; MOF: deadly venom. Thus, the “venomous tongue.” See notes on Romans 3:13. The tongue of the false teacher spouts poison which slowly weakens true faith. [Mark 13:22; 1 John 4:1]

JA3:9 With this [tongue] we bless the Sovereign LORD and Father 108 and also with this [same tongue] we curse humans made after God’s image. 109 [Genesis 1:26; 5:1]

108	We bless the Sovereign LORD and Father: Some Greek texts have TON THEON, The God. Or ha’ADHOHN.

109	We curse humans made after God’s image: Or, NEB: we use it to invoke curses upon our fellow-men. Note Shemei’s curse of David. [2 Samuel 16:7] James quotes Genesis 1:26. The Nazarene taught this was a dangerous thing to do. [See notes on Matthew 5:22.]

JA3:10 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is completely wrong for these to happen. 110

110

It is completely wrong for these to happen: Or, KJV: these things ought not so to be; GDS: this is not right; PME: this is the sort of thing that never ought to happen. Despite these imperfections of the tongue, James cautions that cursing fellow worshippers ought not to occur. See notes on Ephesians 4:29.

James 3:11-12 – Lessons From Fountains and Trees

JA3:11 Can both sweet and bitter pour forth from the same fountain? JA3:12 My brothers, is a fig tree able to produce olives? Or, a [grape] vine, figs? Or, can salt make water sweet?

James 3:13-16 – Demonic Wisdom

JA3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? 111 Let that person prove it by good conduct with works done in wisdom’s meekness. 112

111	Who is wise and understanding among you: Or, KJV: who is a wise man and endowed with knowledge; TCN: who among you claims to be wise and intelligent; MOF: who among you is wise and learned. Likely this is directed to those who wanted to be teachers of verse 1.

112

That person prove it by good conduct with works done in wisdom’s meekness: Or, KJV: let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom; ASV: let him show by his good life; WMS: good deeds are done in humility which wisdom prompts. It seems likely James is still referring to certain supposed teachers. If the James is really wise it should be manifest in good conduct and meekness. To James “works” are those of charity. [James 1:27; 2:15, 16] A teacher cannot reason that charity is left to others while he teaches.

JA3:14 However, if you have in your heart bitter jealousy and selfishness, 113 do not boast and continue to lie against the truth. 114

113

In your heart bitter jealousy and selfishness: Or, KJV: bitter envying and strife; ASV: faction; TCN: spirit of rivalry; ABU: party spirit. This “jealousy” is often felt among teachers or elders. It seems James is continuing to focus on those men who would be teachers. Nothing is more destructive to a Christian community than elders [teachers] who fight among themselves. These fights are often the result of jealousy.

114

Do not boast and continue to lie against the truth: KJV: glory not, and lie not against the truth; NAS: arrogant; WMS: stop being proud of it and stop being false to the standard of the truth. This is still directed to those “teachers” of verse 1. There must be some prideful arrogance as well as some falsehoods in their teachings. Compare notes on 1 John 2:21 and 1 John 4:1.

JA3:15 This is not the wisdom which descends from above, 115 but rather, is earthly, animal, demonic. 116

115	The wisdom which descends from above: That is divine, heavenly wisdom. [1 Corinthians 2:7] James is going to characterize two types of “wisdom.”

116

Is earthly, animal, demonic: Literally “animal” is soul-like, soulical. Or, KJV: earthly, sensual, devilish; IB: beastly; PME: even from the devil: NEB: earth-bound, sensual, demonic. The Greek for “soul-like” is PSUCHIKE [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5591] and means “animal.” The “wisdom” from these boasting and arrogant teachers, manifest in jealousy and contentiousness, is classified as having it source in one of three: earthly, animal, demonic, increasingly worse. [1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 John 4:1]

JA3:16 For where there is jealousy and selfishness 117 there is disorder and the practice of every kind of hurt. 118

117

Where there is jealousy and selfishness: Or, KJV: envying and strife; ASV: jealousy and faction; ABU: party spirit; NEB: selfish ambition; PME: rivalry. These teachers are the source of strife and contention among one another. This is what happens when men who are not qualified in knowledge and attitude become teachers. Compare Galatians 5:15, 26.

118

There is disorder and the practice of every kind of hurt: Or, KJV: confusion and every evil work; RHM: anarchy; PME: disharmony. Such false, unqualified teachers are characterized by creating disorder AND harmful behavior. These men are often too liberal and the result is a lower standard of morality in the church. Evil or wickedness is most often something that harms or hurts others.

James 3:17-18 – The Peace of Heavenly Wisdom

JA3:17 In contrast, the wisdom from above is 119 first, pure, 120 then, peace-loving, 121 considerate, 122 yielding, 123 full of mercy 124 and good fruitage, 125 impartial, 126 unhypocritical. 127

119	In contrast, the wisdom from above is: James now contrasts what will characterize true and genuine Christian teachers. [1 Corinthians 2:6]

120	Pure: Or, chaste. Genuine Christian teachers are not immoral nor of questionable virtue. They are “pure.” He must treat the Christian women in a chaste and honorable manner. [1 Timothy 5:2]

121

Peace-loving: Or, KJV: peaceable. The genuine Christian teacher works for the peace of the congregation. He is not adversarial or confrontational though not compromising Gospel Truth. He is not divisive but strives for unity and serenity within the church. [See notes on Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:13; 1 Peter 3:11, 14]

122	Considerate: Or KJV: gentle; RHM: reasonable; MOF: forbearing. The teacher possessed of heavenly wisdom is considerate, thoughtful, and well-disposed.

123

Yielding: Or, KJV: easy to be entreated; MOF: conciliatory; RSV: open to reason; ALF: easily persuaded; GDS: willing to yield; KNX: ready to be convinced. The Christian teacher as an elder must be “reasonable” or yielding when the circumstances call for it. It is in his nature to try and get along and not insist his way is the only way of doing things. [1 Timothy 3:3] This DOES NOT MEAN he is willing to let any doctrine be taught in the Church, that is, “every wind of teaching,” freely moving among the membership. [Ephesians 4:14]

124	Full of mercy: Or, TCN: rich in compassion. It is likely the elder as teacher will also be a judge as was the case in Israel and the early Church. [1 Corinthians 6:2, 5] In judicial matters he must be merciful and understanding. Mercy is also often associated with charity.

125	Good fruitage: Or, KJV: good fruits; TCN: good deeds. To James these are works of charity. However, they would also be rich in fruits of the spirit. [Galatians 5:2, 23]

126	Impartial: Or, KJV: without partiality; MOF: unambiguous. See notes on James 2:9. The idea of impartiality comes up several times in James. The Christian teacher cannot show favoritism. It seems likely the unqualified teachers were not impartial to the rich mentioned earlier.

127

Unhypocritical: Or, KJV: without hypocrisy; AMP: insincerity; MOF: straightforward. The Christian teacher does not play games or carry on hidden agendas. [1 Peter 1:22] There are persons who speak and behave one way when facing you, and another when your back is turned. There are people who are using you without your knowing it.

JA3:18 For righteous fruitage is planted peacefully by those who are peacemakers. 128

128

Righteous fruitage is planted peacefully by those who are peacemakers: Or, KJV: the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace; GDS: the harvest uprightness yields must be sown in peace; WMS: the harvest yields must be sown in peace; GDS: peacemakers; TCN: those who work for peace. The false teachers are in a constant state of creating division. The genuine Christian teacher is characterized by creating peaceful unity because their hearts are peaceful. [Matthew 5:9; 1 Peter 3:11]

Review Questions on Chapter Three

Summary of Chapter Three

Chapter three of James is about teachers. It is a serious responsibility to be a teacher because of the sinful tongue. James explains the problem with the tongue and the difficulty in taming it. He does this as a caution to would be teachers in the Church. It is not proper for the mouth to both bless and curse as some of these may have been doing. He calls forth a challenge to the wise “teachers” in the Church: let him produce the fruitage of wisdom. He characterizes two kinds of wisdom: the first may be earthly, animal, or demonic; the later from heaven is characterized by seven attributes. The earthly, animal, demonic is rooted in jealousy and results in disorder. While the heavenly wisdom results in peace and righteousness.