Verses 1-2 My 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.
The Greek word translated as “masters” is “didaskalos” and it means a teacher, one who teaches concerning the things of God and the duties of man, or those who by their great power as teachers draw crowds around them i.e. Jesus. James is saying that to be a teacher of the things of God is a great responsibility as they would receive greater judgement from God if they mishandled His word and they would receive greater judgement from people who do not like what they are teaching. To be a master was not something to be entered into lightly. It was/is very easy to offend others with words. The individual who was/is able to use speech wisely and without causing offense was/is perfect.
Verses 3-6 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ 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.
This writer has sailed and has horses so the examples that James uses in the verses above can be related to in a personal, physical manner having been at the helm of a vessel and on the back of a horse. But even if a Christian believer has never been to the sea or to a rodeo or horse show, television programs depicting cowboys with their horses and sailing ships should make it so that these examples can be related to. Without a bit or a rudder, the horse will disappear over the hill and the ship will be cast upon land sooner or later. In other words, disaster will happen. Likewise, when people do not control their tongue or the things that they say, disaster will happen. Friendships are ruined, marriages destroyed, reputations harmed, anger occurs, vindictiveness and retaliation can result, fighting and even wars can be the result of the wrong or incorrect words spoken without thought or control. What an individual lets come forth out of his/her mouth can and will defile the individual and those to whom the speech is directed and will lead to judgement from God.
Application: This writer may have stated this elsewhere in this study, but will repeat this true story here. When attending a Bible believing and teaching church, a family in the church became irritated with the pastor because he did what James has said in this epistle and refused to have respect of persons in the congregation. They wanted special favors from the pastor and he refused. They then started gossip, rumors and a propaganda campaign against the pastor and his family. It became so heated that other members of the congregation had difficulty separating fact from fiction and so began taking sides. This disharmony ended when a “hit man” was hired to assassinate the pastor but was thwarted as a result of God revealing to a visiting evangelist that this man was in the church meeting and that he had a gun intending to do harm. He was escorted off the property by the men of the church and he never returned. There was a church split and 80 members of the church left and went elsewhere and the pastor’s life and the lives of his family were in upheaval for almost a year, all because of sin and the tongue. Then while attending another church congregation, the pastor was removed by the church board due to untrue accusations made by the assistant pastor who wanted the pastor-ship, accusations of drunkenness and sexual impurity. In the first church, God sent new members and restored the 80 who left, and in the second church, God provided for the founding of a new church complete with land and buildings which is still going strong today. But gossip is still rampant in most church settings and it is sin and it causes the LORD sorrow. It also brings Satan and his devils great pleasure. Think about it.
Verses 7-8 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.
At the time of James writing this epistle, he reports that every kind of critter has been tamed by mankind. The Greek word translated as “every” is “pas” and it means every, individually, each, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything, or some of all types. So since every critter does not have access to mankind, the idea is that some critters of all types have been tamed. This writer has found over the years that there is not a critter that cannot be socialized with people if handled with love and commonsense. This writer rescues animals and therefore has had various experiences over the years. From a butterfly, a tarantula, a gopher, a rattle snake to fish, domestic pets, large animals, and wild birds, this writer has experience positive interactions and relationships. All animals and even bugs will learn to relate to people if given the time and opportunity to do so. So James is not exaggerating or incorrect in his statement. And none of the critters, domestic or wild, that this writer has encountered has ever caused hurt, but this writer has encountered many people who have used their tongue to cause hurt. The only way to tame an unruly tongue is to strive to be like Jesus and to ask for His forgiveness and assistance in learning control and wisdom when speaking.
Verses 9-12 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.
The Greek word translated as “bless” is “eulogeo” and it means to praise or celebrate with praises. The Greek word translated as “curse” is “kataraomai” and it means to curse, doom or imprecate (utter or invoke) evil upon or against someone or something.
Application: For James to take so much time and effort to talk about the tongue and the problems that can result because of people not controlling what they say to others indicates that this was something that was affecting the Christian believers regardless of where they had been scattered. And since “there is no new thing under the sun” as stated by King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes, it stands to reason that in today’s church congregations, this is still a problem. But each believer needs to remember that every word spoken will have to be accounted for when standing before Jesus. “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36 Perhaps the words spoken each day need to be less idle and more uplifting and Christ-like. Think about it.
Verses 13-16 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.
The Greek word translated as “wise” is “sophos” and it means wise, skilled, expert, cultivated, learned, teachers, and forming the best plans and using the best means for their execution. The Greek word translated as “endued with knowledge” is “epistemon” and it means intelligent, experienced, or one having the knowledge of an expert. James is asking if there is anyone living amongst them that has these qualities and who can show by example how the believer should conduct himself/herself in a Christ-like manner which is one of gentleness of spirit, of discretion, and with skill in communicating truth. But if a Christian believer has a fierce or angry attitude of the heart, he/she is not behaving in a Christ-like manner but is engaging in sin which is of the flesh, the world or the Devil. As a result of how people feel and think, actions will come forth. If those feelings and thoughts are negative in nature, evil actions will follow.
Verses 17-18 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. (James 3)
The wisdom that comes from obeying the LORD’s commandments and from listening to the prompting of the Holy Ghost/Spirit will always be Christ-like and the Christian believer will want to be, will strive to be, and will be a peacemaker.