From this chapter we will learn that words also fit into the category
of works. In fact, evil words can at times wreck more havoc than
some evil deeds. Barclay notes, "A man can ward off a blow
with the hand, for the striker must be in his presence to strike
him. But a man can drop a malicious word, or repeat a scandalous
and untrue story, about someone whom he does not even know, and
about someone who stays hundreds of miles away, and can cause
infinite damage and harm. The very range the tongue can reach
is the tongue's greatest peril
.Once a word is spoken there
is no getting it back. There is nothing which it is so impossible
to kill as a rumor; there is nothing which it is so impossible
to obliterate as an idle and a malignant story. Let a man, before
he speaks, remember that once a word is spoken it is gone from
his control" (p. 100).
3:1 "Let not many of you become
teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter
judgment".
"Let not many of you"-"The
verb 'be not'
a present middle imperative
signifies
'stop becoming many teachers'(Woods p. 154).
"become teachers"-"Like
so many aspects of life that provide great advantages, however,
communication through speech has its darker side. Sometimes speech
can injure. It can do more harm than good. It can convey wrong
information that can lead to disaster" (Kent p. 113).
Points To Note:
Unfortunately, we tend to make the same mistake. It is easy to
view teaching as an easy job. It is also easy to encourage people
to teach, before they are in fact ready to do so. The same mistakes
can also be made in reference to preaching. We can in fact encourage
men to preach, who shouldn't be preachers. James makes it clear
that while the teacher or preacher simply uses words---words are
very powerful! Adam and Eve fell into sin because they believed
the wrong words, wars have started over words, whole nations have
been destroyed because of a certain ideology. While the teacher
or preacher simply uses words in their trade, let us remember
that the course of history and the eternal destiny of individuals
has been altered by "words". Jesus said, "every
careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account
for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be
justified, and by your words you shall be condemned" (Matthew
12:36-37).
"my brethren"-"There
is no caste system in Christ. Inasmuch as we are all brethren,
it behooves us to conduct ourselves as brethren should" (Woods
p. 157).
"knowing that as such"-That
is, as such teachers. James places himself in the same category
as all other teachers. He wasn't exempt from his own admonitions.
The following information should keep the teacher humble and
on his toes.
"we shall incur a stricter judgment"-"judged
with special strictness" (Mof); "by a more severe standard"
(TCNT).
Points To Note:
3:2 "For we all stumble in many
ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect
man, able to bridle the whole body as well."
"For"-The second reason
for viewing the teachers role most seriously, is that no teacher
is faultless. Even inspired teachers could set the wrong example
or fail to live up to what they were teaching (Galatians 2:11-13).
And non-inspired teachers are clearly not infallible.
"we all stumble in many ways"-"We"
includes all teachers, but also probably meant to include all
Christians. "Stumble"-to err, go astray, sin (2 Peter
1:10). "In many ways"-"in a number of things"
(Bas). There are many areas in which teachers can sin. We can
set the wrong example, our motivation can we selfish (1 Corinthians
13:1-4), we can exaggerate, needlessly offend, gossip and so on.
Note that James includes himself as one who could stumble.
It is clear that Christians, even Christian teachers are not sinless
(1 John 1:8-10). In addition, since all Christians sin, those
who become teachers (a task which has its own pitfalls and temptations),
must be individuals who take upon themselves that task from the
noblest of motives. Woods makes a good point when he says:
"The fact that James includes himself among those who trip
in this manner is no reflection on the inspiration which guarded
his writings from all error. We must ever remember to distinguish
between what the inspired penmen wrote under the direction of
the Holy Spirit and their own personal and individual activity
as a Christian. They had no more protection against the possibility
of sinning---as Christians-than do we" (p. 159). Draper
notes, "If we err once a day, that amounts to 20,000 times
in fifty years" (p. 97).
"If anyone does not stumble in
what he says"-Note, James isn't saying, "If anyone
does not stumble", rather, he is talking about a specific
area, i.e., "in what he says". "If any one sins
not in word" (ABUV).
"he is a perfect man"-Not
sinlessly perfect. The word perfect means, in a ethical and moral
sense, mature, full grown, a well-rounded person (Matthew 5:48;
James 1:4). Kent notes, "Anyone who can master the use of
his tongue, so as not to fall into sin through angry words, misrepresentation,
or falsehood, shows himself to be a mature man
.In the spiritual
life there is always room for further growth, and no one in this
life reaches a state of sinlessness. Nevertheless, Scripture
does speak of a level of maturity that is attainable and is expected
of each believer (Philippians 3:15; Hebrews 5:12; 2 Peter 1:5-11)"
(p. 116). Carefully note that God's measuring stick for spiritual
maturity INCLUDES the use of our tongues. People can memorize
a good amount of Scripture and have a good grasp of many Biblical
truths, and yet have an unbridled tongue (James 1:26).
Points To Note:
What James says here couldn't be more relevant for the church
on the verge of the 21st Century. The effectiveness
of a local congregation can be brought to a stand still by the
misuse of the tongue. We can needlessly turn people off from
the truth by an arrogant presentation. We can be careless in
our examination of certain subjects and create more confusion
than understanding. And we can all be involved in fighting rumors
and chasing gossip instead of converting the lost. We desperately
need Christians who are dedicated to a wise and controlled use
of the tongue.
"able to bridle the whole body
as well"-"bridle"-"hold in check, restrain"
(Thayer p. 664). "Thus the person who knows how to keep
his speech under control reveals that he has sufficient maturity
to control his other activities also" (Kent p. 116).
Points To Note:
3:3 "Now if we put the bits into
the horses' mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire
body as well".
"bits into the horses' mouths"-"In
both illustrations the analogy is between the small size of the
controlling device and the much larger entity that it controls
Although
the horse was well known to James' readers, it was not an animal
possessed by the average man
The average reader of James
would not have thought of a humble plow-horse but a prancing war-horse,
vigorous and high-spirited. This most spirited of beasts, far
larger than a man and with a will of its own, could nevertheless
be controlled through the use of a bit and bridle" (Kent
pp. 117-118).
"we direct their entire body as
well"-The whole body of this powerful and spirited
animal can be directed by a very small device. The illustration,
far from being depressing points out: 1. We can control what
we say, this isn't an impossible task, but it does take maturity!
I cannot control my tongue and remain spiritually immature
at the same time. 2. Controlling what we say and how we say
it can eliminate a good number of future problems. Trying to
live the Christian life or trying to convince others that they
should investigate Christianity is going to be to no avail as
long as we manifest lack of control in our speech. Bridling
the tongue is a concept which is also found in the O.T. (Psalm
39:1).
3:4 "Behold, the ships also, though
they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed
by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot
desires."
"Behold"-There is valuable
lesson here to be learned, "as a call to closer attention,
consideration and contemplation, remember, consider" (Arndt
p. 371).
"the ships also, though they are
so great"-"turning next to the largest inanimate
object that James's contemporaries might attempt to steer
.Some
of them were indeed very large. The Egyptian grain ship on which
Paul was shipwrecked carried 276 passengers in addition to its
cargo (Acts 27:37)" (Kent p. 118)
"still directed by a very small
rudder"-Again, the point is made that something very
small can control something very powerful. Such large ships,
even when in rough weather, could still be steered with precision
by a small rudder.
Points To Note:
3:5 "So also the tongue is a small
part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold,
how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!"
"So also the tongue"-Small,
but very powerful and influential, just like a bit or a rudder.
"yet it boasts of great things"-"but
it can make huge claims" (NEB). Solomon said, "Death
and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21).
The tongue can boast that there is no God (Psalm 14:1), that
man is the measure of all things. The Humanist Manifesto is a
great example of the arrogance that can be displayed by the human
tongue. "But we can discover no divine purpose or providence
for the human species. While there is much that we do not know,
humans are responsible for what we are or will become. No deity
will save us; we must save ourselves" The same could be
said of the boasts and claims of those who support the theory
of Evolution. I remember a statement made by a famous personality
who said that they would rather go to hell than heaven, because
heaven doesn't present any challenges and in hell they can make
things better!
"Behold, how great a forest is
set aflame by such a small fire?"
"These people would have understood this analogy because
the barren, arid land of the desert was covered with scrub trees
and brush. If a fire started, it would sweep across a whole mountainside
before it could be stopped" (Draper p. 102). Forest fires
were frequently mentioned by ancient writers. The tongue can
start a small spark which can inflame and destroy families and
entire congregations. In a matter of days or weeks, a tremendous
amount of good can be destroyed by the misuse of the tongue.
"Its capability of catastrophic destruction far outstrips
its size" (Kent p. 120). See Galatians 5:15. "One
has only to envision a small match, a spark
lighting a fire
which may burn over a whole forest of possibly millions of acres
to grasp the vividness of the illustration" (Roberts p. 128).
Once again, we need to make the point that once we have said
something, we can't control the extent of the comment, we can't
control the damage. Like a forest fire, a bit of gossip or slander
can get completely out of control.
The Old Testament often spoke of the damage caused by the tongue
(Psalm 52:2; 64:3; 140:3; Proverbs 6:19; 12:18; 15:1; 16:27-28
"a slanderer separates intimate friends"; 26:20 "where
there is no whisperer, contention quiets down"; 26:28).
3:6 "And the tongue is a fire,
the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members
as that which defies the entire body, and sets on fire the course
of our life, and is set on fire by hell".
"the tongue is a fire"-That
is, when misused, the tongue is, "his words are as a scorching
fire" (Proverbs 16:27; 26:18-22). The misuse of the tongue
is like a forest fire. It can cause a tremendous amount of damage
in a short period of time, it can start from a very small spark,
just a little piece of gossip. And it can very quickly get completely
out of control.
"the very world of iniquity"-"world"
in the sense of the widespread power of evil. "proves itself
a very world of mischief" (TCNT). 'because of the incalculable
harm which it produces; it is utterly impossible to measure, in
this life, the harm which grows out of the slander, the profanity,
the falsehood, the blasphemy and the scandal of which it is capable"
(Woods p. 164). "The world of iniquity" is very expressive.
Just as we say, 'There is a world of wisdom in that statement'
It
voices every evil feeling and every kind of sinful thought; it
sets in motion and gives concreteness to every kind of sinful
act" (Roberts p. 129). "With the tongue we can profane,
blaspheme, and curse God. With the tongue we can steal, for we
can taken from our neighbor reputation and honor. With the tongue
we can inflict great injury and suffering on those about us.
With our tongue we can reveal infinite passion and lust"
(Draper pp. 102-103). "it curses, rails, teaches false
doctrine and speaks evil of God and man;
.it entices, commands,
terrifies and persuades to commit murder, adulteries, and every
evil work" (Macknight p. 376). (See Romans 1:32 "but
also give hearty approval to those who practice them").
But how often do we try to downplay sins of the tongue? Especially,
our own!
"the tongue is set among our members
as that which defiles the entire body"-we can be condemned
for the misuse of our tongue (Matthew 12:37; 15:18). This one
member, when abused, is able to bring one's whole being, soul
and body into hell.
"and sets on fire the course of
our life"-"the whole round of human life and
activity" (Vine p. 103). "In some way he is saying
that everything around man seems affected by the tongue"
(Roberts p. 131). The above phrase rendered "course of
our life" means literally, "wheel of the existence",
which depicts life as a continuous round of activity. Woods
notes, "So potent is it in its effects that it can, and often
does, influence man's entire round (period) of existence. An
inflamed speech, intolerant words, a false rumor may set on fire
an individual, a city and even a nation. We recall only too well
the rabble-rousing speeches of Hitler, and the overwhelming wave
of the war spirit which swept over the German nation as a result"
(p. 165).
An uncontrolled tongue can bring misery into every area of our
lives. Such can destroy the happiness in our marriages, alienate
us from our children, get us fired at work and so on. There is
a warning here: An unbridled tongue will wreck havoc in our life.
And unless it is brought in subjection to Christ, it will touch
every area of our lives.
"and is set on fire by hell"-"with
a flame fed from hell" (Mof). "continually set on fire
by hell" (Woods p. 165).
Points To Note:
3:7 "For every species of beasts
and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and
has been tamed by the human race"
"every species"-Note
that James doesn't lump all animals into the same category. He
realizes that the animals fit into various classifications or
categories.
"is tamed, and has been tamed"-James
isn't teaching that man has been able to make every wild animal
into a household pet. Rather, "Even though man has not been
able to make a pet out of every wild beast or sea creature, he
has been able to capture, cage, leash, or otherwise control any
creature he wishes. Even the wildest of beasts can be put under
man's control in a zoo" (Kent p. 122). In addition, mankind
has been able to "tame" some very powerful creatures,
"Every year men see in the circuses lions that are more gently
disposed toward their keepers than some men are toward their benefactors,
and bears rolling and wrestling and imitating our skills"
(Adamson p. 145). This power over the animals was given to man
by God at the beginning (Genesis 1:28; 9:2).
3:8 "But no one can tame the tongue;
it is a restless evil and fully of deadly poison."
"no one can tame the tongue"-"A
literal translation of the Greek word order yields this rendering:
"But the tongue no one is able to subdue-of men"
implying
that there is one who can control the tongue
No one can subdue
man's tongue except God
it does mean that man unaided does
not have constant and permanent mastery of his tongue" (Kent
p. 122). With God's help, with the Scriptures, we are expected
to tame our tongues (James 1:26; 1:19; Eph. 4:29; Colossians 3:8;
1 Peter 3:10). The verse is also probably saying, that while
the Christian may control his own tongue, it is impossible to
control the tongues of men and women at large.
"it is a restless evil"-the
word "restless" means something which cannot be restrained
or controlled. "Restless" is an ideal word to label
the activity of the gossip, the skeptic, the false teacher, the
slanderer, the blasphemer, the liar and the angry individual.
Such individuals cannot just drop an issue, they can't let go,
they just have to keep on spreading their poison. "Evil"
includes that which injures, is dangerous, destructive and troublesome.
James is here talking about a tongue which hasn't been subjected
to the will of God. "Like a loose cannon, its danger is
increased because one cannot predict where it will next unleash
its venom. It can ruin character, break friendships, blacken
reputations, and even send people to their graves" (Kent
p. 122). The word "evil" reminds us that an uncontrolled
tongue does much more than just cause trouble, it also brings
sin.
"full of deadly poison"-lit.,
bringing death. Romans 3:13 "The poison of asps is under
their lips"; Psalm 140:3; 58:3-4. Which reminds us that
when James is talking about the tongue, he is talking about the
individual, from whose heart such poison emerges (Matthew 15:19).
Here should be tremendous motivation to get the hate, bitterness,
envy, jealousy and every other evil attitude out of our lives.
An uncontrolled tongue is the product of a uncontrolled mind
and heart. And eventually, such a heart will lash out with the
tongue and spread it's poison. James isn't exaggerating! Look
at how angry individuals and prejudiced individuals have "poisoned"
their own children and others!