Get Ready
Have you ever gone horseback riding and been amazed at how such a large animal can be guided by such small motions on the reins and bridle. What do you suppose causes the horse to respond to changes in how the reins are held or direction in which they are pulled?
The Word
3Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. NRSV
Get into the Word
1. What advice does James start this chapter with? Why do you think he feels this way about teachers? Why are they subject to “greater strictness?”
2. What is the primary “mistake” James presents in verse 2? What other images does he use to explain the role of speech? Why is this such an important area of our life? What are the consequences of not controlling our speech?
3. What are the two “sides” of the tongue? How can it both bless and curse? What does it tell about the person who speaks both ways? What other images describe the same type of situation?
4. How does James see wisdom? How does it affect a person’s actions? Where does wisdom come from? What separates “wise” actions from “earthly” or “unwise” actions?
Get Personal
How has your “tongue” been recently? What aspects of your speech seem to lack control? How does God help you control your speech? How does this affect your attitude toward others? Toward yourself? Toward God?
Notes . . .
3:1. Teachers — the Bible consistently pictures teachers as having special responsibility along with serious consequences for false teaching. For example, check Rom 2:21-24, Luke 6:37, Acts 20:26-27, and Heb 13:17.
3:3. Bits — the Greek word “control” in verse 2 refers to directing with a bridle and bit. This image is also used elsewhere in the Bible [Psalm 32:9].
3:5. Small . . . great exploits — James is drawing on a well-known Biblical concept in vv. 5-9. Some references include: Prov 18:21, Ps 64:3, Ps 140:3, Prov 15:1, 16:27, and 26:20-21. New Testament examples include: 2 Peter 2:17-18, Jude 16 and Rom 3:13-14.
3:6. Sets ablaze — anyone living in the western United States can appreciate the destructiveness of forest fires started from a single small flame.
3:11-12. Does a spring . . . — James draws on some of the same images Jesus used to explain how a person’s actions reveal the attitude that can’t be seen, [Matt 7:16-20 andLuke 6:43-45].
3:13. Wise — James shifts to consider what a “wise” or “understanding” life looks like. Jeremiah quotes God: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord, [Jer 9:23-24]. And Jesus says, Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock, [Matt 7:24].
James also is consistent with the other New Testament authors on this point — check Gal 6:4-5, Phil 1:27-28, 1 Peter 2:12 and 3:16.
3:14. Selfish ambition — the Greek word refers to the political disputes that infected even first century government.
3:18. Those who make peace — James is echoing Hosea: Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap steadfast love, [10:12].
Memory Verse
Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom, [James 3:13]
Next Lesson
Friendship with the world – James 4
