Chapter 3. The Uncontrolled Tongue In Contrast With True Wisdom.
Having demonstrated that showing partiality and ignoring the requirements of the poor and needy are both evidences that a man lacks true faith in Christ, James now goes on to demonstrate that the same is true of anyone who has an uncontrolled tongue. For this too men will be judged and brought to account, and what is discovered will demonstrate whether they have true faith, and the wisdom which goes with it (James 1:5). Here James is expanding on his thought in James 1:18-19. There it was in the light of the unchangeable Father who gives to men endowments and gifts as He begets men through the word of truth so that they may be His firstfruits. In response they are to be swift to hear and slow to speak in order that they might be what He requires and grow as a result of the implanted word. Now James will expand on that important injunction, slow to speak. If men are to respond to God's goodness they must control their tongues, and be thoughtful in what they say. It is important that that word of truth be rightly dealt with and not be utilised rashly, carelessly and even harmfully. Here he now presses home that fact.
So he begins by warning Teachers to watch their words for which they will have to give account, and he then goes on to warn all against the dangers of a careless tongue. It is quite clear that what men and women were saying was causing great problems in the churches. Careless words were acting like the very fires of Hell, and like poison in men's souls.
By this James is continuing the ideas broached in James 1:19-21 where he warned against being too eager to speak, and against words spoken in anger and about thereby not working the righteousness of God. Much of the problem clearly lay in men revealing in their words verbal jealousy, for orators were treated with great respect and awe (James 3:14), divisive argument, because people fought over minor interpretations (James 3:14) and wordy arrogance, because some thought that they were superior to others (James 3:14 - do not glory) resulting from or in great anger (James 1:19), to say nothing of their fawning on the rich (James 2:3) and showing contempt for the poor (James 2:3). And the solution to the problem was to be found in finding true wisdom from above.
This passage follows a remarkable sequence of key ideas which we have sought to bring out by the use of capital letters. Each idea is repeated in the next ‘verse'.
Analysis.
A Do not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment, for in many things we all STUMBLE (James 3:1-2 a).
B If any STUMBLES not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to BRIDLE the whole body also (James 3:2 b).
C Now if we put the horses' BRIDLES into their mouths that they may obey us, we TURN ABOUT their whole body also (James 3:3).
D See, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet TURNED ABOUT by a VERY SMALL rudder, wherever the will of the steersman directs (James 3:4).
E So the tongue also is a LITTLE member, and boasts great things. See, how great an area of brushwood is kindled by how small a FIRE! (James 3:5).
F And the TONGUE is a FIRE.
G The world of iniquity among our members is the TONGUE, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the WHEEL (ROUND OF EXISTENCE, COURSE) OF NATURE, and is set on fire by hell (James 3:6).
H For every kind of BEASTS, AND BIRDS, OF CREEPING THINGS AND THINGS IN THE SEA, is tamed, and has been TAMED by mankind (James 3:7).
I But the tongue can no man TAME. It is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison. With it we BLESS the Lord and Father, and with it we CURSE men, who are made after the likeness of God (James 3:8-9).
J Out of the same mouth COMES FORTH --- BLESSING and CURSING. My brothers, these things ought not to be so (James 3:10).
K Does the fountain SEND FORTH from the same opening SWEET water and BITTER?