Taming the Tongue
Verses 1-2
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
Commentary
Verses 1-2
James says anyone who can control his or her tongue is a perfect and totally mature person, able to keep the entire body in check.
Verses 3-5
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
Commentary
Notice the three small things the tongue is compared to, yet they can do great damage.
Verse 3
The small bit or bridle of a horse can control the animal.
Verse 4
The very small rudder can control a very large ship.
Verse 5
A small part can destroy an entire large forest.
Verse 6
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Commentary
Verse 6
The tongue can do great damage. It corrupts and destroys the whole body.
Verses 7-8
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Commentary
Verses 7-8
The tongue can train and tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures, but no human can tame the tongue because it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Verses 9-12
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Commentary
Verses 9-10
The tongue tries to do two things simultaneously. With the same tongue, we praise God and curse humans. Therefore, with the same tongue, we praise God and curse others. James says this should not be.
Verses 11-12
James gives three groups of things that cannot be done simultaneously.
... 1. Fresh water and salt water
... 2. A fig tree and olives
... 3. A grapevine and figs
Verses 13-18; Two Kinds of Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Commentary
Verses 13-18
In order to control the tongue, the owner should always follow God's wisdom that comes from above because it is pure, full of mercy, and good fruit. The owner should never allow his or her tongue to be influenced by the devil that does not come down from heaven but is the complete opposite of where God's wisdom.
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