james-3:12-kjv

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 3:12

(12) Can the fig-tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs?—Read, Can a fig-tree bear olives, or a vine, figs? The inquiry sounds like a memory of our Lord’s, “Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” (Matthew 7:16.)So can no fountain . . .—This, the last clause of the sentence above in the Authorised version is very confused in the original, but seems to be merely this, Neither can salt (water) bring forth fresh; or, as Wordsworth renders it, Nor can water that is... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - James 3:1-18

James 3:2 She gossiped, like all the rest of Old Chester; but by some mysterious method, Susan Carr's gossip gave the listener a gentler feeling towards his kind. When she spoke of her neighbour's faults, one knew that somehow they were simply virtues gone to seed; and what was more remarkable, her praise had no sting of insinuation in it, no suggestion that she could speak differently if she chose. Margaret Deland, Philip and His Wife, p. 44. References. III. 2. J. Keble, Sermons for... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - James 3:9-12

Chapter 15THE MORAL CONTRADICTIONS IN THE RECKLESS TALKER.James 3:9-12IN these concluding sentences of the paragraph respecting sins of the tongue St. James does two things-he shows the moral chaos to which the Christian who fails to control his tongue is reduced, and he thereby shows such a man how vain it is for him to hope that the worship which he offers to Almighty God can be pure and acceptable. He has made himself the channel of hellish influences. He cannot at pleasure make himself the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - James 3:1-18

III. THE EVILS OF THE TONGUE CORRECTED CHAPTER 3 1. The tongue and its work (James 3:1-12 ) 2. The wisdom which is earthly and the wisdom that is from above (James 3:13-18 ) James 3:1-12 The practical character of this Epistle is still more evidenced by the contents of this chapter. The tongue is the member of the human body which is made prominent. The human tongue is a great and wonderful gift of the Creator; with which no other earthly creature is endowed. It is written: “Out of the... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:1-18

Here we begin a fourth division of the book, which continues to the end of Ch.4; in which our walk is tested by the circumstances of the world. Certainly in the previous chapters there is emphasis also on practical life; but there connected with its proper motive of faith in the living God. Now we no longer see faith mentioned, but evident outward conduct. Not all are teachers in the sense of having that special gift; and it is a dangerous thing for one to assume himself a teacher who is not... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - James 3:1-18

CONTROL OF THE TONGUE The third chapter contains instruction or admonition concerning the control of the tongue (James 3:1-18 ). Just as the instruction in the other instances grew out of something written in the first chapter, so also here. He had exhorted them to be “swift to hear and slow to speak”; following that he had showed them how to hear in the sense that they must be doers of what they hear; and now he would show them how to be slow of speech in the sense that they should “set a... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - James 3:1-14

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. (3) 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... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - James 3:9-13

By it we bless God, &c. Such different effects from the same cause, as of blessing God, and cursing men, created to the likeness of God, seem contrary to the ordinary course of nature; from a fountain from the same source doth not send forth both sweet and bitter streams. --- Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? &c. This seems to be connected with the admonition given at the beginning of the chapter, be not many masters; let none pretend to this but who have... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - James 3:1-12

1-12 We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. Hell has more to do in promoting the fire of the tongue than men generally think; and whenever men's tongues are employed in sinful ways, they are set on fire of hell. No man can tame the tongue without Divine grace and assistance. The apostle does not... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - James 3:1-99

James 3 WITH CHAPTER 3 a fresh series of exhortations commences. James turns from the subject of the works of faith to exhort his brethren against the very common failing of wishing to be a master of others when one has in no sense learned to be master of oneself. The word translated “masters” really signifies “teachers,” and if we glance at Romans 2.17-2.21 we shall see that the Jew especially fancied himself in this direction, and when converted the same tendency would doubtless remain in... read more