James
Chapter 3
Overview
James turns to the power of speech, beginning with teachers, whose words carry special responsibility. The tongue may be small, but it can guide a life or set one ablaze, much as a tiny rudder steers a ship or a spark ignites a forest. James then exposes the strange contradiction of praising God while cursing people who bear God’s likeness. Finally, he contrasts two kinds of wisdom: one driven by envy and selfish ambition, the other shown through humility, mercy, fairness, and peace. Real wisdom, he argues, can be recognized by the life it produces.
1My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
2All of us go wrong in many ways. Anyone who does not go wrong in what they say is a mature person, able to control their whole body as well.
3When we put bits into horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we can guide their whole bodies.
4Think also about ships. Though they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, a very small rudder guides them wherever the person steering intends to go.
5In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it boasts of great things. See how a small fire can set a great forest ablaze!
6The tongue is also a fire. Among the parts of our bodies, it becomes a whole world of wrongdoing. It stains the entire body, sets the whole course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by human beings.
8But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise the Lord and Father, and with the same tongue we curse people who were made in God’s likeness.
10Praise and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen.
11Does a spring pour both fresh water and bitter water from the same opening?
12My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can salt water produce fresh water.
13Who among you is wise and understanding? Let that person show it by living well and doing good with the humility that comes from wisdom.
14But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15That kind of wisdom does not come down from above. It is earthbound, driven by merely human impulses, and demonic.
16Wherever there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and every kind of worthless behavior.
17But the wisdom that comes from above is pure first of all. It also promotes peace, is gentle, is open to reason, and is full of mercy and good results. It is impartial and sincere.
18Those who make peace sow in peace, and the harvest they produce is a life shaped by what is right.