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James Chapter
Three
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Second
Trial of Christians’ Faith ---- the Necessity of
Obtaining the Wisdom from Above
A. Let not those who have wisdom become
teachers hastily (v.1-2);
1. For there will be a stricter judgment (v.1);
2. For it is easy to stumble in word (v.2);
B. He who has wisdom can bridle his tongue
(v.3-12).
1. Though the tongue is small
it can boast
great things (v.3-5);
a. It is like the bit and the horse (v.3).
b. It is like the rudder and the boat (v.4-5).
c.It is like the fire and the whole forest
(v.5b).
2. The tongue is difficult to be tamed (v.6-8);
a. The tongue is a fire (v
b. The tongue is a world of iniquity (v.6b).
c.The tongue is an unruly evil (v.8b)
3. One mouth should not be with two tongues
(v.9-12);
a. Blessing and cursing should not be out of
the same mouth (v.9-10).
b. Take the water out of the fountain and the
fruit of the tree as an example (v.11-12);
C. He who has wisdom understands how to
distinguish his heart and works (v.13-18).
1. He who has wisdom has to show his good
conduct in the meekness of wisdom (v.13).
2. It is the earthly wisdom of having bitter
envy and evil words (v.14-16).
3. Only the wisdom from above shall produce
more good fruit of righteousness (v.17-18).
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
James. 3:1
“My brethren
let not many of you become teachers
knowing that we shall
receive a stricter judgment.”
YLT: “Many teachers become not
my
brethren
having known that greater judgment we shall receive
”
Meaning of Words:
“become”: come to pass
arise; “teachers”: instructors
masters;
“stricter”: larger
more
elder; “judgment”: condemnation
avenge;
Literal Meaning:
“my brethren
let not many of
you become teachers”
“become
teachers”
it means they seek to become teachers. “Many …
become teachers”
in the early church
teachers were much respected
so many
believers desired to be teachers.
Note that here it is not the exhortation
that “man should not be teachers”
but that “let not many become teachers”
for
it is of the divine calling that men become teachers (see 1Cor. 9:16)
not of
human willingness or interests. Many a believer seek to be teachers according
to their own interest and fleshly choice
thinking they are more eloquent.
Finally
they merely serve their own ambition and belly rather than God.
“Knowing
that we shall receive a stricter judgment”
“knowing”
the following word explains the
reasons for “letting not
many become teachers”; “we” refer to
teachers
including James who was a teacher in the church. “Judgment” refers to
the judgment of the Lord upon the works of each one in the end (see 1Cor. 3:13;
4:4-5).
“Receive
a stricter judgment”
it is because: 1) if a teacher teaches
wrong
it will destroy the whole houses of the hearers (Titus 1:11)
and he
shall be strictly judged by God; 2) there will be many people who think they
preach in the name of the Lord
but the Lord says they are lawless workers
(Matt. 7:22-23); 3) a teacher is more entrusted than common believers
so the
Lord is more strict to teachers (see Luke 12:48).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) In the churches now
many a believer desire
to be teachers and become leaders without training and preach even without
gifts
knowing not the importance of preachment and the sacrifice and cost a
leader should pay.
2) Testimony is a duty for every child of God.
However
preaching and teaching are not fit for everyone
but for those who are
called by God and recognized by all believers and sent by the Lord and
entrusted by the church.
3) If teachers are not watchful
different
doctrines and views will be easily brought into the church and cause the
troubles and divisions of the church (see 1Tim. 1:3-4
7; 2Tim. 4:3; Eph.
4:14).
4) The arrogant man can only see merely the
mote in the eyes of others
but not the beam in his own eyes (Matt. 7:3).
Therefore
he only teaches others but not himself.
5) He who likes to judge or criticize thinks he
is superior to others and wise enough to be a model of virtue for others
but
does not know that he has put him under stricter judgment ---- not only the
judgment of others
but also that of the Lord in the future (see Matt.
12:36-37).
James. 3:2 “For we all stumble in
many things. If anyone does not stumble in word
he is a perfect man
able also
to bridle the whole body.”
YLT:
“for we all make many stumbles; if any one in word doth not stumble
this one a
perfect man
able to bridle also the whole body;”
Meaning
of Words: “stumble”: offend
fall
trip; “bridle”: control
curb;
Literal
Meaning: “for we all stumble in many things”
“for”
the reason why teachers shall be under stricter judgment (see v.1); “stumble in
many things”: it means that faults are unavoidable for man. According to the
context
the main reason for man’s faults comes from his word.
“If anyone does not stumble in word
he is a perfect man”
“does not
stumble in word”: be able to bridle one’s tongue (see 1:26); “he is a perfect
man”
here it suggests that there is no perfect man at all
for no one can tame
the tongue (see v.8).
“Able to bridle the whole body”
it means controlling all the members of
the body and not making them become tools of sin (see
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) No one is worthy of boast according to the
nature of man
for in the sight of God all have sinned and come short of the
glory of God (Rom. 3:23; 1John 1:8).
2) Sin that the tongue has committed is more
easily to entrap men than any other sin
and is of more destruction.
3) A fool’s voice through a multitude of words
(Eccl. 5:3). In the multitude of words sin is not lacking.
4) We have to teach ourselves before teaching
others (see Rom. 2:21). Moreover
we shall also learn to bridle our tongues
before learning.
5) One who can restrict himself to not stumble
in word shall be able to bridle the whole body without making mistakes.
James. 3:3 “Indeed
we put bits in
horses' mouths that they may obey us
and we turn their whole body.”
YLT:
“lo
the bits we put into the mouths of the horses for their obeying us
and
their whole body we turn about;”
Meaning
of Words: “bit”: bridle; “turn
… away”: change the direction;
Literal
Meaning: “indeed
we put bits in horses’ mouths that
they may obey us”
“bit”: a set of leather bands put around a horse’s head and
used to control its movements; “put bits in horses’ mouths”
the purpose is to
tame the horse and make it obey its master; “that they may obey us”
make it
obey the director by force
which contains a meaning of “conquering”.
“And we turn their whole body”
it means controlling its whole body and
making it run or stop or turn according to the direction of the master.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Believers shall take the word of God as the
invisible bit as well as the direction and instruction of our whole life.
2) The tongue is like the bit (see v.2). If the
tongue is bridled
the whole body is governed
and the whole life is oriented
unto the right direction. On the contrary
if the tongue is not bridled
the
whole life will suffer loss because of the tongue.
James. 3:4 “Look also at ships:
although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds
they are turned by a
very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.”
YLT:
“lo
also the ships
being so great
and by fierce winds being driven
are led
about by a very small helm
whithersoever the impulse of the helmsman doth
counsel
”
Meaning
of Words: “large”: mighty;
“fierce wind”: strong wind
hard wind; “driven”: carry; “small”: little;
“rudder”: a flat part at the back of a ship or aircraft that can be turned to
control the direction in which it moves;
Literal
Meaning: “look also at ships: although they are so
large and are driven by fierce winds”
“look also”: it shows that another
example is mentioned; “ships”: life in the world is like a ship in the sea;
“are driven”: cannot help doing;
“They are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires”
“a
very small rudder”: it is a contrast to the big ship and fierce wind; “turn”:
change the direction of the ship;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Man can even direct the large ship by
controlling the small rudder. Since the rudder can decide the ship’s direction
the tongue can also direct the destiny of a man. If a believer is careful to
curb his tongue
he has put his whole life on the route directed by God.
2) The rudder plays its role only when it is
controlled by the pilot. Likewise
the tongue can also work beneficially only
when it is directed by its owner. Otherwise
it will be harmful.
3) When we are sailing on the sea of the life
journey
we may easily be driven by the environmental elements and unable to
control ourselves. However
if we let the Lord Jesus be the pilot of us
the
whole members of us will be governed and directed by Him so that we shall move
ahead at peace.
James. 3:5 “Even so the tongue is a
little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire
kindles!”
YLT:
“so also the tongue is a little member
and doth boast greatly; lo
a little
fire how much wood it doth kindle!”
Meaning
of Words: “great”: large; “little”: small;
“kindle”: enkindle
light;
Literal
Meaning: “even so”
it means that the following word
is the conclusion of verse four and five;
“The tongue is a little member and boasts great
things”
“a little member”
it is a contrast to the previous “bit” and
“rudder”. The proportion of the tongue to the whole body is like the bit to the
horse and the rudder to the ship. “Boast great things”: it affects oneself as
well as others.
“See
how great a forest a little fire kindles”
“a little fire”
here the fire has
the meaning of destruction; “how great a forest … kindles”
kindling is not a
result
but a starting point
and the final result is the destruction of the
whole forest.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) In the world
“a word can prosper a nation”
and can also “destroy a nation”. Though the tongue is small
it can hold the
whole future of a man. Therefore
we cannot say the tongue’s function is small.
2) If “fire” can be controlled by man
it will
serve man. However
if it is not controlled by man
it will cause terrible
troubles. Likewise
if the “tongue” is tamed by man
it will bring a lot of
benefits to men. Otherwise
it will cause endless troubles.
3) There are three matters in the world that
cannot be recaptured again once they are lost ---- the arrow flown out of the
bow
the word that is spoken and the favorable opportunity that is lost. As a
Chinese saying goes
a word spoken can never be taken back. Once an improper
word is uttered
it will bring great harm to oneself and others.
James. 3:6 “And the tongue is a fire
a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the
whole body
and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by
hell.”
YLT:
“and the tongue a fire
the world of the unrighteousness
so the tongue is set
in our members
which is spotting our whole body
and is setting on fire the
course of nature
and is set on fire by the gehenna.”
Meaning
of Words: “defile”: spot
defect
disgrace; “nature”: generation
nativity
origin; “course”: runner
circuit; “hell”: Gehenna
a valley in which rubbishes are burned all the year
around outside of city of
Literal
Meaning: “the tongue is a fire”
it means that the
word of man has the destructive power.
“A world of iniquity
the tongue is so set among our members that it
defiles the whole body”
“…so set among our members”
the tongue is a member of
the body set by God (see 1Cor. 12:18). “A world of iniquity”
it means that the
tongue commits many sins and also provokes a lot of sins. If there is no
tongue
there will be fewer sins in the world. “That it defiles the whole
body”
all the evil and filthy thoughts uttered by the tongue can defile the
whole body (see Matt. 15:11
18-19).
“And set on fire the course of nature”
“course”
the circuit rotating round and round; here it is used to describe a
period of time or process; “the course of nature”
it refers to the “journey of
life”
namely
the whole life of a man; “set on fire”: destruction; here it
suggests that the tongue is of great destructive power that can destroy the
whole life of a man.
“And it is set on fire by hell”
both fire
and hell may cause men suffer fatal destruction. “Hell”
the fire kindled by
hell is the quenchless fire (see Mark 9:48) that makes the soul of man suffer
the affliction of flame. Therefore
man will be harmed by the tongue not only
in this age but also in the coming one forever.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The tongue is “fire”
and “watering” is the
best way to quench the fire. Out of believers’ belly shall flow rivers of
living water (John 7:38) that will quench a lot of fire of sins.
2) Another passive way of putting out the fire
is to cut off the fuel ---- “where there is no talebearer
the contention
ceases” (Pro.6:20) ---- not convey any meaningless word.
3) The spiritual way of dealing with the
unclean lips is: let the burning coal touch the mouth (see Is. 6:5-7) ----
fight fire with fire ---- deal with our soul life by the cross (see Matt.
16:24-25).
4) The tongue is a world of iniquity ---- the
world is full sins and unrighteousness
most of which are caused by the filthy
and corrupted tongue.
5) The tongue is the “ornament” (one of the
meanings of the “world” in the original) of sin. In other words
the tongue is
the tool that beautifies sins. Man may cover facts by the tongue’s sophistry
and thus conceal and even connive at sins.
6) The days of man’s life move in cycles and go
round unceasingly just like a wheel. If our tongue is not restricted but
kindles the fire everywhere
the destruction will become unimaginable.
7) Man’s tongue is even closely connected with
the hell. The destructive power comes from the hell
and finally man will be
led into the hell. How could we believers be careful with our tongues!
James. 3:7 “For every kind of beast
and bird
of reptile and creature of the sea
is tamed and has been tamed by
mankind.”
YLT:
“For every nature
both of beasts and of fowls
both of creeping things and things
of the sea
is subdued
and hath been subdued
by the human nature
”
Meaning
of Words: “reptile”: creeping
animals; “tame”: control;
Literal
Meaning: “every kind of beast and bird
of reptile
and creature of the sea” refer to all the animals (see Gen. 1:20-25).
“Is tamed and has been tamed by mankind”
“is tamed”
in God’s creation
man is gifted by wisdom and intelligence and empowered to have dominion over
the fish of the sea
and over the fowl of the heavens and over every animal
that moved on the earth (Gen. 1:28). Therefore
man has the capability of
taming and controlling them. “Has been tamed”
though some of the wild beasts
may attack men
most of them make men fearful and dreadful (Gen. 9:2) and live
far from human beings. Even though there are some exceptional cases
the final
winners are still human beings.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If God entrusts some responsibilities and
things to anyone
He will firstly equip man with the power of ministry to
enable him to fulfill the ministry. If the origin of Christian’s service is
really out of God
he will obtain the gifts of service from God.
2) Religions except for Christianity have
requirements but no provision for men. However
there is provision first and
then requirements in the Christianity. This is the greatest difference between
the Christianity and other religions
which proving that Christianity is the
only religion revealed by God.
James. 3:8 “But no man can tame the
tongue. It is an unruly evil
full of deadly poison.”
YLT:
“and the tongue no one of men is able to subdue
an unruly evil
full of deadly
poison
”
Meaning
of Words: “unruly”:
unrestrainable; “evil”: harmful
wickedly; “poison”: rust
venom;
Literal
Meaning: “but no man can tame the tongue”
“no man can tame the tongue”
there are two
aspects of meanings: a) the tongue is more fierce than all the wild beasts
and
it cannot be tamed by man’s power or wisdom; b) it suggests that “with men this
is impossible
but with God all things are possible”. One of the normal works
of faith is taming the tongue.
“It is an unruly evil”
it carries several meanings: a) the tongue
is unstable and changeable
so it gives out both blessing and cursing (see
v.9-11); b) it is unceasing and works all the time and brings troubles to the
master; c) it is difficult to be tamed. The dealing with the tongue is not once
for all
but shall be careful till we see the Lord.
“Full of deadly poison”
“deadly”: it is fatal; “poison” has two
meanings: a) the poison therein is harmful (see
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Augustine said
“James does not say no one
can tame the tongue but that there is no one among men that can do. Therefore
when the tongue is tamed
we have to confess that it is accomplished by God’s
mercy and help and grace.”
2) Even the best Christian has to confess that
man cannot completely tame his tongue and the only way is to live by the divine
life
for we know that he was begotten of God keeps himself and the wicked does
not touch him (1John 5:18).
3) The tongue itself is not sin (see the
commentary of verse six). The problem lies in the uncontrollable tongue that
can turn the inner malignancy into a sharp arrow and thus kill men
unconsciously.
James. 3:9 “With it we bless our God
and Father
and with it we curse men
who have been made in the similitude of
God.”
YLT:
“with it we do bless the God and Father
and with it we do curse the men made
according to the similitude of God;”
Meaning
of Words: “bless”: praise
speak
well; “similitude”: image
resemblance
assimilation;
The Background: “with it we bless our God and Father”
to the Jews
the blessing of God is rather important. Every pious Jew read “the Eighteen
Eulogies” thrice a day. Each eulogy starts by the praise of God’s name.
Literal
Meaning: “with it we bless our God and Father”
“our
God and Father”
it means that God is lord and origin of life. We express our
gratitude and praise to God by the tongue.
“And with it we curse men
who have been made in the similitude of God”
“curse”
pray to God for judgment upon men; “who have been made in the
similitude of God”
it refers to all the mankind (see Gen.1:26-27)
including
believers and unbelievers. Since men have been made in the similitude of God
the cruse to men expresses dissatisfaction with God’s will and works of
creating men
namely
showing complaint of God.
It is a contradiction that we bless and complain about God with the same
mouth.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Therefore by Him let us continually offer
the sacrifice of praise to God
that is
the fruit of our lips
giving thanks
to His name (Heb. 13:15).
2) Our tongue is made for the purpose of
expressing the worship to God in truth and in spirit (John 4:24) as well as
uttering the words of exhortation and encouragement and edification to men (see
Rom. 15:14; Col. 3:16-17; 2Thess. 3:16-17)
but in no wise cursing men.
3) Some believers think they are the guardians
of the truth and righteousness. When they see brothers in the church whose
views are different from them
they dare to criticize and judge and even curse
them. How terrible!
James. 3:10 “Out of the same mouth
proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren
these things ought not to be so.”
YLT:
“out of the same mouth doth come forth blessing and cursing; it doth not need
my brethren
these things so to happen;”
Meaning
of Words: “ought not”: need
not
should not;
Literal
Meaning: “out of the same mouth proceed blessing and
cursing”
“blessing” is the noblest and purest word; “curse” is the lowest and
filthiest word; “out of the same mouth”: one mouth
two tongues. It is rather
abnormal that two extreme opposite kinds of words proceed out of the same
mouth.
“My brethren
these things ought not to be so”
“my brethren”
it shows
that the above-mentioned improper words are even out of the mouth of a
believer. “These things ought not to be so”
such condition should not exist.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The conduct of a man of God must be in
keeping with his inner life. If there is any disharmony
there must be
something wrong with his life.
2) Passive words show a passive heart
and
words of reproaches show an angry heart
and filthy words show a corrupted
heart
and words of curse show a bitter heart. Of the abundance of the heart
the mouth speaks (see Matt. 12:34-35).
3) The most urgent and difficult work in the
life of Christians is taming the tongue ---- prevent it from uttering two
opposite kinds of words
but only speak the words that God pleases.
James. 3:11 “Does a spring send forth
fresh water and bitter from the same opening?”
YLT:
“doth the fountain out of the same opening pour forth the sweet and the
bitter?”
Meaning
of Words: “spring”: fountain;
“opening”: hole
cavern; “send forth”: swell out
gush;
Literal
Meaning: of course
the answer
is no. In the original
it contains a meaning of “cannot…” or “how can…”.
“Blessing and curse” in the previous verse and “fresh and bitter water” are
symmetrical. Fresh water is like blessing
and bitter water is like curse (see
Num. 5:23). Moreover
the quality of water is decided by that of the spring
and the condition of “water” manifests that of the source. This verse man’s
words are compared as water
and the condition of one’s words shows that of his
life.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The dealing with of our words shall be
started from that of our inner life. One whose life is full and mature will
naturally outpour pure words.
2) “Naomi” (which means sweetness) and Mara
(which means bitterness) cannot exist together. If we desire to turn bitterness
to sweetness
we have to put “that tree” into the water (see Ex. 15:25) ----
let the cross of Christ deal with our natural life.
James. 3:12 “Can a fig tree
my
brethren
bear olives
or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both
salt water and fresh.”
YLT:
“is a fig-tree able
my brethren
olives to make? or a vine figs? so no
fountain salt and sweet water to make.”
Meaning
of Words: “bear”: produce
yield; “yield”:
have
do work;
Literal
Meaning: “can a fig tree
my brethren
bear olives
or a grapevine bear figs?” It is negative question like the previous verse
and
the answer is no. The quality of the fruit is decided by that of the tree (Luke
6:43-44). An only exceptional case is grafting (see Rom. 11:17).
“Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh”
it is the conclusion
of verse 11. “Salt water” and “bitter water” share the same meaning (see v.11)
referring to the water that is unclean and improper to drink. “Fresh water”
refers to the clean water that is clear and cool.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Lord is the vine and we are the
branches. If we often abide in the Lord
the Lord will also abide in us
and we
shall bear much fruit (John 15:5).
2) If someone is in Christ
he is a new
creature (2Cor. 5:17). We Christians should be sweet
and our words shall also
be sweet (see Cant. 4:11).
3) If our behavior does not match the divine
life we have received
it shows that we are not walking by faith. Moreover
we
shall be reminded to not walk by the natural life any more.
James. 3:13 “Who is wise and
understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done
in the meekness of wisdom.”
YLT:
“Who wise and intelligent among you? let him shew out of the good behaviour his
works in meekness of wisdom
”
Meaning
of Words: “understanding”: intelligent
professional words; “show”: manifest
prove; “good”: fait
well; “conduct”: conversation
walking;
Literal
Meaning: “who is wise and understanding among you?”
“Wise”: a kind of insight of discerning the truth; “understanding”
a kind of
professional knowledge for the purpose of knowing about the fact; such
understanding is acquired by learning and accumulated through experience. “Wise
and understanding”
it is a direct and sharp warning to those who think they
are qualified to be teachers (see v.1) that there may be many problems with
their self-assumed wisdom and understanding.
“Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of
wisdom”
“meekness”
a kind of gentle and humble attitude opposite to the aggressive
curse (see v.9-10); “the meekness of wisdom”
meekness is produced out of
wisdom; “show by good conduct”
the good character is manifested in one’s
conduct
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) He who is truly wise is humble and gentle.
All those who are arrogant and conceited have no true wisdom
but only foolish
and void of understanding.
2) He who speaks vain words without any good
conduct is not a wise and understanding.
3) Conduct tends to be more persuasive than
words. Therefore
he who has real wisdom knows how to remain silent and
manifest his wisdom by good works.
James. 3:14 “But if you have bitter
envy and self-seeking in your hearts
do not boast and lie against the truth.”
YLT:
“and if bitter zeal ye have
and rivalry in your heart
glory not
nor lie against
the truth;”
Meaning
of Words: “bitter”: acrid
sharp; “envy”: emulation
zeal
jealousy; “self-seeking”: intrigue
faction
strife; “boast”: rejoice against
glory;
Literal
Meaning: “but if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your
hearts”
“bitter
envy”
it means dissatisfaction with the words
and works of others which causes one’s excessive zeal. Moreover
it makes man
overwhelmed by the hostile mind and unbearable jealousy; “self-seeking”: it is like the politicians’ selfish
ambition for the purpose of purging the rivals. Finally
it will cause
divisions and discontent in the church.
“Do not boast and lie against the truth”
“boast”: it refers to the one who exalts
and justifies himself and always considers himself right and better than others
so as to depreciate others. Such man always regards him as a teacher and
teaches and corrects others as he wishes. “Lie against the truth”: to achieve
the purpose by any kind of means and even lie to justify him but actually
violate the truth;
This verse speaks of the common mistakes
that those who desire to be teachers (see v.1) may often make:
1) Have bitter envy: be hostile to those whose
views are opposite to them and always desire to eliminate them instead of
teaching them;
2) Self-seeking: seek only to praise oneself
and let his own views be accepted and thus adopt the strategy of attacking
others;
3) Boast: boast of what one has known about but
not be humble on account of what he has not understood; man in keeping with
such condition is too conservative to make any progress.
4) Lie against the truth: contend for one’s own
ideas and ignore right and rational evidences and finally sacrifice the truth;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Envy in the original means zeal. If man
starts from his natural zeal
even in the preachment of the gospel and the
ministry of the Lord
there will cause envyings and contentions and disputes
(see Phil. 1:15
17).
2) Theologians are often habitually convinced
that their biblical views are right and despise the different views of others
and do all they can do to deny others with bitter envy.
3) The mistake that preachers and teachers are
easily made is self-conceit. They get used to teach and think unconsciously
that others should merely hear with silence.
4) Anyone who has bitter envy and self-seeking
is unworthy of wisdom and understanding
for their conduct in life is not in
keeping with faith and has utterly gone against the truth and morality.
James. 3:15 “This wisdom does not
descend from above
but is earthly
sensual
demonic.”
YLT:
“this wisdom is not descending from above
but earthly
physical
demon-like
”
Meaning
of Words: “from above”: from
the beginning
the top; “earthly”: in earth
worldly; “sensual”: natural
sensitive; “demonic”: demon-like
devilish;
Literal
Meaning: “this wisdom does not descend from above”
“such wisdom” refers to the opinions out of an extreme mind; “does not descend
from above”
it is not the real wisdom from God above (see 1:5
17).
“But is earthly
sensual
demonic”
“earthly”: worldly ---- measure by
the worldly standard and elements; “sensual”: that is of the flesh and lust
---- judge according to one’s mind and thoughts without any working and
guidance of the Spirit; “demonic”: be controlled by the devil and cause
confusion and contention for the purpose of making men depart from God;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) All the wisdom that is not from above seems
to be rational and even subtle and unfathomable (see Rev. 2:24)
but is
actually out of the reasoning of soul and is controlled by the evil spirit.
Finally men are enticed away from God and fall into darkness and confusion.
2) The devil is skilled in transforming itself
into an angel of light (see 2Cor. 11:14) in order to engraft some apparently
reasonable words into us. Thus
many children of God are subtly influenced by
them and struggle for those theories at any cost and even turn against some
real children of God.
James. 3:16 “For where envy and
self-seeking exist
confusion and every evil thing are there.”
YLT:
“for where zeal and rivalry
there is insurrection and every evil matter;”
Meaning
of Words: “confusion”:;
“evil”:;
Literal
Meaning: “where envy and self-seeking exist”
here it
is the explanation why the wisdom described in verse 14 and 15 is not the
wisdom from above. Envy and self-seeking are the connotation of the false
wisdom.
“Confusion and every evil thing are there”
“confusion and every evil”
are the necessary result of false wisdom ---- the truth becomes disordered and
indistinguishable. And many troubles arise among believers. Moreover
there is
no peace in the churches and various evil things appear.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The most terrible condition of the church is
the possession of some apparently intelligent men
but actually they have only
false wisdom. They ought not to be teachers or preachers. Finally
they do not
build the church
but destroy the church and bring huge loss to the church.
2) The worldly wisdom is differential wisdom
establishing “the wall of enclosure” among men (see Eph. 2:14) that makes
brothers and sisters unable to draw near one another.
3) Once the worldly wisdom is brought into the
church ---- e.g. the usage of political power
faction
the over-emphasis on
talent than spirit
the more attention to wealth than virtues etc. ---- there
will give room for the devil
and thus the church will be trapped in
confusions
contentions
disputes
hostilities and even divisions.
James. 3:17 “But the wisdom that is
from above is first pure
then peaceable
gentle
willing to yield
full of
mercy and good fruits
without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
YLT:
“and the wisdom from above
first
indeed
is pure
then peaceable
gentle
easily entreated
full of kindness and good fruits
uncontentious
and
unhypocritical: --”
Meaning
of Words: “pure”: clean
innicent; “peaceable”: pacific
salutary; “gentle”: moderate
patient
mild; “willing
to yield”: easy to be
intreated
good for persuasion
complaint; “full of mercy”: compassion; “good”: benefit
well; “fruits”: harvest; “without partiality”: impartial; “without hypocrisy”: without dissimulation
unfeigned
sincere;
Literal
Meaning: “but the wisdom that is from above”
the
heavenly and spiritual and divine wisdom
opposite to the earthly and sensual
and demonic wisdom (see v.15). The connotations and characteristics of the
wisdom from above are the following virtues.
“Is first pure
then peaceable
gentle
willing to yield”
“pure”: it is
the inner purity and cleanness just like a pure virgin (see 2Cor. 11:2); it is
the premise f seeing God (Matt. 5:8); “peaceable”: it refers to the inner
tranquility and rest without any contention and confusion that make the
interpersonal relationship peaceable; it is the necessary virtue of being
called sons of God (Matt. 5:9); “gentle”: it is the inner meekness and humility
and patience and respect to men; “willing to yield”: it refers to the
willingness of obedience to the truth with no stubborn persistence in one’s own
opinions
and the delight of accepting reasonable views of others.
“Full of mercy and good fruits”
“full of mercy”: be merciful and
sympathetic and be disposed to be gracious and forgive; “good fruits”: be
willing to help those who are in need and disperse abroad and increase the
fruits of righteousness (see 2Cor. 9:9-10); according to the original
“mercy”
and “good fruits” are closely linked and both of them mean being good to
others.
“Without partiality and without hypocrisy”
“without partiality”: be
impartial and apply one’s mind to the truth and not alter the standard or
principles because of anyone or anything; “without hypocrisy”: sincerity
without dissimulation or confusion;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Except for the wisdom of God
Christians
should have a pure heart and obtain the peaceful spirit in Jesus Christ
and
bear fruits of peace in life ---- namely
gentleness
willingness to yield and
full mercy and goodness.
2) True wisdom is “pure” and innocent without
any hidden motivation that makes man see God in boldness (see Matt. 5:8).
3) True wisdom is “peaceful”
which always
fosters the normal relationship between men and God and that among men.
However
false wisdom always creates estrangements between men and God and that
among men.
4) He who has true wisdom is “gentle” and
understanding and good at communication. On one hand
he expresses his own ideas.
And on the other hand
he tries to understand that views and opinions of
others.
5) When the words of God come
he who has true
wisdom is “gentle” and will obey to the end unconditionally. Besides
in the
face of rational ideas of others
he does not adhere stubbornly to his own
ideas.
6) True wisdom makes men “full of mercy” and
sympathetic to men and “full of good fruits”. Besides
it lets men deeply know
that “it is more blesses to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) and put it into
practice.
7) The effect made by peaceful fruit is without
partiality and without hypocrisy
for it brings peace and purity to men.
8) A Christian who has real wisdom must have
“no partiality”. That is to say
he is able to distinguish between right and
wrong and between true and false and is faithful to the truth.
9) The conduct of a Christian who has the
foundation of heavenly wisdom and goal of the truth must be in keeping with the
faith and love therein without hypocrisy.
James. 3:18 “Now the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
YLT:
“and the fruit of the righteousness in peace is sown to those making peace.”
Meaning
of Words: “sown”: scattered;
“righteousness”: equity
justification
justice;
Literal
Meaning: “those who make peace”
“make peace”: be peace-makers
(Matt. 5:9);
“The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace”
“sown”
in the original
it means “scattering the seed for the purpose of harvest”; “sown in peace”:
scatter the seed of peace; “the
fruit of righteousness”: the
righteous fruit
namely
the production of the fruits that God pleases; such
fruit is sown by the peace-makers in peace. The fruit of righteousness is the righteous fruit
namely
the
fruit (works) that God accepts and delights in. Here
righteousness does not
mean justification by faith
but the end that God pleases. And it is also
fulfilled by the peace-makers in peace. In other words
although those who have
envy and self-seeking boast and lie
the fruit they yield is not pleasant to
God
for actually they can merely bring about confusion and all evil things.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The earthly wisdom must cause contention and
confusion (see v.14-16)
but the heavenly wisdom can bring peace and
righteousness.
2) “Peaceable” (see v.17)
“make peace” and
“sown in peace” ---- “peace” is mentioned thrice in the two short verses. The
heavenly wisdom works through peace and aims at making peace. Any situation in
the church that makes believers contentious is in no wise out of heavenly
wisdom.
3) One who loves peace and delights in making
peace must have a seed of peace. And such seed can only be obtained from God
who gives wisdom and peace.
4) Anything that pleases God cannot be
fulfilled by man’s anger (see 1:20)
but grow and flourish and bear fruit
merely in peaceful condition.
5) The seed of righteousness can only be sown
and reaped by those who are willing to make peace. Besides
it grows well and
yields abundant fruit merely in peaceful interpersonal relationship.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Fearfulness and Vileness of the Tongue
A.
The tongue often
makes man stumble (v.2); can defile the whole body and consumes the whole life
of man
B.
Though the tongue is
a little member
it boasts great things (v.3-5);
C.
The tongue is a
fire
a world of iniquity (v
D.
The tongue can defile
the whole body and consumes the whole life of man (v.6b);
E.
The tongue is an
unruly evil and no man can tame the tongue (v.7
F.
The tongue is full
of deadly poison (v.8b);
G.
The tongue is often
capricious without control (v.9-12);
Tame Your Tongue
A. Though it is small
its influence is great
(v.3-5);
1. It is like the bit and the horse (v.3).
2. It is like the rudder and the boat (v.4-5).
3. It is like the fire and the whole forest
(v.5b).
B. Though it is small
it is alarmingly
destructive (v.6-8);
1. The tongue is a fire ---- that can destroy
the whole life of man (v
2. The tongue is a world of iniquity ---- that
can defile the whole body (v.6b).
3. The tongue is an unruly evil ---- that can
poison men and is difficult to be tamed (v.7-8).
C. The works of the tongue is unstable
(v.9-12);
1. The double works should not be (v.9-10).
2. The double works cannot be (v.11-12).
Three Characteristics of the Untamed Tongue
A. It is a fire burned from the hell (v.6) ----
defile the whole body and make man commit sins;
B. It is an unruly evil (v.8b) ---- its
unceasing works bring about destruction;
C. It is full of deadly poison (v
Distinguish the True and False Wisdom
A. True wisdom;
1. Manifestation: let him show by good conduct
that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom (v.13);
a.
To oneself: first
pure
then peaceable
gentle
willing to yield (v.17b);
b.
To others: full of
mercy and good fruits
without partiality and without hypocrisy (v.17b
2. Origin: from above (v
3. Result: the fruit of righteousness is sown
in peace (v.18b);
B. False wisdom;
1. Manifestation: have bitter envy and
self-seeking and boast and lie against the truth (v.14);
2. Origin: earthly
sensual
demonic (v.15);
3. Result: confusion and every evil thing
(v.16);
The Orientation of Wisdom
A.
Why do we need
wisdom? ---- let good conduct of wisdom be manifested (v.13);
B.
What kind of wisdom
do we need? ---- wisdom from above (v.14
C.
The orientation of
wisdom (v.17b-18);
1.
A wise man has a
godly mind ---- pure and peaceful and gentle and willing to yield (v.17b).
2.
A wise man has godly
works ---- full of mercy and good fruits
without partiality and without
hypocrisy (v
3.
A wise man has the
fruit of righteousness (v.18).
Characteristics of the Heavenly Wisdom (v.17-18)
A.
Pure ---- innocent
motivation;
B.
peaceable---- inner rest;
C.
Gentle---- patience and
forbearance;
D.
Willing
to yield---- obedience to the truth;
E.
Full
of mercy---- charity;
F.
Good
fruits---- be gracious;
G.
Without
partiality ----- give priority to the truth;
H.
Without
hypocrisy ---- sincerity and clearness;
I.
The
fruit of righteousness ---- please God;
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou