James 3:2

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:1-18

The Control of the Tongue1, 2. Warning against undue eagerness to teach: cp. Matthew 12:37; Matthew 23:7; Romans 2:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40; Ephesians 4:11. Masters] better, ’teachers.’ The position of a teacher is one of great responsibility. Greater condemnation] RV ’heavier judgement’ (Luke 12:48). We all frequently err (RV ’stumble,’ better than AV offend). There is no such thing as human infallibility. That which is most likely to cause us to err is the tongue... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - James 3:2

(2) For in many things we offend all.—Better thus, For in many things we all offend: not, what might be inferred, “we are an offence to all,” as Matthew 24:9; 1 Corinthians 4:13, et al. Humble, indeed, was the holy mind of James, but this confession of error uplifts him in all right appreciation, and in no way casts him down. The very human weakness of Peter, and Paul, and James, endears them to us; for so we know assuredly that they were “men of like passions” with ourselves (Acts 14:15), and,... 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 3:1-8

Chapter 14HEAVY RESPONSIBILITIES OF TEACHERS-THE POWERS AND PROPENSITIES OF THE TONGUE-THE SELF-DEFILEMENT OF THE RECKLESS TALKER.James 3:1-8FROM the "idle faith" St. James goes on to speak of the "idle word." The change from the subject of faith and works to that of the temptations and sins of speech is not so abrupt and arbitrary as at first sight appears. The need of warning his readers against sins of the tongue has been in his mind from the first. Twice in the first chapter it comes to 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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - James 3:2

3:2 For in many things we offend all. {3} If any man offend not in word, the same [is] a perfect man, [and] able also to bridle the whole body.(3) The seventh place, concerning the bridling of the tongue, joined with the former, so that it is revealed that there is no man in who can not justly be found fault as well, seeing as it is a rare virtue to bridle the tongue. 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 3:2

For in many things we all offend, [1] fall into many, at least failings. --- If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He that in all occurrences can govern his tongue, has attained to a great degree of perfection. --- He is able also with a bridle to lead about he whole body. He alludes to the comparison in the following verse; and the sense is, that when he has once perfectly subdued this unruly adversary, it may be presumed he can govern himself as to other passions, and ... read more

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