James 3:2

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

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - James 3:1-6

Caution against False Activity in Teaching and the Use of the Tongue. The danger of teaching and much speaking: v. 1. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. v. 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. v. 3. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn about their whole body. v. 4. Behold also the ships, which,... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - James 3:1-18

VI. FOURTH ADMONITION WITH REFERENCE TO THE FOURTH FORM OF TEMPTATION—PROPAGADISMCAUTION AGAINST THE JUDAISTIC BIAS TO FANATICAL ACTIVITY OF TEACHING. REFERENCE TO THE POWER OF THE TONGUE AND TO THE DEPRAVITY, LICENCE AND DUPLICITY OF THE FANATICALLY EXCITED TONGUE. THE CONTRAST OF FALSE AND TRUE WISDOM IN SPEECH ACCORDING TO THEIR OPPOSITE OPERATIONSJames 3:01My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2For in many things we offend all. If any man... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - James 3:1-12

Bridle the Tongue James 3:1-12 It is much easier to teach people what they should be and do than to obey our own precepts. Even the best of us stumble in many respects; but our most frequent failures are in speech. If we could control our tongues, we should be masters of the whole inner economy of our natures. The refusal to express a thought will kill the thought. Let Christ bridle your mouth, and He will be able to turn about your whole body. Let Him have His hand on the tiller of your... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - James 3:1-18

The writer now proceeded to show the effect of faith on speech. Beginning with the warning against every man setting up to teach, he proceeded to deal with the power of speech. He likened the tongue to the bit in the mouth of a horse, and to the helm of a ship. Surely a contrast between the tongue set on fire by hell and the tongue of fire is suggested. Speech ever waits for inspiration, and such inspiration comes from the depths of evil or from the Spirit of the living God. Follows a contrast... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:1-2

‘Do not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment. For in many things we all stumble. ’ James’ initial warning is against the natural desire that many have to teach others. They feel that they have a truth worth passing on and want to convince others. That is all very well if they are well taught and truly understand the Scriptures, and have the right attitudes and are loving and caring. But in those early days there was no New Testament, and many who... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:2

‘If any stumbles not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.’ Taking up the thought of stumbling he now points out that if any Teacher never stumbles in what he says, or how he says it, then he is indeed a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body, exercising total self control. He is a kind of paragon. This may be intended to be ironic, really indicating that ‘none of us Teachers are perfect, so that we all need to be very much aware of our weaknesses’. Or... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - James 3:1-12

James 3:1-2 Kings : . “ Do not crowd into the ranks of the teachers, my brothers. You know that we teachers shall be judged more severely than other men; and there are many things in which all of us stumble.” This leads to the discussion of the snare of speech, into which those who talk much are peculiarly liable to fall. The words rendered “ now if” ( James 3:3) should be taken as one word meaning “ see,” and the conjunction “ for” inserted. “ Now with horses, for example, it is in their... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - James 3:2

For in many things we offend all: there is no man absolutely free from sin, 1 Kings 8:46; Job 14:4; Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20; 1 John 1:8,1 John 1:10; and therefore we must not be too critical in other men’s actions, having so many failings ourselves, Galatians 6:1. If any man offend not in word; know how to govern his tongue aright, speak what, and when; as he ought. The same is a perfect man; either sincere, in opposition to the hypocrisy of those that pretend so great zeal in... read more

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