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But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 8. but the tongue can no man tame ] There is a special force in the Greek tense for “tame”, which expresses not habitual, but momentary action. St James had learnt, by what he saw around him, and yet … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 3:8”

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 7. every kind of beasts ] Better, Every nature. This was, probably, intended by the translators, as being the old meaning of the word “kind,” as in the “kindly fruits” … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 3:7”

And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity ] The last words are … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 3:6”

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 5. and boasteth great things ] The Greek verb is a compound word, which does not occur elsewhere, but is used not unfrequently by Philo. The fact is not without interest, as indicating, together … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 3:5”

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 listeth. 4. Behold also the ships ] General as the thought is, we may perhaps connect it, as we have done ch. Jas 1:6, with personal … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 3:4”

Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 3. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths ] The thought of man’s power over brute creatures and natural forces, and of his impotence in the greater work of self-government, present a singular parallelism … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 3:3”

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. 2. we offend all ] The word is the same as that in ch. Jas 2:10. See note there. a perfect man ] One who has attained … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 3:2”

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. Ch. Jas 3:1-12. Sins of Speech, and their condemnation 1. be not many masters ] Better, “ do not become, or do not get into the way of being many teachers.” The English word “master,” though perhaps conveying the idea of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 3:1”

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. 26. For as the body without the spirit is dead ] Some MSS. omit the conjunction, but the evidence for retaining it preponderates. The reasoning seems to refer Rahab’s justification by works to the wider law that faith without … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 2:26”

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way? 25. was not Rahab the harlot ] The question meets us, What led St James to select this example? St Paul does not refer to it, as he probably would have done, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of James 2:25”