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Inductive Bible study on James 3:1-12. Includes cross references, questions,verse by verse commentary, outline, and applications on James chapter 3.
James 3:1-12 – Taming the Tongue. James 3:13-18 – Earthly Wisdom and Heavenly Wisdom. A. The demonstration of a living faith in controlling what we say. 1. (1-2) Opening observations: the greater accountability of teachers and the difficulty of not stumbling.
To tame the tongue, we must recognize its power for good or for evil (3:3-5a). James uses two analogies here to make the point that the tongue is small, but mighty: the bit and the rudder. A bit is a relatively small instrument, but when you put it into a horse’s mouth, you can control the entire horse.
James 3:1-12. EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: James seems to be moving in a very different direction after his discourse on works, which concluded, “faith apart from works is dead” (2:14-26). But his emphasis on consistently speaking blessings rather than mixing blessings and cursings grows naturally out of his concern about works.
James 3:1–12 in the Context of the Whole Gospel. When we take one step back from James 3:1–12 and read it in the context of the entire letter, we discover that James’s searing analysis is surrounded by the most practical counsel to enable us to master the tongue and to speak well for God.
Taming the Tongue (James 3:1–12) James follows up his practical guidance about listening (see James 1:19–21) with similar advice about speaking. Here he employs some of the fiercest language in the book. “The tongue is a fire.
With teachers especially (but not only) in mind, James warns believers about the danger of destroying ourselves and others with the words we say.
The observation that no human being is perfect may be commonplace, but James insightfully links authority to greater risk of harm stemming from imperfection in speech. Much attention has been given to the three metaphors developed in verses 3-7.
We bless God and with the same tongues we curse one another (3:9). This behavior James compares to gathering olives from a fig tree, or brackish and sweet water from the same spring (3:11-12). James, here, invites consideration of how we speak to one another as members of the church.
In this week’s epistle lesson, James stakes out a position quite at odds with contemporary enthusiasm for spontaneous outbursts of unfiltered passion. Instead, he challenges Christians, especially leaders, to express themselves carefully, as befits sisters and brothers made in the image of God.