Setting

In the first chapter of the epistle, we learned that practicing God’s word involves controlling our tongues (1:19, 26). After an extensive discussion on faith and works, James now returns to the subject of the tongue and applies the principle of faith and works to this area of daily life. He warns us of the unruly nature of the tongue and teaches us why we as believers must control our speech.

Key Verse

(3:10)

Did You Know...?

1. Teacher (3:1): “The privilege of anyone speaking—thus “teaching”—in the meetings of the early groups of Jewish Christians was a carry over from the Jewish synagogue services, where even strangers were allowed to speak. Recall from the gospels how Jesus took advantage of this opportunity (Matt. 12:9 ff.; Mark 1:39; Luke 6:6 ff.). The book of Acts also reveals that the apostles used this synagogue privilege to preach the gospel (e.g., Acts 13:15 ff.).” ^[ref]

Outline

• The Tongue and the Person
  (3:1-2)
• The Tongue’s Influence
  (3:3-5a)
• The Tongue Is A Fire
  (3:5b-6)
• The Tongue Has Not Been Tamed
  (3:7-8)
• The Tongue Needs to Be Consistent
  (3:9-12)

Keywords/Phrases

bridle, judgment, perfect, stumble, teachers, tongue

General Analysis

Segment Analysis

• 3:1-2

  1a.

  When James says, “Let not many of you become teachers,” does he have in mind those who have the divine gift to teach in the church? (cf. 1Tim 1:6-7).         Show Answer The ability to teach is a divine gift that the Holy Spirit distributes to individuals in the church according to His will (Rom 12:6-8; 1Cor 12:28-30; Eph 4:11). James’ command has to do with those who have not been given the spiritual gift to teach but presume to be teachers. Hide Answer

• 1b.

  What motive is James warning us against by this command?         Show Answer Teachers were in a position to educate the congregation and speak out against the wrongdoings of individuals. Those who presumed to be teachers probably desired the prestige associated with this responsibility or the opportunity to judge others. Hide Answer

• 1c.	What should be the correct motivation for teachers?         Show Answer Teachers must teach with humility, gentleness, patience, and love (2Tim 2:24, 25; 1Cor 4:14, 15, 8:1, 16:14) Hide Answer

• 1d.

  Why would teachers receive a stricter judgment?         Show Answer Teachers are supposedly more knowledgeable of God’s word. Having more knowledge, more will be required of them (Lk 12:47, 48). Their own teaching will also judge them (Rom 2:1). Furthermore, if they are not careful with their tongues but mislead others with wrong teachings, they will be judged all the more severely. Hide Answer

• 2.

  How does that fact that we all stumble in many things relate to the command in verse 1?         Show Answer Since we all stumble in many things, especially in our speech, no one should take the role of a teacher upon themselves. But if we have been given the divine gift to teach, we should teach with humility because we ourselves have many shortcomings. Hide Answer

• 3.	Why is a person who does not stumble in word able to also bridle the whole body?         Show Answer Since the tongue is the most difficult to control, anyone who is able to control his tongue and not sin in his speech would be able to also keep himself from committing other sins. Hide Answer

• 4.	Think of common mistakes we make with our tongue.         Show Answer For references on various kinds of evil speech, see Ex 22:28; Ps 12:3, 106:33; Prov 6:16-19, 10:11, 15:1, 16:28, 25, 23; Rom 1:29, 30, 3:13, 14; Eph 4:31, 5:4; Tit 1:10, 11, 3:2; 1Pet 2:1; Jude 8-10. Hide Answer

• 3:3-6

  5a.	What illustrations does James use to describe the tongue?         Show Answer Bits that bridle horses; rudders that turn ships; fire that kindles a forest. Hide Answer

• 5b.	What do these illustrations teach us about the tongue?         Show Answer Although it’s small, the tongue can have a great influence. With the tongue, a person can mislead multitudes or turn the course of events by “boasting great things” (5). Hide Answer

• 6.	How does the tongue “defile the whole body”?         Show Answer The tongue itself, in the sense of a physical organ, cannot defile the body. Rather, this verse refers to the wicked mind that causes the tongue to sin that is able to defile the person (Mt 15:10, 11, 16-20). Hide Answer

• 7.

  What does it mean that the tongue “sets on fire the course of nature”?         Show Answer “Course of nature” is also translated as “course of life.” The tongue can have a life long destructive influence. Another translation renders the phrase as “whole round of existence” (The New Berkeley Version). This existence may include the entire human existence. In other words, the tongue is able to impact the whole human race. Hide Answer

• 8.	What is the source of the tongue’s destructive power?         Show Answer The source of the tongue’s destructive power is hell (6). In other words, this power comes from the evil one (cf. Mt 5:37). Hide Answer

• 9.	Based on your own experience, what damages can the tongue do?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 3:7-8

  10.

  Why is man able to tame beasts, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures, but unable to tame the tongue (8)?         Show Answer Man’s inability to tame his tongue shows that no one has power over his sinful nature (See verse 2, which states the universality of sin: “We all stumble in many things”). Hide Answer

• 11.	What are some examples of speech that carries “deadly poison”?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer

• 3:9-12

  12.	According to James, why is it wrong for a believer of God to curse others?         Show Answer A person who curses his fellow human beings, who are created in the likeness of God, despises God Himself. Praising God while cursing others constitutes hypocrisy and false worship. Hide Answer

• 13.	How does it help us in our daily lives to remind ourselves that everyone is created in God’s image?         Show Answer We will love everyone equally with the love that God deserves from us. Hide Answer

• 14.	What lesson does James want us to learn from nature?         Show Answer James wants us to learn the consistency in nature. We cannot have double standards in our speech and actions. Hide Answer

• Final Thoughts

  15.

  Should we just keep quiet all the time in order to avoid stumbling in our speech? Knowing the source of the tongue’s destructive power, how can we let our tongues bring a positive influence?         Show Answer Since evil speech comes from evil thoughts, controlling our tongues starts with having a pure heart (Prov 4:23). If our hearts are filled with God’s love, and if our mind always meditates on the word of God, we will naturally speak words of edification. Hide Answer

• 16.

  Think of examples in the Bible where the tongue is put to good use.         Show Answer Gideon (Judg 8:1-3); Abigail (1Sam 25:26-34); the wise woman of Sheba (2Sam 20:15-22); Naaman’s servant girl and servant (2Kgs 5:1-3, 13, 14); Philip (Jn 1:43 46); Gamaliel (Acts 5:33-40). Besides these examples, the prophets and apostles have left us good examples where the tongue was used for God’s glory. The greatest example of all is the Lord Jesus Christ, who spoke with authority and grace (Lk 4:22, 32). Hide Answer

• 17.	What guidelines do you use to help you decide what speech is appropriate for you as a Christian?         Show Answer (The answer is empty) Hide Answer