James 3

you? &c.] This Epistle seems to have been written about the eighth year of Nero, and the sixty-second of Christ, the year before the death of St. James; before which time the Jews had great wars and fightings, not only with their neighbours, but even among themselves, in every city and family, saith Josephus; not only in Judea, but in Alexandria, Syria, and many other places. Dr. Whitby. As if he had said, What I have hitherto observed of the wretched effects of a turbulent and contentious spirit, is but too wofully demonstrable from the present state and condition of the Jewish people. Let any Jew tell me the real cause of all those calamities and desolations, those foreign, civil, and domestic broils, that are now the general plagues of that nation. What is it but the sensual and ambitious temper I have been describing? Pyle. One of the most effectual rules for the attainment of concord is this: Let every man endeavour, by the grace of Christ, to moderate his desire of earthly things, “Whence,” saith St. James to the Christians of his time, “come wars and fightings among you?” Whence come schisms and heresies in the church, factions and seditions in the state, enmities and heart-burnings between families and individuals? “Come they not hence, even of your lusts which war in your members?” An inordinate thirst after power, pleasure, fame or profit, is at the bottom, whatever may be pretended. The humble and contented man quarrels with nobody, since, fully satisfied with the station in which God hath placed him, and intent upon discharging the duties of it, he is not eager after any of those things, for which others are with so much animosity contending. Bp. Horne.

James 3:7

7. — is tamed, and hath been tamed] The meaning is, that it is in the power and skill of man to repress the violence and poison of all other creatures, to subdue and disarm them of their weapons and means of hurting mortally. But the tongue is more hard to be subdued than any of these. Dr. Hammond.

James 3:11

11, 12. Doth a fountain send forth &c.] The Apostle argues and reasons from what is impossible in nature to what is absurd in manners. It is against the order of nature, that contrary effects should proceed from the same cause: in like manner grace is uniform and always acts like itself. To bless and curse, to pray and revile, is wholly inconsistent with grace. Burkitt.

James 3:13

13. Who is a wise man &c.] Whatever Christian convert or Jewish zealot, therefore, would be indeed a master of religious wisdom, let him show his wisdom first in the suppression of this wretched habit, and in reducing himself to a meek and charitable disposition toward his brethren. Pyle.

James 3:14

14. — glory not, and lie not against the truth.] Never brag vainly that ye are Christians; and do not shame and contradict that truth which ye profess, by a real denial of the profession thereof. Bp. Hall.

shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

James 3:15

15. This wisdom descendeth not from above, &c.] This is quite contrary to the true celestial wisdom, that Christ came to teach and infuse into us: it is that which is infused into us, 1st, by the love of the world; 2dly, by men’s own carnal passions and appetites; or 3dly, by Satan himself, who professeth himself to be an enemy of all good men. Dr. Hammond.

James 3:17

17. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, &c.] In this beautiful passage St. James describes the excellent nature of that temper which is recommended by the Christian religion, and the happy effects which it produces. It is the highest wisdom, it cometh from God; and makes those who receive it, first pure, then peaceable, &c. Dr. Macknight.

— without partiality.] That is, without making any difference between person and person, because of outward respects. Burkitt. This character of true religion was very properly mentioned to persons whom the Apostle had rebuked for their partiality in judging causes. Dr. Macknight.

James 3:18

18. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace &c.] There is a great and near relation betwixt righteousness and peace; so as they, that are truly desirous to advance peace, are careful of setting forward good works and maintenance of justice; and again, those shall be sure to reap the fruits of righteousness and glory, which have sown the seeds of peace and concord. Bp. Hall.

Chap. IV. St. James, having mentioned the evils produced by an unruly tongue and the spirit of strife and dissension, shews in this chapter, that all these disorders proceed from carnal passions, and particularly from the love of pleasures, from pride, from a desire of pre-eminence over others, from the love of the world, and from a spirit of envy and jealousy. He exhorts those, in whom these passions reign, to humble themselves, and draw near to God by repentance: and be particularly forbids slandering and rash judgments. He condemns those, who form projects and designs without reflecting upon the vanity of life, and without considering that they depend upon the providence of God. Osterwald.

Against covetousness, intemperance, and pride. Anno DOMINI about 60. business, but mindful ever of the uncertainty of this life, to commit ourselves and all our affairs to God’s providence. Or, knowledge. Or, pleasures. FROM whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?