James 3

James 3:1

But not many masters, teachers, and preachers. An admonition to al those who are not called, or not qualified to undertake this high ministry, let they incur a greater condemnation. (Witham)

James 3:2

For in many things we all offend, [1] fall into many, at least failings. — If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. He that in all occurrences can govern his tongue, has attained to a great degree of perfection. — He is able also with a bridle to lead about he whole body. He alludes to the comparison in the following verse; and the sense is, that when he has once perfectly subdued this unruly adversary, it may be presumed he can govern himself as to other passions, and the whole body of his actions. (Witham)

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Offendimus, Greek: ptaiomen, we stumble, rather than fall.

James 3:3

If we put bits, &c. By the help of a bridle, a skillful rider can turn and guide horses never so headstrong and unruly. An experienced pilot sitting at the helm, steers the course of the vessel in a storm, turns and guides the ship what way he thinks most proper; so must a man learn, and use his utmost endeavours to bridle and govern his tongue. (Witham)

James 3:5-6

The tongue is indeed a little member, yet doth great things: [2] causeth great evils and mischiefs, when it is not carefully governed; as a little fire, [3] it kindleth and consumeth a great wood. It is a world of iniquity, the cause of infinite evils, dissensions, quarrels, seditions, wars, &c. It defileth the whole body, even the body politic of kingdoms. This fire, kindled by hell, sets all in a flame during the course of our lives, from our cradle to our grave. (Witham)

James 3:7

Is tamed, &c. The wildest beasts may be tamed, lions and tigers, and the rest, [4] and so managed as to do no harm. (Witham)

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Et c'e6terorum, by which the ancient interpreter had read Greek: ton allon, though in the present Greek copies we read, Greek: kai enalion, et Marinorum.

James 3:8

But the tongue no man can tame, without the special assistance of God. (Witham) — Wherefore we are to understand, says St. Augustine, that as no one is able of himself to govern his tongue, we must fly to the Lord for his assistance. (St. Augustine, ser. 4. de verb.; Matthew vi. — It is an unquiet evil, [5] which cannot be stopt [stopped]. It is full of deadly poison, which brings oftentimes death both to men’s bodies and souls. (Witham)

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Inquietum malum; so in divers Greek manuscripts, Greek: akatastaton, though in others, Greek: akatacheton, quod coerceri non potest.

James 3:9-13

By it we bless God, &c. Such different effects from the same cause, as of blessing God, and cursing men, created to the likeness of God, seem contrary to the ordinary course of nature; from a fountain from the same source doth not send forth both sweet and bitter streams. — Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among you? &c. This seems to be connected with the admonition given at the beginning of the chapter, be not many masters; let none pretend to this but who have wisdom and knowledge, which also may be known by their prudent and mild conversation.

James 3:14-16

But if you have bitter zeal. He hints at that bitter, false zeal, which many teachers among the Jews, even after their conversion, were apt to retain against the converted Gentiles, pretending with lies, and against the truth of the Scriptures, that they are not to be made partakers of the blessings brought to all nations by the Messias. — Glory not, boast not in this pretended wisdom, which descendeth not from above, from God, but which is earthly, sensual, diabolical, from an evil spirit, which foments these jealousies and divisions; and where there are such emulations and divisions, there is nothing but inconstancy, and all kind of evils. (Witham)

James 3:17

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Suadibilis, Greek: eupeithes; which may either signify easy to be persuaded or who can easily persuade.====================