James 3

1. My brethren, be not many masters, etc. Rather, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that we [teachers] shall receive greater condemnation” than others, if we lead them astray.

2. For in many things we offend all. “For in many respects, all of us [even the wisest and best] stumble,” and especially do we fail in the use of the tongue; so that he who thoroughly governs his tongue may be regarded as perfect master of himself.

a perfect man. One of full moral stature, indicated by this, as a test.

4 the governor. Lit., “the impulse of the steersman.”

5 how great a matter. Rather, “how great a forest”; cp. Homer, Iliad, ii. 455; xi. 155. A spark has caused terrific conflagrations; and a word has sometimes set families and communities “in a blaze.”

6 a world of iniquity. The omission of “so” is supported by the best MSS. and gives a different turn to the sentence. “The tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth,” etc. (R.V.). “The world of iniquity” denotes “the sum total of unrighteousness” (Lange). All kinds of evil result from the abuse of the tongue.

the course (wheel) of nature. Rather, “the whole round of life.”

hell. “The Gehenna” of fire: see 2 Kings xxiii. 10; Matt. v. 22.

9. God, even the Father. The best MSS. give, “We bless the Lord and Father.”

14 envying and strife. Rather, “jealousy and faction.”

15 sensual. Or, “animal”: see note on 1 Cor. ii. 14. The three epithets form an impressive climax: “earthly,” material, opposed to that which possesses life and thought; “sensual,” or animal, belonging to man’s lower impulses; “devilish,” or demoniacal, akin to the nature of unclean spirits.

17 without partiality. “Without wrangling.”

18 the fruit of righteousness. Ambition and strife have their fruit (16); so the work of peace has righteousness for its fruit, “sown” now, to be enjoyed for ever (cp. Matt. v. 9).