https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=219
James 3:1-12
| Jas 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
¢ James is talking to teachers and concludes "shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." in v.13. |
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| Jas 3:2 For all of us make many mistakes [1]. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect [2], able to keep the whole body in check [3] with a bridle [4].
¢ If you do not offend people with your words, you can lead the whole church. Jesus is the one who's words do not offend. There is no condemnation. He leads the whole church |
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| Jas 3:3 If we put bits [1] into the mouths [2] of horses [3] to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies.
¢ Leadership by the bit demands obedience. |
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| Jas 3:4 Or look at ships [1]: though they are so large that it takes strong winds [2] to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder [3] wherever the will of the pilot [4] directs.
¢ Leadership by the rudder nudges compliance. |
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| Jas 3:5 So also the tongue [1] is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest [2] is set ablaze [3] by a small fire [4]!
¢ § "Though the babbler is a small member of the church, see how much trouble he can stir up." |
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| Jas 3:6 And the tongue [1] is a fire [2]. The tongue is placed among our members [3] as a world [4] of iniquity [5]; it stains [6] the whole body [7], sets on fire [8] the cycle of nature [9], and is itself set on fire [10] by hell [11].
¢ Com Jas 3:6 |
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| Jas 3:7 For every species [1] of beast [2] and bird [3], of reptile [4] and sea creature [5], can be tamed [6] and has been tamed [7] by the human species,
¢ Com Jas 3:7 |
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| Jas 3:8 but no one can tame [1] the tongue [2]--a restless evil, full of deadly poison [3].
¢ Com Jas 3:8 |
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| Jas 3:9 With it we bless [1] the Lord and Father, and with it we curse [2] those who are made in the likeness [3] of God.
¢ Com Jas 3:9 |
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| Jas 3:10 From the same mouth [1] come blessing [2] and cursing [3]. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.
¢ Com Jas 3:10 |
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| Jas 3:11 Does a spring [1] pour forth from the same opening both fresh [2] and brackish [3] water [4]?
¢ Com Jas 3:11 |
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| Jas 3:12 Can a fig tree [1], my brothers and sisters, yield olives [2], or a grapevine [3] figs [4]? No more can salt water [5] yield fresh [6].
¢ Com Jas 3:12 |
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| Jas 3:13 ¶ Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
"I will show you my wisdom by good conversation of knowledge." The point is subtle. Works do not boast of faith, as the knowledge is not boastful as it demonstrates wisdom. Knowledge and works display the wisdom and faith, with meekness. |
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