https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=219
James 3:1-12
| 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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| 3:2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle [1].
¢ 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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| 3:3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies.
¢ Leadership by the bit demands obedience. |
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| 3:4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
¢ Leadership by the rudder nudges compliance. |
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| 3:5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire!
¢ § "Though the babbler is a small member of the church, see how much trouble he can stir up." |
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| 3:6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.
¢ Com Jas 3:6 |
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| 3:7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species,
¢ Com Jas 3:7 |
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| 3:8 but no one can tame the tongue--a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
¢ Com Jas 3:8 |
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| 3:9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God.
¢ Com Jas 3:9 |
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| 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.
¢ Com Jas 3:10 |
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| 3:11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water?
¢ Com Jas 3:11 |
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| 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
¢ Com Jas 3:12 |