James Chapter 3 Breakdown

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

This is a warning, if you become a teacher, you will be held to a stricter judgment.

2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

Everyone stumbles in keeping the Law. If you did not stumble in keeping the Law of YHWH, you would be a perfect man. If you were perfect, you would be able to lead the whole body of Christ.

3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.

This is how we lead horses, similarly, if you were perfect, you could do this with the Body of Christ.

4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.

James uses another example. One perfect man can lead the whole Body.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

A man’s tongue is a small muscle with great power. A small fire can devour a great forest.

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

The tongue is similar to a fire, it is a world of sin. The tongue can defile the whole body. It can destroy the path of nature. This fire comes from the pit of hell.

7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

Mankind has tamed every creature of the world.

8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

But the tongue cannot be tamed. It is full of poison and evil.

9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.

We use our words to bless YHWH and to curse men. These men are made in the image of YHWH.

10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

The same mouth, the same tongue casts blessings and curses. James says this absolutely should not be the case. This is not what YHWH has commanded of us.

11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?

Here is another example from James. Does a spring give bitter and fresh water from the same aperture?

12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

More examples given to show we should be keeping the Law of God and showing only love to our fellow brethren.

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

If you are wise, show your faith by good conduct, that is your works, and do this out of the humble, gentleness of wisdom. What is wisdom?

Deuteronomy 4:5-6

“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

Psalm 111:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

We can see that wisdom is directly related to keeping the commands of YHWH.

14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

If you are full of bitter jealousy and self-aggrandizement in your heart, do not lie against YHWH’s Word.

15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

This type of wisdom does not come from YHWH, but from the flesh. It is a demonic aspect of the desires of the flesh.

16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

It is with this self-seeking wisdom exists that every evil dwells. Self-aggrandizement goes against the love of your neighbor. That means it directly contradicts the Law of YHWH.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

The wisdom from YHWH, and His word, brings purity, peace, gentleness, a willingness to be obedient, mercy, no partiality, and no hypocrisy. YHWH’s Law is perfect and keeping it makes us perfect. Just as James said earlier, if a man keeps the law he would be perfect. Therefore, keeping the Law of YHWH makes us perfect, according to James.

18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Making peace is the fruit of righteousness. Make peace and you become more righteous. By keeping His Law, you are making peace because His Law brings peace to your neighbors.