Page 38 - book_james

In both verses, James asks redundant questions. The obvious answer to these questions is
no. This means that the obvious answer to the question about the tongue is also no.

James also covered the obvious areas of water and food in the Sermon on the Mount
(Matthew 7:16‐20). Water and food are necessities for human life, and a person hunting
for one of them in obvious places would be surprised to find something else; A fig tree with
olives? A grape vine with figs (which normally grow on a tree)? And what if the Dead Sea,
which always produces saltwater, would suddenly began producing fresh water? Each of
these examples were common in Palestine and to the congregation at Jerusalem. These
things are contrary to nature. A tongue that blesses and curses is contrary to the new
nature.

5. The Wisdom of Controlling the Tongue (13‐18)

James explains to his congregation that wisdom received from God should be evidenced in
their daily lives by keeping a humble and teachable attitude. He shows that wisdom that
produces no meekness or love toward others is no different than the world’s wisdom.
James sees jealousy and division in his congregation which, he explains, reflects an attitude
of evil. He exhorts them to seek for true wisdom which comes directly from God through
His Word. This type of wisdom should manifest as sincere love for the saints.

A. The Lifestyle of Wisdom

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.

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge (epistemi) among you? Let him show
(deixato: demonstrate) out of a good conversation (lifestyle) his works with meekness and
wisdom.

James is saying that wisdom, like faith (2:14‐26), must be proven by lifestyle. True
understanding will produce a teachable attitude and wisdom made evident to men through
works. These works must be produced and meekness (praus: teachableness) and wisdom.
Words and actions are what will win the world around us to the Lord (Colossians 3:17).
These words and actions must be a true outward representation of the understanding of
the Word in our hearts.

B. Attitudes of the Heart

Jas 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not
against the truth.

But if ye have bitter envying (zelon: jealousy) and strife (epitheion: factions) in your hearts,
glory not, and lie not against the truth.

The word “bitter” is the same word used to describe the water in verse 11. It is now being
used to refer to the inward attitude, which produces evil words and works. James sees
these two attributes, jealousy and factions, among the congregation at Jerusalem,
attributes James also saw in the religious leaders of the day.