Sunday, 28 July 2019

Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! James 3:5

James continues in this verse with the notion of something small which can affect something much larger. First, he revisits the issue of the tongue by saying, “Even so the tongue is a little member.” The average tongue of a human is a couple of ounces.… Read the rest

Saturday, 27 July 2019

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 3:4

James just wrote about the majestic horse which can be brought into submission by a mere bit in its mouth.… Read the rest

Friday, 26 July 2019

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

James just spoke of not stumbling with our tongues, which leads to being able to bridle the whole body. He now will give a few examples which convey this same type of idea.… Read the rest

Thursday, 25 July 2019

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. James 3:2

James just spoke of the need for people to not be hasty in becoming teachers, “knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” Now, to support that notion, he says, “For we all stumble in many things.” It is a universal statement, inclusive of himself, that people are prone to error.… Read the rest

Wednesday, 24 July 2019

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. James 3:1

James now begins Chapter 3 by once again addressing fellow believers with the words, “My brethren.” He is concerned about the quality of understanding matters of doctrine within the fellowship, and so he says to them, “let not many of you become teachers.”

The word he uses signifies one competent in instruction.… Read the rest