Untitled Sermon

Proper 19

These verses can be taken in three ways: as addressing topics related to teachers in the Christian community, as instruction generally applicable to all believers, or as instruction applicable to both groups in some sense. In these verses, James addresses issues related to the dangers of speech. Teachers were particularly vulnerable to errors of speech.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 3:2–12). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

illustrate that a small thing, like the tongue, can have far-reaching effects. He uses a horse’s bit () and a ship’s rudder (v. ) to convey that those who have control over their tongues have control over themselves. He also uses the image of fire to convey that the tongue has great potential for destruction and harm (

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 3:3–6). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

boasts great things Some nt passages portray boasting positively as something to be encouraged (), while others portray it negatively as something to be avoided

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 3:5). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

The metaphor of fire would have resonated with James’ first-century audience. Ancients relied on wood or charcoal braziers to cook and heat their homes, and the draft from open windows increased the danger of fire spreading rapidly. Furthermore, ancients possessed few effective means for extinguishing fires

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 3:6). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

world of unrighteousness Could mean that the tongue is an example of the worldly evil opposed to God, or that the tongue, as a fire, exposes evil within a person

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 3:6). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

The tongue can destroy or corrupt the entire course of a person’s life, or the entire course of a community’s existence.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 3:6). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

every species of animals and birds Being compared to the elements or creatures of nature would have been particularly degrading to James’ audience. Jewish writers often use this comparison to dehumanize and emphasize less-than-human behaviors (e.g., ; compare the extrabiblical work ).

In this verse, James describes the tongue as double-minded; see on .

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 3:7–9). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

curse people The Greek term here, kataraomai, often translated “to curse,” refers to causing injury or harm to someone through a statement. Ancients believed such statements had supernatural power (, ).

made in the likeness of God Alludes to . James asserts that it is logically inconsistent to curse humanity, the image-bearer, while blessing God, the one who is imaged.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 3:9). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

fresh and bitter water A tongue that dishonors God is not compatible with speech that honors Him.

A fig tree is not able It is against a tree’s nature to produce two kinds of fruit. Similarly, a believer’s mouth is not intended for both evil and good speech.

Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 3:11–12). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.