3:1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers [apparently many Jewish Christians wanted to teach (though they lacked the maturity and/or giftedness to do so); teachers played an important role in the early church (cf. 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11); some wanted to be teachers because they desired the status, respect, and authority that came with the position; not all who want to be teachers have the spiritual gift of teaching; unfit teachers can be as harmful as false teachers], my brothers, because you know that we [James included himself] who teach will be judged more strictly [legal term that refers to a greater sentence from a judge].

Note: What is the danger of recruiting individuals to teach too quickly after their conversion?

3:2 [James turned his attention to speech, the primary means of communication for teachers] We all [everyone, not just teachers] stumble [used figuratively here: means “to commit sin”] in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect [complete or mature] man, able to keep his whole body in check [does not allow his body to become instrument of sin].

3:3 [James used three illustrations from daily life to illustrate that the effectiveness of the instrument, not its size, is most important] When we put [1] bits [small piece of metal with reins attached] into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal [illustrates how a small thing has influence over something much larger].

3:4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small [2] rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.

3:5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts [arrogant bragging or talking big]. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small [3] spark.

3:6 The tongue also is a fire [and therefore has the potential for great destruction; an uncontrolled tongue can destroy relationships, reputations, and churches], a world of [all kinds of] evil among the parts of the body. It [the destructive use of speech] corrupts [spots, stains, defiles] the whole person, sets the whole course of his life [all of life from birth to death] on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell [“Gehenna” is Gr. form of Heb. name of Valley of Hinnom (place near Jerusalem where people burned their trash); Gehenna a symbol for eternal fire and final judgment (Mk. 9:43,47); cf. Matt. 5:22].

3:7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man [emphasizes humanity’s control over animal world],

3:8 but [in contrast to the taming of various kinds of animals] no man [however, the indwelling Holy Spirit can help people gain control of their tongues] can tame [to subdue or conquer] the tongue. It is a restless [unruly and unrestrainable; like an animal pacing back and forth in a cage] evil, full of deadly poison [like a deadly snake].

3:9 With the tongue we praise [our Eng. Word “eulogy”: to offer good words or to speak well of someone; represents the highest use of the tongue] our Lord and Father, and with it [the same tongue] we curse [to invoke evil] men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

3:10 Out of the same mouth [Spurgeon said “What lies in the well of the heart comes up in the bucket of speech.”; cf. Mk. 7:15,20-23] come praise and cursing. My brothers [James was addressing Christians], this should not be [it is inappropriate or incongruous].

3:11 Can both fresh [literally “sweet” or good for drinking] water and salt [literally “bitter” or unfit for drinking] water flow [refers to “gushing forth” or “bubbling up”] from the same spring [rhetorical question with negative answer]?

3:12 My brothers, [James turned to an agricultural metaphor to reinforce his point about inconsistent speech] can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? [the answer is “no”] Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you [James answered this question in the next phrase]? Let him show it by his good life [cf. Matt. 6:19-21,33], by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

3:14 But if you harbor bitter envy [anger at the accomplishments and successes of others] and selfish ambition [cf. Phil. 2:3] in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth [the truth that we are harboring bitter envy and selfish ambition].

3:15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil [source of such “wisdom”].

3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven [literally “from above”] is first of all [means “first in rank”] pure [means “holy” or “separate”]; then peace-loving [cf. Matt. 5:9], considerate [patient, reasonable, fair in dealing with others], submissive [compliant and approachable, willing to yield (as long as no serious moral or doctrinal issue is at stake)], full of mercy [compassion shown toward the needy] and good fruit [probably kind, helpful actions on behalf of needy], impartial [cf. Jas. 2:1] and sincere [to be sincere or without double-mindedness or hypocrisy].

3:18 Peacemakers [those who love and try to promote peace; cf. Matt. 5:9] who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness [conduct that pleases God; actions that conform to God’s will].