The tongue's influence
James 3:1–12FocusResponsibility in speech
Connection to the wholeThe warning to teachers broadens into examples of the tongue's power and the contradiction of blessing God while cursing people.
interpretation James 3:14
KJVBut if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Read it in context
Two kinds of wisdom
Start reading at James 3:13 (James 3:13 to James 3:18).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
James identifies wisdom by its conduct and fruit, contrasting envy and strife with purity, peace, and mercy.
- 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.
- 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
- 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
- 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
- 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
- 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Who
- Who wrote the book? James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, is the named author. He is traditionally identified as James the Lord's brother and a leader of the Jerusalem church. Biblical references: James 1:1; Galatians 1:19; Acts 15:13. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (James 3:1–3:18): James addresses his brethren about teachers, the tongue, and wisdom within the community. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The twelve tribes scattered abroad, as the greeting states; the letter addresses its hearers as brethren who hold faith in Jesus Christ. Biblical references: James 1:1; James 2:1. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Two kinds of wisdom. Read James 3:13 through James 3:18 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? James identifies wisdom by its conduct and fruit, contrasting envy and strife with purity, peace, and mercy. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The letter addresses trials and conduct among its readers without providing a calendar date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The twelve tribes scattered abroad are addressed; the exact place of writing is not stated. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Two kinds of wisdom (James 3:13 to James 3:18). Start reading at James 3:13. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The letter names the Lord Jesus Christ and insists that faith be shown in conduct. Its teaching about works should be read within its examples of claimed faith that fails to act. See James 1:1, James 2:1, James 2:17, James 2:18. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Be a doer of the word, control speech, reject partiality, and care for those in need. A verbal claim to faith is tested by the conduct the letter describes. interpretation
Cited: James 3:13, James 3:18, James 1:1, James 2:1, James 2:17, James 2:18
Who wrote it, and how we know
James, the Lord's brother
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
James 1:1
Early traditionTradition identifies him as James the Lord's brother, leader in Jerusalem.
What is debatedSeveral men are named James in the New Testament, so the identification rests on tradition.
Related passages
- if Jas 3:16 Jas 4:1-5 Gen 30:1-2 Gen 37:11 Job 5:2 Prov 14:30 Prov 27:4 Isa 11:13
- glory Rom 2:17,23-29 1 Cor 4:7-8 1 Cor 5:2,6 Gal 6:13
- and lie 2 Kgs 10:16,31 John 16:2 Acts 26:9
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
James 3
James identifies himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ and addresses the twelve tribes scattered abroad. The letter tests professed faith by endurance, obedience, impartial love, controlled speech, and practical mercy.
James 1:1 James 1:22 James 2:17
FocusThe fruit of the heart
Connection to the wholeJames identifies wisdom by its conduct and fruit, contrasting envy and strife with purity, peace, and mercy.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
James
James identifies himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ and addresses the twelve tribes scattered abroad. The letter tests professed faith by endurance, obedience, impartial love, controlled speech, and practical mercy.
James 1:1 James 1:22 James 2:17
Trials and God's gifts
James 1:1–18FocusEndurance, wisdom, and desire
Connection to the wholeJames distinguishes testing from temptation to evil and directs the readers toward God's generosity and their response under pressure.
interpretation Hearers who become doers
James 1:19–2:26FocusImpartiality and living faith
Connection to the wholeThe word received must shape conduct toward others; the extended argument refuses to separate professed faith from obedient works.
interpretation FocusThe tongue and the heart's allegiance
Connection to the wholeTeaching about speech leads to contrasts in wisdom and a diagnosis of quarrels rooted in divided desires.
interpretation Humble plans and patient conduct
James 4:13–5:20FocusWealth, the Lord's coming, and prayer
Connection to the wholeThe closing movement addresses boasting, oppression, endurance, truthful speech, prayer, and restoring the wanderer.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.