Read or listen Epistle of James, chapter 3 online (ESV, YouVersion)

Consider what you say – James 3:1–2

The first and second chapters were mainly exhortations, and from the third chapter to the end of the letter, the main emphasis in the letter of James is on warnings.

Once again, it is worth noting that James does not imagine a sinless life is possible, as some claim he does. In verse 2, James states that everyone, including himself, stumbles: “we all stumble in many ways”. It remains unclear whether James in verse 1 is speaking of those chosen for a specific teaching position (Acts 13:1, 1 Cor 12:28, Gal 6:6, 1 Tim 5:17) or more generally of church leaders.

The idea that the judgment - perhaps one could also loosely translate "responsibility" - of the church leader is greater is also found elsewhere in the Bible. Ezekiel spoke of the duty of a servant of God twice (“I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel”- Ezek 3:17–21; 33:7–9). Also, the words of Jesus Christ should not be forgotten:

“To whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more”
(Luke 12:48).

James’ warnings about the sins of the tongue are for all Christians. The Jewish rabbis honoured teachers very much, even more than fathers. While a father brought them into the world, the teacher led them into the world to come. Therefore, especially teachers must observe their speech closely. The same exhortation goes to everybody:

“On the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak”
(Matt. 12:36).

However, no one can avoid violating God's will and offending their neighbors with their words. Only one person could do it, Jesus:

“He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth”
(1 Peter 2:22)

“No one ever spoke like this man!”
(Joh 7:46).

Facing the holiness of God inevitably reveals our sin, especially in our speech. So happened to the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 6:5) and so will happen to every human-being (Rom 3:13­-14).

"And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost;
for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell
in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
(Isaiah 6:5)

A Little leaven leavens the whole dough – James 3:3–12

Also, Greek literature is familiar with the examples of the ship’s rudder and the small spark that sets ablaze a large fire. But James does not use these images to describe the superiority of the human soul to the powers of nature as the Greeks did. He rather wants to point out how a small thing can cause a great harm.

The sins of the tongue remind us that evil is not just something on the outside which tries to make us unclean. Evil is foremost inside ourselves (ref. Matt 15:10–29; “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”, Matt 12:34).

James wants to remind his readers that you can never be a part-time Christian. It is not your speech in church, but your everyday speech that reveals the true quality of your Christianity.

In the beginning man was set as the lord and ruler of the Creation (Gen 1:28; 2:15). One thing that clearly shows the difference between man and animals is man’s ability to speak. But if this gift of God is used to act against God, how great is the darkness (Matthew 6:23). Its origin cannot be anywhere else than in the opponent of God. It is from Hell, Gehenna (verse 6), which originally meant the valley of Gidron, where child sacrifices were burnt during the time of Sidkia, king of Judah, Jer 32:35.

Finally, with a few examples from nature, James shows that it cannot be right for the same tongue to both bless and curse (verse 9). Each tree produces its own fruit according to its kind (verse 12, Genesis 1:11-12).

It is also worth remembering that one liter of good water does not make a large container of sewage drinkable, but one liter of sewage makes a large amount of water undrinkable. A small amount of bad spoils a large amount of good, but not vice versa. If people see two kinds of behavior in us, they will have to ask which - good or bad - is genuine.

Real and imagined wisdom – James 3:13–18

Wisdom and intelligence are different things. In the Bible - for example, in the book of Proverbs and in the Old Testament wisdom literature in general - wisdom means life experience, understanding (verse 13). The wisdom referred to in the Bible cannot be measured by IQ, but by behavior, as James does.

According to the Bible, truth must live in your heart in order to for you to become wise (verse 14). Cunning and exploitation of another person is not true wisdom though it might be clever. The Book of Proverbs speaks of the foundation of wisdom as follows:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”
(Proverbs 1:7)

James describes two different wisdoms that have their own roots, their own influence on human behavior, and ultimately their own consequences.

True wisdom comes from God (verse 15), it produces good behavior (verse 13), and its result is good fruit (verse 17, a list that is very similar to Paul's list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23).

False, worldly wisdom comes from the Devil and the demons (verse 15). The result of this "wisdom" is quarrels and bitterness and envy (verse 14). Ultimately its fruit is disorder and every evil thing (verse 16).

Jealousy and bitterness are probably the most destructive emotions in a human-being. They can turn everything upside down, and nothing is sufficient for them.

Peace (verse 18), on the other hand, is something that brings blessing also to others, not just to oneself.

Unfortunately, the history of the Church shows that various disputes have divided Christendom into numerous denominations and sects. James himself was building unity in the midst of the disagreements of the early church (Acts 15:13-21).

It is difficult to say when the division has been futile, originating from men, and when it has led to a good outcome, the preservation of genuine biblical doctrine. In any case, there is reason to be careful if someone wants to establish their own group within or separate from the church (verse 14).

The list of “fruits of wisdom” in verse 17 ends with the word “sincere”. The opposite of sincere is pretense, hypocrisy. It means wanting to avoid honesty and trying to be something else than what they really are. Often, we conclude that it is wise to please people, but James exhorts us to be honest in every situation. Of course, honesty does not mean that we must say every thought we might have about another so that we offend them. James wants us to avoid speaking things we do not really think or opinions which are not our own.

Pretending means that a person does not want to be honest, but wants to appear to be something other than what they are. We often think that it is wise to please people, but James urges us to be honest in this matter too. Of course, it is worth remembering - as James pointed out above - that honesty does not mean saying everything you think about another person. James wants us not to say something that we do not really think.