| Chapter text (World English Bible version) |  |
| Controlling what we say | |
| 1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgement. | Why does James say not many should become teachers? |
| 2 For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also. 3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. 4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. | What examples does James use to show the power of the tongue? |
5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity amongst our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna.* 7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and sea creature is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind; 8 but nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. * Gehenna was a valley outside Jerusalem known for its early association with pagan child sacrifice and later became a symbol of judgment, death, and desecration. | How is the tongue described, and what warning is given about it? |
| 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God. 10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water. | What problem does James point out about how we use our tongues? |
| 13 Who is wise and understanding amongst you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. | How should a wise and understanding person show their wisdom? |
| 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. | What happens where envy and selfish ambition are present? |
| 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. | What are the qualities of wisdom from above? |
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