Over 1,000,000 people subscribe. Even so, if we have control over our tongue it is an indication that we have control over our self. An extended reflection on the power that teachers hold because of the might and danger of words, this passage compares the power of words to the destruction and proliferation of a fiery blaze. The tongue is like the bit in the mouth of a horse. James includes himself in the word “all.” The idea is all without exception. James 3:2 NIV: We all stumble in many ways. The *Scripture calls some of the great people in *Israel’s history slaves or servants of God. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. Sin is anything that comes short of God’s absolute character. Each issue contains 3 short ideas from James Clear, 2 quotes from other people, and 1 question for you. James 3:2 Commentary: in what he says. There are three comparisons introduced by James with this verse with reference to the tongue. Commentary on James 3:1-12 View Bible Text . James starts, however, with a warning about taking on the title of "teacher." To James it was an honour to make himself a slave, and to belong to God and to the *Lord Jesus. I reckon that the tongue is a reflection of who we are, it’s the outward manifestation of the inner person. Not many Christians should aspire to be labelled as teachers, James writes. James 3:2-6 (1977-78) The following text is taken from a sermon preached by Gil Rugh, Senior Pastor at Indian Hills Community Church in Lincoln, NE. James emphasizes the importance of good works but also acknowledges that all Christians stumble (a metaphor for sinning; ...) in many ways. Not many should strive to be teachers, James instructs, because the office is rife with temptations. This Sunday’s passage involves one of the more peculiar passages in the New Testament. As James notes in this very chapter, this does not mean perfection (James 3:2), but it does mean our deeds and words should reflect our faith in God. James, like them, lived to serve God and the people of God. These are: (1) the bit, James 3:3; (2) the rudder, James 3:4, and (3) the small fire, James 3:6. There is an exception in Christ but there is no exception among fallen men. James may well have been familiar with this picture from common experience in daily life. The former theme was reflected in several passages of the Book of Proverbs. The text has been edited and condensed by IHCC staff for use as a Bible Study aid. James 3:1-12 speaks to these realities in a vivid way. Two themes common to the Jewish Wisdom Literature are presented in James 3:1-18, namely, the abuses of the tongue in verses 1-12 and the practical expression of wisdom in verses 13-17. This tiny appliance controls the enormous power and energy of the horse and is used to give it direction. Whoever can control the tongue can bridle the whole body (James 3:2). i. A small rudder turns a large ship. A person's words reflect his character and thus are a key to his whole being. What you are will come in out in the things you say. No matter how good a pastor might be, he still falls short of God’s standard. “The sense is simply that since speech is the hardest faculty to control it is there that one first observes ‘the world’ in a person’s heart” (Peter Davids, New International Greek Testament Commentary on James [Eerdmans], p.142). [See for example Abraham (Genesis 26:24), Moses (Joshua 1:1), David (Psalm 36:1).] James's call for good works, therefore, must not be seen as expecting perfection. In James 3:3–5, James uses two commonplace but very vivid illustrations. Over 1,000,000 people subscribe. The 3-2-1 Newsletter is one of the most popular newsletters in the world. The bit and the rudder are small but extremely important. 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