What does James 3:1-12 mean?

¹ My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. ² For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. ³ Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. ⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. ⁷ For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: ⁸ But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. ¹¹ Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? ¹² Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. (James 3:1-12 KJV)

INTRODUCTION TO JAMES CHAPTER 3

The apostle here reproves ambition and an arrogant, controlling tongue, and shows the duty and benefit of controlling it because of its power to do harm. Those who profess religion should especially control their tongues (James 3:1-12). True wisdom makes people meek and avoiders of strife and envy; and by this, it may be easily distinguished from wisdom that is earthly and hypocritical (James 3:13 to the end).

The Untamable Tongue

The previous chapter shows how useless and dead faith is without works. It’s clear from how this chapter begins that such a faith is likely to make people arrogant in their behavior and speech. Those who rely on the kind of faith the previous chapter condemns are most prone to the sins of the tongue this chapter addresses. Even the best people need caution against using their tongues in harmful and judgmental ways. We are therefore taught:

Not to use our tongues to lord over others: “My brothers, not many of you should become teachers” (James 3:1). This doesn’t forbid helping to instruct others in their duties or correcting them in a Christian manner; but we shouldn’t act as if we are always in charge or as if our opinions are the standard by which everyone else must be judged, because God gives different gifts to different people and expects each person to act according to the light given to them.

So, “not many teachers”—don’t act like judges and authorities, but rather speak with humility, as learners; don’t criticize each other as if everyone must conform to your view.

This is enforced by two reasons:

1. Those who set themselves up as judges will receive a stricter judgment. “For you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1). People who are quick to point out others’ faults can expect God to be just as exacting with their own.
2. We are all sinners: “For we all stumble in many ways” (James 3:2). If we thought more about our own failures, we would be less likely to judge others. Often, those who justify themselves deceive themselves. Those who criticize others harshly forget how much is wrong in themselves. Their arrogance and judgmental tongues may be worse than the faults they condemn. Let’s learn to be hard on ourselves but charitable toward others.

We are taught to govern our tongues as a sign of uprightness and self-control: “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (James 3:2). Someone who avoids sins of the tongue shows a clear sign of true grace. On the other hand, if a person claims to be religious but doesn’t control their tongue, their religion is worthless (James 1:26). The wisdom and grace that help control the tongue will help control the rest of life. This is illustrated by two comparisons:

1. Controlling a horse with a bit: “If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well” (James 3:3). There’s a lot of wildness in us, especially in our speech, so we must control our tongues. As Psalm 39:1 says, “I will guard my mouth with a muzzle.” The more active the tongue, the more it needs to be governed. An ungoverned tongue can ruin its speaker just like an uncontrollable horse can throw or run away with its rider. But with discipline and God’s help, we can control the tongue and, by extension, all our actions.
2. Steering a ship with a small rudder: “Look at the ships also: though they are so large and driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs” (James 3:4). The tongue is a small part of the body, but its management is central to self-control. Small things can have a big impact. This should make us take special care in managing our tongues, since they can do great good or harm.

We are warned to fear an uncontrolled tongue as one of the most dangerous evils. It’s like a small fire that sets a whole forest ablaze: “How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness” (James 3:5-6). The tongue causes immense sin. It defiles the whole body and corrupts a person’s entire life. “It stains the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and is set on fire by hell” (James 3:6). Defiling emotions are often spread and sustained by the tongue. Solomon said, “Do not let your mouth lead you into sin” (Ecclesiastes 5:6).

The chaos and destruction brought on by the tongue affect every generation and every walk of life. It is often through satanic influence that our speech turns destructive. The devil is called a liar, murderer, and accuser (John 8:44; Revelation 12:10); and when people’s tongues lie, slander, or stir up hatred, they are being influenced by hell. The Holy Spirit once descended in tongues of fire (Acts 2), inspiring holy speech. But when the tongue is inflamed by hell, it produces hatred, rage, and destruction. Just as we avoid physical fires, we should avoid the speech that starts spiritual ones.

We are also shown how hard it is to control the tongue: “Every kind of beast and bird, reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue” (James 3:7-8). Even wild animals, birds, snakes, and sea creatures can be controlled, but the tongue is more dangerous and difficult. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible to control, but it is extremely difficult and requires constant prayer, effort, and the grace of God. “It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Wild animals can be restrained; venomous snakes can be handled safely—but the tongue can suddenly break loose and poison relationships and reputations. We must work even harder to control it than we do with any wild beast.

Finally, we are reminded to consider how we use our tongues in worship versus daily life: “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:9-10). It’s shocking that the same tongue used in prayer and praise is also used for slander and harm. If we bless God as our Father, we should also speak well of those made in His image. How can someone honor God and then turn around and speak evil of others? Even angels who praise God don’t bring accusations against others (Jude 9). For people to praise God but then curse His image-bearers—especially fellow believers renewed by grace—is a disgrace to their profession of faith. These things should not happen; and if we kept that truth in mind, they wouldn’t.

The apostle drives this point home with natural examples to show how unnatural such contradictions are: “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water” (James 3:11-12). True religion does not allow contradictions. A truly godly person will strive to be consistent in speech and behavior. How many sins would be avoided if we focused on being consistent!