Thematic Bible
James 3:1 (show verse)
Not many [of you] should become teachers [serving in an official teaching capacity], my brothers and sisters, for you know that we [who are teachers] will be judged by a higher standard [because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly].
James 3:2 (show verse)
For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].
Conversation » Speech, admonitions concerning
Perfection » Some essential elements of » Control of the tongue
Perfection » Implies » Purity and holiness in speech
Speech » Admonitions concerning
Speech/communication » The tongue
Speech/communication » Bridling your tongue
Temperance » In speech self-control, duty of » Over the tongue
Words » Of the complete man, gentle
Perfection » Some essential elements of » Control of the tongue
Perfection » Implies » Purity and holiness in speech
Speech » Admonitions concerning
Speech/communication » The tongue
Speech/communication » Bridling your tongue
Temperance » In speech self-control, duty of » Over the tongue
Words » Of the complete man, gentle
James 3:3 (show verse)
Now if we put bits into the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well.
James 3:4 (show verse)
And look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines.
ship » Equipped with » A helm
Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The rudder or helm
Ships » Described as » Large
Ships » Governed and directed by the helm
Speech/communication » The tongue
Speech/communication » Bridling your tongue
Wind » Tempestuous » Drives about the largest ships
Wind » Violent » Fierce wind
Ships » Parts of, mentioned » The rudder or helm
Ships » Described as » Large
Ships » Governed and directed by the helm
Speech/communication » The tongue
Speech/communication » Bridling your tongue
Wind » Tempestuous » Drives about the largest ships
Wind » Violent » Fierce wind
James 3:5 (show verse)
In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark!
See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark!
James 3:6 (show verse)
And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by hell (Gehenna).
Defilement » Of sin
Defilement » What defiles a man
Eternal » For punishments, ancient modes of hell » Greek, gehenna), the place of punishment
Everlasting » For punishments, ancient modes of hell » Greek, gehenna), the place of punishment
Evil » Speech evil speaking » General references to
Evil » Speech evil speaking » Warnings against
Evil » Speaking » Warnings against
Fire » Illustrative of » The tongue
Gehenna » Greek, the place of punishment
Hell » Gehenna
Hell » In the rv the greek word "gehenna" is translated "hell" in the following scriptures
Speaking, evil » General references to
Speaking, evil » Warnings against
Speech » Evil, general references to
Speech/communication » The tongue
the future » Punishment » Future state of the wicked » Hell » Greek, gehenna), the place of punishment
Defilement » What defiles a man
Eternal » For punishments, ancient modes of hell » Greek, gehenna), the place of punishment
Everlasting » For punishments, ancient modes of hell » Greek, gehenna), the place of punishment
Evil » Speech evil speaking » General references to
Evil » Speech evil speaking » Warnings against
Evil » Speaking » Warnings against
Fire » Illustrative of » The tongue
Gehenna » Greek, the place of punishment
Hell » Gehenna
Hell » In the rv the greek word "gehenna" is translated "hell" in the following scriptures
Speaking, evil » General references to
Speaking, evil » Warnings against
Speech » Evil, general references to
Speech/communication » The tongue
the future » Punishment » Future state of the wicked » Hell » Greek, gehenna), the place of punishment
James 3:7 (show verse)
For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
Animals » Habits of
Animals » Man's dominion over the natural world
Beasts » Subjection of
Beasts » Described as » Capable of being tamed
Birds » Man's dominion over
Birds » Domesticated
Birds » Can all be tamed
Dominion » Christ's » Man's
Exaltation » Under the special protection of jehovah of man » Dominion of, over the natural world
Man » Apparent insignificance of » Pre-eminence of, over other creatures
Man » A social being » Dominion of
Man's » Dominion
Serpents » All kinds of, can be tamed
Speech/communication » The tongue
Animals » Man's dominion over the natural world
Beasts » Subjection of
Beasts » Described as » Capable of being tamed
Birds » Man's dominion over
Birds » Domesticated
Birds » Can all be tamed
Dominion » Christ's » Man's
Exaltation » Under the special protection of jehovah of man » Dominion of, over the natural world
Man » Apparent insignificance of » Pre-eminence of, over other creatures
Man » A social being » Dominion of
Man's » Dominion
Serpents » All kinds of, can be tamed
Speech/communication » The tongue
James 3:8 (show verse)
But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison.
James 3:9 (show verse)
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.
Cursing » General references to
God » Hand of » Image of, in man
Image » Figurative » Man created in, of God
divine Image » Man made in the divine image
Man » Knowledge limited strength limited » Made in the image of God
Man » Apparent insignificance of » Made in the divine image
Man » Created in the image of God
Man » Created » After the likeness of God
Servants » Servants not being able to serve two masters
Speech/communication » The tongue
God » Hand of » Image of, in man
Image » Figurative » Man created in, of God
divine Image » Man made in the divine image
Man » Knowledge limited strength limited » Made in the image of God
Man » Apparent insignificance of » Made in the divine image
Man » Created in the image of God
Man » Created » After the likeness of God
Servants » Servants not being able to serve two masters
Speech/communication » The tongue
James 3:10 (show verse)
Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts].
James 3:11 (show verse)
Does a spring send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
James 3:12 (show verse)
Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
James 3:13 (show verse)
Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his [good] deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom.
Christian conduct » Advice concerning
Confusion » Where confusion is
Envy » The place where envy exists
Evil » Where evil is
Life » Christ » Consistent life
Meekness » General references to » Essential in hearing
Meekness » Saints should » Exhibit, in conduct, &c
Strife » The place where strife exists
Wisdom » The wisdom of the world
Works, good » Saints » Should manifest, with meekness
Confusion » Where confusion is
Envy » The place where envy exists
Evil » Where evil is
Life » Christ » Consistent life
Meekness » General references to » Essential in hearing
Meekness » Saints should » Exhibit, in conduct, &c
Strife » The place where strife exists
Wisdom » The wisdom of the world
Works, good » Saints » Should manifest, with meekness
James 3:14 (show verse)
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant, and [as a result] be in defiance of the truth.
James 3:15 (show verse)
This [superficial] wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly (secular), natural (unspiritual), even demonic.
James 3:16 (show verse)
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder [unrest, rebellion] and every evil thing and morally degrading practice.
Confusion » Where confusion is
Envy » The place where envy exists
Envy » Leads to every evil work
Evil » Words evil words of men » Works
Evil » Results of » Deeds
Evil » Where evil is
Strife » Causes of » Foolish questions
Strife » The place where strife exists
Strife » Leads to » Confusion and every evil work
Wisdom » The wisdom of the world
Works » Evil
Envy » The place where envy exists
Envy » Leads to every evil work
Evil » Words evil words of men » Works
Evil » Results of » Deeds
Evil » Where evil is
Strife » Causes of » Foolish questions
Strife » The place where strife exists
Strife » Leads to » Confusion and every evil work
Wisdom » The wisdom of the world
Works » Evil
James 3:17 (show verse)
But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].
Bearing fruit » What is full of good fruits
Fruit, spiritual » General references to » The product of heavenly wisdom
Fruitfulness » Degrees of
Gentleness » General references to
Gentleness » Exhortations to
Holy spirit » Fruits of » The product of heavenly wisdom
Hypocrisy » What lacks hypocrisy
Meekness » A characteristic of wisdom
Mercy » What is full of mercy
Nation » Spiritual » The righteous cultivate the spirit of
Peace » Results from » Heavenly wisdom
Peaceableness » The righteous cultivate the spirit of
Purity » What is pure
Righteousness » Fruits of » Product of » Heavenly wisdom
Social duties » Parental parental duties » Peaceableness, the righteous cultivate the spirit of
Spiritual » Fruit » General references to » The product of heavenly wisdom
The counselors of peace » What is peace
Wisdom » The wisdom of the lord
Wisdom » True wisdom, general references to » Full of spiritual fruits
Works, good » Called » Good fruits
Works, good » Heavenly wisdom is full of
Fruit, spiritual » General references to » The product of heavenly wisdom
Fruitfulness » Degrees of
Gentleness » General references to
Gentleness » Exhortations to
Holy spirit » Fruits of » The product of heavenly wisdom
Hypocrisy » What lacks hypocrisy
Meekness » A characteristic of wisdom
Mercy » What is full of mercy
Nation » Spiritual » The righteous cultivate the spirit of
Peace » Results from » Heavenly wisdom
Peaceableness » The righteous cultivate the spirit of
Purity » What is pure
Righteousness » Fruits of » Product of » Heavenly wisdom
Social duties » Parental parental duties » Peaceableness, the righteous cultivate the spirit of
Spiritual » Fruit » General references to » The product of heavenly wisdom
The counselors of peace » What is peace
Wisdom » The wisdom of the lord
Wisdom » True wisdom, general references to » Full of spiritual fruits
Works, good » Called » Good fruits
Works, good » Heavenly wisdom is full of
James 3:18 (show verse)
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals].