James 3

James 3:1

BE not] Let there not be many amongst you, that attribute unto themselves the authoritie of teaching, reproving, and censuring of others, as thinking themselves more wise, more holy, and more sufficient That we shall] In case we be found blemished with such defects, as we condemne in other men, or as are contrary to our doctrine and admonition, whereby it appeares that we do not sin by ignorance, and that there is hypocrisie in our proceedings, which are two points that do aggravate sin and condemnation.

James 3:2

If anyman] Suppose that some man might say he were free from other outward sinnes, as those, censurers did, yet no man can avoid nor deny the sinnes of the tongue.

James 3:5

A little] as a bridle or bit is in comparison of the body of the horse, or the rudder in respect of a ship Boasteth] The tongue emboldeneth man to undertake great things, in evill, through cunning and deceits or by it man wil bragge that he can performe and bring to passe great designes.

James 3:6

The tongue] namely, a false and perverse tongue A fire] that is to say, a powerfull meanes to kindle divisions, warres, troubles, &c. and to induce men to evill actions, and seduce them, &c A world] as who should say, a general masse of all sinnes, there being no sin to which the tongue doth not serve for an instrument The whole bodie] that is to say, man in all his parts Setteth on fire] is the cause of infinite evils and confusions in the whole course of mans life Is set on fire] that is to say, is stirred up to evill by the devils suggestions.

James 3:7

For every] He proves that it is the evill Spirit which stirres up the tongue to excesses, because that no humane art or power could ever finde a remedie against the poyson and offence of it, nor a curbe for the unbridled violence of it, no way to tame the fiercenesse and wldnesse of it, seeng man thereby exceeds beasts, in crueltie and harmefulnesse.

James 3:9

Therewith] The wickednesse of the tongue is a most various monster, composed of hypocrisie, in blessing God the Father and Creator of all men, and of maiciousnesse in cursing and wronging of men that bear his Image, which by this offence is injured.

James 3:12

The fig-tree] the meaning is, in this contrarietie of actions in the Tongue, it is most certain, that evill words are signes and effects of an evill heart, and seeing it is impossible for the heart to be both good and evill, or that contrary effects should proceed from one and the selfe same heart, we must believe that blessing of God which comes from the mouth, proceeds not from the heart, and that is but a meer vanitie and hypocrisie, see Matt. 12. 34, 35.

James 3:13

Who is] He returnes to the discourse of the first verse, the meaning is, if indeed there be any one amongst you that is endowed with sufficient wisdom to instruct and reforme others, let him observe these two things, first, that he practise those things which he teacheth, and shun that which he reprehends. Secondly that he do reprehend with moderation and benignitie, befitting true wisdom, and not use the imperious roughnesse of Pharisaicall censurers.

James 3:14

Glory not] falsly attributing to yourselves the title of Wise, and teachers of other men, see Romans 2:17; Romans 2:23.

James 3:15

Sensuall] not spiritual nor divine, but onely such as may proceed from a man that is not regenerated by Gods Spirit, and therefore vicious, see 1 Corinthians 2:14. Jude 1:19.

James 3:17

Pure] holy and clean from vice in him that possesseth it, and full of benignitie towards ones neighbour Easie to be intreated] not headstrong nor wilfull, but pliable to other mens wil and understandings in things that are lawfull and honest Without] making no difference between person and person, to contemne the one and esteem the other for outward respects,James 2:1-26. or keeping the uprightnesse of judgement, according to pietie and vertue onely, and an equal love towards all men.

James 3:18

The fruit] that is to say, God hath prepared and preserved for peaceable men the everlasting reward which he hath promised to good Workes; the cause and grounds thereof are already established in Christ and the first seeds are already sown in their hearts, with spiritual tranquillitie and comfort, see Psal. 97. 11. Hebrews 12:12.