James 3 begins by warning that not many should become teachers, because teachers will receive heavier judgment. We all stumble in many things, and a person who never stumbles in word would be able to control the whole body. James uses three pictures. A small bit steers a horse, a small rudder steers a large ship, and a small fire sets a forest ablaze.

The tongue is like that fire. No one can tame it alone. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse people made in the image of God. James says these things ought not to be so. A spring does not pour out fresh and bitter water from the same opening, and a fig tree cannot yield olives.

James then compares two kinds of wisdom. Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition are earthly wisdom, and they lead to confusion and every evil deed. 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. Peacemakers sow in peace and reap righteousness.

James 3 opens with a caution about teaching: Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. Speech is where everyone falls short. 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. Words reveal and shape the whole person.

James gives three images. Bits in horses’ mouths guide their whole body. Ships, though large and driven by fierce winds, are turned by a very small rudder. So the tongue is a little member that boasts great things, and a small fire can set a large forest ablaze. Every kind of animal has been tamed by people, but no one can tame the tongue alone. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God. Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. Nature itself shows this is wrong: a spring does not give both fresh and salt water.

The chapter ends by comparing two kinds of wisdom. Earthly wisdom is marked by bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, and where these are, there is confusion and every evil deed. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James closes with a promise: the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.