1.
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
Verse 1
Masters; teachers. The meaning is, Be not too ready to assume the office of religious teachers.--Knowing that we shall receive, &c.; that is, if unworthy. The meaning is, that a great responsibility is incurred by every one who attempts to guide and instruct others.
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.
Verse 4
The governor; the helmsman.--Listeth; pleaseth.
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.
13.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Verse 13
Conversation; manner of life.
14.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Verse 14
Glory not; that is, in your supposed piety,--And lie not, &c.; by pretending that your hearts are renewed, while it is plain that in their temper and disposition they are still under the bondage of sin.
15.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Verse 15
This wisdom; such pretended wisdom or piety as this.
16.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Verse 18
Of them; by them. The meaning is, that disputes and contentions are not the measures by which the cause of God is, to be promoted; the seed from which the fruits of righteousness are to be produced is sown in peace, by peaceable laborers.