1 James Class Schedule

2 James 3:5-8 Power of the tongue part 1 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

3 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! Introduction to the power of the tongue

4 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! So also – lit: in this manner also the tongue is a small part of the body just like “the bite” or “the rudder” and yet it (the tongue) boasts of great things boast – megalaucheō - to brag exceedingly, boast greatly; it indicates any kind of haughty speech which stirs up strife or provokes others. (only in James)

5 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! examples of boasting: see James 4:16, Eph 2:8-9, 1 Cor 1:29-31 See (behold) how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire the small fire is like “the bit” and “the rudder” but its effect is destructive What is “a small fire” referring to in this passage ?

6 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. the tongue is a fire - the tongue is in effect a fire (NEB) - the tongue is like a spark (TCNT) Prov 16:27, Prov 26:18-21 the very world of iniquity lit: (the tongue is) the sum total of unrighteousness iniquity - adikia - unrighteousness, iniquity; in 1 John 5:17, it is written that "all unrighteousness [adikia] is sin.” sum total - kósmos - order of the universe, the world

7 Casting Blame Anger Irritability Bitterness Resentful Self Pity Discouraged Fearful Worry Anxiety Loneliness Depression Despair Short Tempered Moody Critical Not Abiding Unrest Provoking Complaining Inhospitable Excessiveness Extravagance Laziness Busybody Miserliness Discontent Aggressive Glorifies Self Lack of Faith Gossip Unconcerned Selfishness Unloving Insensitive Argumentative Unthankful Never Satisfied Obstinacy Impatient Hatred Wrathful Malice Judgmental Flattery Uncaring Covetous Quarrelsome Lack of Joy Thoughtless Hostile Factions Selfishness Ungentle Desires : Popularity Influence Reputation Prestige Acceptance Success Power Riches Wisdom Some of the temptations to sin in Scripture SOURCE : OUR SIN NATURE (James 1:14,15) Many of these are expressed via the tongue: 14 MAR HAL MOLLOY

8 The fruit is the sins of the tongue Root = Sin Nature The source of unrighteousness of the tongue

9 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. the tongue is set among our members members – melos - a limb of the body – see James 4:1 Rom 6:12-13, Col 3:5 note: the tongue does three things to our body/life (1.) the tongue - that which defiles the entire body defiles - spiloo - to make a stain or spot and so to defile present active participle see Matt 15:15-20, Mark 7:14-20, Eph 5:27 (positive)

10 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. (2.) the tongue - sets on fire the course of our life course - trochos - a wheel, with metaphorical reference to the round of human activity, as a glowing axle would set on fire the whole wooden wheel (only in James) – Vine present active participle (3.) the tongue – is (or being) set on fire by hell hell - geenna - in Jas. 3:6 "hell" is described as the source of the evil done by misuse of the tongue – Vine present passive participle

11 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed is tamed - damazō - to subdue, to reduce to stillness or quietness (present, indicative, passive) has been tamed by the human race has been tamed – same (perfect, indicative, passive)

12 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. But no one (of men) can tame the tongue But the tongue no one in the human race is able to control (Wuest) it (the tongue) is a restless evil it is a restless, unstable evil (Wuest) restless evil – lit: uncontrollable evil – see James 1:8 it (the tongue) is full of deadly poison deadly poison – lit: death-bring poison