1Do not all be teachers, my brothers, because we teachers will be judged more hardly than others. 2For we all go wrong in a number of things. If a man never makes a slip in his talk, then he is a complete man and able to keep all his body in control. 3Now if we put bits of iron into horses' mouths so that they may be guided by us, we have complete control of their bodies. 4And again ships, though they are so great and are moved by violent winds, are turned by a very small guiding-blade, at the impulse of the man who is using it. 5Even so the tongue is a small part of the body, but it takes credit for great things. How much wood may be lighted by a very little fire! 6And the tongue is a fire; it is the power of evil placed in our bodies, making all the body unclean, putting the wheel of life on fire, and getting its fire from hell. 7For every sort of beast and bird and every living thing on earth and in the sea has been controlled by man and is under his authority; 8But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death. 9With it we give praise to our Lord and Father; and with it we put a curse on men who are made in God's image. 10Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers, it is not right for these things to be so. 11Does the fountain send from the same outlet sweet and bitter water? 12Is a fig-tree able to give us olives, my brothers, or do we get figs from a vine, or sweet water from the salt sea? 13Who has wisdom and good sense among you? let him make his works clear by a life of gentle wisdom. 14But if you have bitter envy in your heart and the desire to get the better of others, have no pride in this, talking falsely against what is true. 15This wisdom is not from heaven, but is of the earth and the flesh and the Evil One. 16For where envy is, and the desire to get the better of others, there is no order, but every sort of evil-doing. 17But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is. 18And the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace for those who make peace.
Matthew Henry's Commentary
Cautions against proud behaviour, and the mischief of an unruly tongue. (1-12) The excellence of heavenly wisdom, in opposition to that which is worldly. (13-18) 1-12 We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. Hell has more to do in promoting the fire of the tongue than men generally think; and whenever men's tongues are employed in sinful ways, they are set on fire of hell. No man can tame the tongue without Divine grace and assistance. The apostle does not represent it as impossible, but as extremely difficult. Other sins decay with age, this many times gets worse; we grow more froward and fretful, as natural strength decays, and the days come on in which we have no pleasure. When other sins are tamed and subdued by the infirmities of age, the spirit often grows more tart, nature being drawn down to the dregs, and the words used become more passionate. That man's tongue confutes itself, which at one time pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to him; and at another time condemns even good men, if they do not use the same words and expressions. True religion will not admit of contradictions: how many sins would be prevented, if men would always be consistent! Pious and edifying language is the genuine produce of a sanctified heart; and none who understand Christianity, expect to hear curses, lies, boastings, and revilings from a true believer's mouth, any more than they look for the fruit of one tree from another. But facts prove that more professors succeed in bridling their senses and appetites, than in duly restraining their tongues. Then, depending on Divine grace, let us take heed to bless and curse not; and let us aim to be consistent in our words and actions. 13-18 These verses show the difference between men's pretending to be wise, and their being really so. He who thinks well, or he who talks well, is not wise in the sense of the Scripture, if he does not live and act well. True wisdom may be know by the meekness of the spirit and temper. Those who live in malice, envy, and contention, live in confusion; and are liable to be provoked and hurried to any evil work. Such wisdom comes not down from above, but springs up from earthly principles, acts on earthly motives, and is intent on serving earthly purposes. Those who are lifted up with such wisdom, described by the apostle James, is near to the Christian love, described by the apostle Paul; and both are so described that every man may fully prove the reality of his attainments in them. It has no disguise or deceit. It cannot fall in with those managements the world counts wise, which are crafty and guileful; but it is sincere, and open, and steady, and uniform, and consistent with itself. May the purity, peace, gentleness, teachableness, and mercy shown in all our actions, and the fruits of righteousness abounding in our lives, prove that God has bestowed upon us this excellent gift.