James has already referred to the need for speech to be under control

(1:19 and 26). He now develops this thought, beginning with a warning to those who are the religious teachers of others (3: 1). James has a great insight into the power of speech. The tongue is a very small part of the body (compare Paul's teaching about the different parts of the body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31) but it enables words to be spoken which can have as alarming a result as a fire in a forest. Very vivid language and comparisons are used to make the readers realize the power of the spoken word and the responsibility each person has in using the power of speech. James uses comparisons which would be well understood by his readers. A horse is controlled by a small metal bar which fits into its mouth; a large ship is controlled by a small wooden rudder guided by the pilot. The uncontrolled tongue, although so small compared to the rest of the body, 'can boast about great things' (3:5). A small flame can be the source of a great fire (3:5-6) which can destroy a huge forest. 'The tongue that speaks evil sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself.' Fire is a common symbol in the Bible for judgement and destruction.

The tongue which speaks evil is untamable and uncontrollable, 'full of deadly poison' (3:7-8).

 



In 3:9-12, James says what we all know from our experience, that from the one mouth we hear words of thanksgiving contrasted with words of cursing, and the writer warns that this is totally wrong. 3:9 refers to man's created relationship with God, described in Genesis 1:26. What 'pours out of the mouth' comes from the inner spirit of the person. 'No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. A fig tree, my brothers, cannot bear olives; a grapevine cannot bear figs nor can a salty spring produce sweet water' (3: 11-12). These comparisons remind us of Luke 6:43-44.

James' teaching on the power of the spoken word is part of his whole understanding of the relationship between faith and actions and it is in line with what Paul says in Galatians 5: 16-25. The speech of those who are filled with love, joy, peace and the other great qualities which Paul describes, will demonstrate what is in them. The speech of those who are controlled by their sinful human nature will, unfortunately, reflect that too.