Teachers tend to bring in different teachings, producing different opinions and causing trouble and division (cf. 2 Tim. 4:3; 1 Tim. 1:3-4, 7; Eph. 4:14).

Whatever we say will be judged, and we will be judged by our word (Matt. 12:36-37).

A wildfire with the power to spread.

An evil fire from Gehenna that contaminates us. Like the wildfire, the tongue spreads its destruction, and like the evil fire, it contaminates our whole body with evils from Gehenna.

The Greek word for course refers generally to anything round or circular that runs or rolls like a wheel. Used figuratively, it indicates a circuit of physical effects, a course, like an orbit around the sun. The word for life means origin, birth, generation. Hence, the phrase can be rendered the wheel of birth, referring figuratively to our human life, which is set in motion at its birth and runs on to its close. The tongue as an evil fire from Gehenna sets on fire our human life, which rolls like a wheel from our birth to our death, with the result that the course of our entire life is wholly under the tongue's evil contamination and corruption.

Signifying the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). See note Matt. 5:22^8d.

The natures of beasts on the land, birds in the air, reptiles in the dust, and creatures in the water have been tamed by the nature of man, which is stronger than all the animal natures. However, even the stronger human nature is not able to tame the tongue.

As a restless evil, the tongue never ceases to do evil. It is full of deadly poison. Evil and death go together with the tongue, which spreads evil and death to contaminate and poison all human beings. It is the same even among Christians.

Referring to a hole, a cave.

In vv. 3-12, in dealing with the problem of the tongue, James, in his wisdom concerning human life, used twenty different items as illustrations: bridles of horses, rudders of ships, a wildfire, the world of unrighteousness, fire from Gehenna, the wheel of birth, beasts, birds, reptiles, creatures of the sea, the human nature, a restless evil, a deadly poison, a spring, a fig tree, olives, a vine, figs, salt (bitter) water, and sweet water. James was rich in wisdom concerning human life, somewhat like Solomon, the wise king of the Old Testament (1 Kings 4:29-34), but not so in wisdom concerning the divine economy. See note James 1:11¹.

Lit., out of.

Conduct (Phil. 1:27).

According to the context, meekness of wisdom should refer here to restraint in speaking. This corresponds with Prov. 10:19. Such meekness equals forbearance and compliance (v. 17), which are in contrast to bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in boasting and lying (v. 14).

The wisdom of having bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in boasting and lying against the truth (v. 14).

Earthly refers to the world, soulish to the natural man, and demonic to the devil and his demons. These three are always linked to one another.

This wisdom includes meekness (v. 13) and the human virtues mentioned in the rest of this verse. All these are characteristics of practical Christian perfection according to James's view, which might have been somewhat under the influence of Old Testament precepts concerning man's behavior, morality, and ethics (Prov. 4:5-8). Such wisdom does not attain to the height of the wisdom concerning the hidden mystery of God's New Testament economy regarding Christ and the church (1 Cor. 2:6-8; Eph. 3:9-11). See note James 1:11¹.

Or, gentle, lenient, sweetly reasonable (Phil. 4:5 and note Phil. 4:5²). I.e., amiable.

Or, yielding; i.e., willing to yield, satisfied with less than is due, easily entreated. Being forbearing and compliant equals being meek (v. 13).

See note Heb. 12:11^1a.

Or, for.