1 The Untamable Tongue My brethren, (Matt. 23:8); Rom. 2:21;1 Tim. 1:7 let not many of you become teachers, Luke 6:37 knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
2 For 1 Kin. 8:46 we all stumble in many things. Ps. 34:13 If anyone does not stumble in word, (Matt. 12:34–37; James 3:2–12) he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Indeed, Ps. 32:9 we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.
4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
5 Even so Prov. 12:18; 15:2; James 1:26 the tongue is a little member and Ps. 12:3; 73:8 boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
6 And Ps. 120:2, 3; Prov. 16:27 the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it (Matt. 12:36; 15:11, 18) defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, Ps. 140:3; Eccl. 10:11; Rom. 3:13 full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made Gen. 1:26; 5:1; 9:6;1 Cor. 11:7 in the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
12 Can a Matt. 7:16–20 fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
13 Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom Gal. 6:4 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have Rom. 13:13 bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, Rom. 2:17 do not boast and lie against the truth.
15 Phil. 3:19 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
16 For 1 Cor. 3:3 where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
17 But 1 Cor. 2:6, 7 the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, James 2:1 without partiality Rom. 12:9;2 Cor. 6:6;1 Pet. 1:22 and without hypocrisy.
18 Prov. 11:18; Is. 32:17; Hos. 10:12; Amos 6:12; (Gal. 6:8; Phil. 1:11) Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.