📖 James — Chapter 3 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, Rknowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is Ra perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
James 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
James 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and Rare driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, Ra world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
James 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, Ris tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is Ran unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:9 Therewith Rbless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, Rthese things ought not so to be.
James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
James 3:12 Can Rthe fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
James 3:13 Who Ris a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, Rglory not, and lie not against the truth.
James 3:15 This Rwisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
James 3:16 For Rwhere envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
James 3:17 But Rthe wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James 3:18 And Rthe fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
James 3:1–5 — Teaching and the tongue's influence
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
James warns teachers of accountability and uses bits and rudders to show the power of a small tongue.
Key Truth: Treat speech as a serious responsibility.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “My ____ , be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive …” (James 3:1)
Find it in James 3:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ , we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they …” (James 3:3)
Find it in James 3:3 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Even so the ____ is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how …” (James 3:5)
Find it in James 3:5 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
James 3:6–12 — The tongue's destructive contradiction
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Speech can ignite harm and combine praise of God with curses against people made in his likeness, a contradiction James rejects.
Key Truth: Let praise of God agree with speech toward people.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “But the ____ can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full …” (James 3:8)
Find it in James 3:8 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “Therewith bless we God, even the ____ ; and therewith curse we men, which are made after …” (James 3:9)
Find it in James 3:9 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “Can the fig ____ , my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? …” (James 3:12)
Find it in James 3:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
James 3:13–18 — Wisdom shown through peace
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Earthly wisdom produces envy and strife; wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, merciful, and fruitful.
Key Truth: Show wisdom through gentle and peaceable conduct.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “Who is a wise man and endued with ____ among you? let him shew out of a good conversation …” (James 3:13)
Find it in James 3:13 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “… where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every ____ work.” (James 3:16)
Find it in James 3:16 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And the fruit of ____ is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3:18)
Find it in James 3:18 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Proverbs 18:21 — Wisdom also describes the tongue's power for death and life.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Which pattern of speech needs to become more truthful and peaceable?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes James 3:1–5 (Teaching and the tongue's influence) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes James 3:6–12 (The tongue's destructive contradiction) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes James 3:13–18 (Wisdom shown through peace) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. What contrast illustrates the tongue's influence?
5. What qualities distinguish the wisdom from above?
Notes
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