Tiago 3
Kenneth Wuest · Citado em PreceptAustin
Tiago 3
Wuest has an accurate paraphrase "the sum total of iniquity." NLT has "a whole world of wickedness." There is an English idiom "a world of trouble," which means "very much trouble." Indeed, this smallest member of our body is also far too often the cause of the largest trouble, "very much trouble!" The tongue is the sum total of iniquity/sin, where "sum total" is defined as the whole amount of something taken into consideration, especially that which cannot be calculated numerically. That's not a bad description of our tongue which is capable of such evil that it cannot be "calculated numerically!" Think of the potential of the tongue which James is depicting with this phrase the very world of iniquity -- it has the power to affect the entire unrighteous, sinful world! If you don't believe this watch some of the current news shows (which really are no longer truly news), the popular fare on television or the box office hits. There is iniquity of all shapes and sizes in these various venues (just another reason I have "fasted from news" for over 2 years, and have subscribed to Vidangel to filter the gratuitous sex, blasphemy of Jesus' great Name and a sewer of curse words). In short, the entire unrighteous world system can find expression through the tongue. The following psalms echo the words of James... Psalm 10:7 His mouth (Whose mouth? see Ps 10:4) is full of curses and deceit and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness. Psalm 12:3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaks great things (cf James 3:5+); Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?” Donald Burdick on world of iniquity - It is as though all the wickedness in the whole world were wrapped up in that little piece of flesh. There are few sins people commit in which the tongue is not involved. (The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Abridged Edition or here) Swindoll on very world of iniquity - What harsh words! James is saying that the full range of iniquity finds an outlet through the tongue. Think about that. It’s virtually impossible to seethe with anger without expressing our rage in words. Bitterness sours our speech. Pride prattles on and on. Hate explodes from the lips. The tongue can suddenly turn an otherwise gentle person into a monster. It’s a “world of iniquity.” (Insights on James, 1 & 2 Peter - Page 66) D Edmond Hiebert on world of iniquity - From the context it seems best to accept that James thinks of the tongue as a vast system of iniquity." (Commentary on James or digital copy) ESV Study Bible on world of iniquity - The tongue represents and puts into expression all the wickedness of the world. (Borrow ESV Study Bible) John
Tiago 3
Wuest says "The tongue is so constituted in our members." Members (3196) see preceding discussion on melos. The parts of our body. Defiles (stains, pollutes, corrupts, infects) (4695)(spiloo from spilos) means stained, defiled, contaminated or soiled. See the contrasting word aspilos in James 1:27 ("unstained"). The only other NT use is Jude 1:23+ "save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted (spiloo in perfect tense) by the flesh." James uses the antonym of spilos describing "Pure and undefiled religion" as he who keeps (enabled by the Holy Spirit) "oneself unstained (aspilos) by the (unholy) world." (James 1:27+) This would imply he also keeps himself unstained by his words which are a world of iniquity. And sets on fire the course of our life - NET translates it as the tongue is that which "sets fire to the course of human existence." Literally "the wheel of birth ("wheel of existence")." This is a difficult phrase to decipher but probably refers to the entire sphere of human existence, the unending span of life stretching from birth to death. The idea seems to be that the tongue's evil effects can extend beyond the individual to affect everything in a person's sphere ("wheel") of influence. James has just said the evil effects of the tongue can permeate our personality, but now widens the sphere of influence to our entire life. In short, the tongue is capable of disrupting everything! Ronald Blue has a picturesque interpretation of the course of our life - It is as though the tongue is at the center or hub of the wheel of nature and, like a fireworks display, the wheel is set on fire at the center. The more it burns, the faster it revolves until the whole wheel spins in a blaze, spitting fire in all directions. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary - Page 28) Max Anders on the course of our life - A misused tongue may affect the cycle of life from birth onward! (Holman New Testament Commentary - Hebrews & James) Grant Osborne on the course of our life - Most recent studies (Blomberg and Kamell, Martin, Moo) realize that the phrase had become a more popular idea by James's time, simply meaning the ups and downs of life. Since the tongue is at the center of our life, it sets in motion a conflagration that will destroy "the entire course of your life." (James, 1-2 Peter, Jude, Revelation - Page 72 or James Verse by Verse) John