CHAPTER 3
James 3:1-5 | |
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. | 1 Nolite plures magistri fieri, fratres mei; scientes quod majus judicium sumpturi sumus. |
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. | 2 In multis enim labimur omnes: si quis in sermone non labitur, hic perfectus est vir, ut qui posssit fraeno moderari totum etiam corpus. |
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. | 3 Ecce equis fraena in ora injicimus, ut obediant nobis; et totum illorum corpus circumagimus: |
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. | 4 Ecce etiam naves, cum tantae sint, et a saevis ventis pulsentur, circumagnuntur a minimo gubernaculo, quocunque affectus dirigentis voluerit: |
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. | 5 Ita et lingua pusillum membrum est, et magna jactat. |
1.
And that he forbade them to be many, it was done for this reason, because many everywhere did thrust in themselves; for it is, as it were, an innate disease in mankind to seek reputation by blaming others. And, in this respect, a twofold vice prevails -- though few excel in wisdom, yet all intrude indiscriminately into the office of masters; and then few are influenced by a right feeling, for hypocrisy and ambition stimulate them, and not a care for the salvation of their brethren. For it is to be observed, that James does not discourage those brotherly admonitions, which the Spirit so often and so much recommends to us, but that immoderate desire to condemn, which proceeds from ambition and pride, when any one exalts himself against his neighbor, slanders, carps, bites, and malignantly seeks for what he may turn to a sinister purpose: for this is usually done when impertinent censors of this kind insolently boast themselves in the work of exposing the vices of others.
From this outrage and annoyance James recalls us; and he adds a reason, because they who are thus severe towards others shall undergo a heavier judgment: for he imposes a hard law on himself, who tries the words and deeds of others according to the rule of extreme rigor; nor does he deserve pardon, who will pardon none. This truth ought to be carefully observed, that they who are too rigid towards their brethren, provoke against themselves the severity of God.
2.
"considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
(Galatians 6:1.)
For there is nothing which serves more to moderate extreme rigor than the knowledge of our own infirmity.
He then indirectly touches here on the hypocrisy of censors, because in examining themselves they omitted the chief thing, and that was of great moment even their evil-speaking; for they who reproved others pretended a zeal for perfect holiness, but they ought to have begun with the tongue, if they wished to be perfect. As they made no account of bridling the tongue, but, on the contrary, did bite and tear others, they exhibited only a fictitious sanctity. It is hence evident that they were the most reprehensible of all, because they neglected a primary virtue. This connection renders the meaning of the Apostle plain to us.
3.
I have rendered what Erasmus has translated the impetuosity, the inclination, of the pilot or guide; for
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