Catholic Commentary on James 3

"The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (James 3:17)

Taming the Tongue

Not many should presume to be teachers; teachers will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what they say, they are perfect. The tongue is a small part of the body but it makes great boasts. Consider how a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals have been tamed, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. This should not be.

The Catechism draws from James 3 its treatment of sins of speech: lying, detraction, calumny, rash judgment. The tongue is the instrument of great good and great evil, and the discipline of speech is a spiritual practice as serious as fasting and prayer (CCC 2477).

The Wisdom from Above

Who is wise and understanding? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if they harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition, that is earthly wisdom, unspiritual, demonic. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. The contrast between the two wisdoms is the contrast between every kind of human community that organises itself around competition and every community that organises itself around the peace that comes from above.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, with the same tongue we praise God and curse people made in his likeness. This should not be. Notice your tongue today. Not in the formal moments of prayer and teaching but in the informal moments: what do you say about absent people? What do you say under your breath? The tongue that has been tamed for worship and untamed for gossip is the tongue James describes. Ask God to bring them into alignment.

Prayer

Lord God, tame our tongues with your wisdom from above. Give us speech that is pure and peace-loving and full of mercy. Free us from the bitter envy and selfish ambition that produce disorder. Let our mouths praise you and bless those made in your image. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

3
Taming the Tongue
(Psalms 64:1–10)
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
 
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. 4 Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
 
5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.* 3:6 Greek Gehenna
 
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
 
9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! 11 Can both fresh water and salt water † 3:11 Literally Can both fresh and bitter flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring ‡ 3:12 Literally Neither can salt produce fresh water.
The Wisdom from Above
 
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
 
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.§ 3:18 Literally But the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those making peace.

*3:6 3:6 Greek Gehenna

†3:11 3:11 Literally Can both fresh and bitter

‡3:12 3:12 Literally Neither can salt

§3:18 3:18 Literally But the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those making peace.

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