Look also at ships, being so large and being driven by hard winds, they are directed by a very small rudder wherever the helmsman determines. Truth to Learn Like the rudder of a ship, the tongue may be small but it can exert great influence, either good or bad. Behind...
James 3:3 – Bridling Power
Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Truth to Learn A small thing like a horse’s bridle wields great influence over the entire body of the horse. Likewise, our tongue, though small, has great power both for good and...
James 3:2 – Perfectly Bridled
For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Truth to Learn One sign of a mature Christian is the words he or she uses. Behind the Words “Stumble” is translated from ptaiō,...
James 3:1 – Responsible Teaching
My brothers, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we will receive greater judgment. Truth to Learn Within the church, teaching carries a great responsibility and a greater judgment (good or bad) for those who teach. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “let … become” is ginomai,...
James 2:26 – Faith, Dead or Alive?
For just as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is also dead. Truth to Learn If works of faithful obedience to God are not regularly demonstrated in our walk, then we need to determine if we were ever really saved in the first...
James 2:25 – Gentile Faith Works
And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? Truth to Learn Even heathen people perform works of faith, once they believe God’s truth and are converted. Behind the Words “In the same way”...
James 2:24 – Works Prove Faith
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Truth to Learn Your works of obedience confirm that your faith is real and alive. Behind the Words The opening word of this verse in the Greek text is a form of horaō, which literally...
James 2:23 – Reckoned and Called
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called friend of God. Truth to Learn If you believe God’s word, your works will declare it. Behind the Words Back in verse eight of this chapter, we looked...
James 2:22 – Working, Walking Faith
You see that faith worked together with his works, and out of the works faith was perfected. Truth to Learn When we undergo trials in our Christian walk, our obedient works provide evidence of our faith. Behind the Words “See” is translated from the Greek word blepō, which literally refers to...
James 2:21 – Faithful Obedience
Abraham our father – was he not justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Truth to Learn It is our works of obedience to God which demonstrate that our saving faith is genuine. Behind the Words “Father” is translated from the Greek word patēr, which...