james 3

Read James 3 at Bible Gateway.

Jam 3:2-8 chiastic structure:

1a) Jam 3:2, We stumble in many things/ he who does not stumble in word is perfect able to bridle the body also;

1b) Jam 3:3-4, We guide a large horse with a small bits + large ships with small rudders;

1c) Jam 3:5-6a, The tongue a little member boasting great things, as a small fire engulfs a large forest/ the tongue is a fire;

central axis) Jam 3:6b, The iniquity among our members is the tongue defiling the whole body;

2c) Jam 3:6c, Tongue sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna;

2b) Jam 3:7, Every animal, bird, creeping thing, sea creature, is tamed by mankind;

2a) Jam 3:8, But nobody can tame the tongue: a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Jam 3:9-18 chiastic structure:

1a) Jam 3:9-10a, From the same mouth comes blessing + cursing/ these things ought not be so;

1a) Jam 3:9, The tongue blesses God + curses men/ from the same mouth blessing + cursing;
central axis) Jam 3:10b, My brothers, these things ought not to be so;
2a) Jam 3:11-12, No spring yields both fresh + bitter water/ a fig tree cannot yield olives;

1b) Jam 3:13, Who is wise? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom;

1c) Jam 3:14, But if you have bitter jealousy + selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast + lie;

central axis) Jam 3:15, This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic;

2c) Jam 3:16, For where jealousy + selfish ambition are, there is confusion + every evil deed;

2b) Jam 3:17, Wisdom from above: pure, peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy + good fruits, without partiality + hypocrisy;

2a) Jam 3:18, The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.