12
My brothers,ἀδελφοί μουa fig treeσυκῆcannotμὴ δύναταιproduceποιῆσαιolives,ἐλαίαςorἢa vineἄμπελοςfigs,σῦκαcan it?Neitherοὔτεcan salt waterἁλυκὸνproduceποιῆσαιsweetγλυκὺwater.ὕδωρ
James 3:12
Study it in the app“My brothers, a fig tree cannot produce olives, or a vine figs, can it? Neither can salt water produce sweet water.”
James: the tongue, small like a bit or a rudder, is a fire that no one can tameThe Tongue
With the Greek beneath
James 3:12, word by word
- My brothersἀδελφοίadelphoi
brother in faith
A believer, of the same family of God through the Messiah.
Where else “adelphoi” appears- a fig treeσυκῆsykē
fig tree
Fig tree.
Where else “sykē” appears- cannotδύναταιdynatai
can, be able
Can, be able.
Where else “dynatai” appears- produceποιῆσαιpoiēsai
bear fruit
To produce fruit, like a tree; in life, deeds that can be seen.
Where else “poiēsai” appears- olivesἐλαίαςelaias
olive
The olive, the fruit of the olive tree.
Where else “elaias” appears- a vineἄμπελοςampelos
vine
Vine, grapevine.
Where else “ampelos” appears- figsσῦκαsyka
fig
Fig.
Where else “syka” appears- Neitherοὔτεoute
neither, nor
Neither, nor.
Where else “oute” appears- can salt waterἁλυκὸνhalykon
salty
Salty, salt.
Where else “halykon” appears- sweetγλυκὺglyky
sweet
Sweet; of water, fresh.
Where else “glyky” appears- waterὕδωρhydōr
water
The liquid of rivers, wells and rain, for drinking and washing.
Where else “hydōr” appears
Translation note· on the manuscripts
Many manuscripts read “So no spring gives both salt and sweet water.”
The context
11A spring does not pour forth from the same opening the sweet and the bitter, does it?
12 · This verse (above)
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct his works in the gentleness of wisdom.
To study James 3 in a group
1. What it says
What images does James use to describe the power of the tongue (v. 3-6)?
2. What it means
Why do you think James contrasts the wisdom "from above" with bitter jealousy and rivalry (v. 13-18)?
3. How I live it
James says blessing and cursing come from the same mouth (v. 9-10). What kind word could you say today?