1
Μὴ πολλοὶ διδάσκαλοι γίνεσθε, ἀδελφοί μου, εἰδότες ὅτι μεῖζον κρίμα λημψόμεθα.
Let not many of you become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a greater judgment.
Exhortation / prohibitionasyndetonThe chapter opens with a curb on the eagerness to teach, grounded by a participial clause: teachers incur stricter accountability.
Μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibition)μή: the negative used with non-indicative moods; here with the present imperative, forbidding an ongoing tendency.
πολλοὶmanyNominativepredicate adjective / subject-complementπολύς: 'many'; the warning is against a multitude crowding into the teaching office.
διδάσκαλοιteachersNominativepredicate nominative (of γίνεσθε)διδάσκαλος: 'teacher'; an honored role in the synagogue and early church (cf. Acts 13:1), but here one of grave responsibility.
γίνεσθεbecomePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (prohibition)→ present prohibition (cease/do not habitually)γίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; with μή + present imperative, 'stop becoming' or 'do not be eager to become.'
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; James's characteristic warm direct address (15× in the letter), softening the rebuke.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
εἰδότεςknowingPerf Act Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · οἶδαcausal participle→ intensive perfect (οἶδα with present sense)οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present meaning); the participle grounds the prohibition — 'because you know.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of εἰδότες)
μεῖζονgreaterAccusativeattributive adjectiveμέγας (compar. μείζων): 'greater'; teachers are held to a stricter standard of accountability.
κρίμαjudgmentAccusativedirect object of λημψόμεθακρίμα: 'verdict, judgment'; here the eschatological sentence — the result, not merely the process.
λημψόμεθαwe will receiveFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ predictive futureλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; the first-person plural includes James himself among the teachers under scrutiny.
2
πολλὰ γὰρ πταίομεν ἅπαντες. εἴ τις ἐν λόγῳ οὐ πταίει, οὗτος τέλειος ἀνήρ, δυνατὸς χαλιναγωγῆσαι καὶ ὅλον τὸ σῶμα.
For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
Ground (universality of stumbling)γάρThe reason for the stricter judgment: all stumble, and most of all in speech; mastery of the tongue is the mark of completeness.
πολλὰin many waysAccusativeadverbial accusative (respect)πολύς: 'many things'; the neuter plural functions adverbially — 'in many respects.'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
πταίομενwe stumblePres Act Indic 1 Pl · πταίωmain verb→ gnomic presentπταίω: 'stumble, trip,' figuratively 'sin, err' (cf. 2:10); a universal truth of moral failure.
ἅπαντεςallNominativesubject (intensive 'all')ἅπας: strengthened πᾶς, 'all together, every one'; James includes himself — no one is exempt.
εἴifconjunction (1st-class condition)
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
λόγῳwordDativedat. of sphere (the arena of stumbling)λόγος: 'word, speech'; speech is the hardest sphere in which to avoid stumbling — the chapter's theme.
οὐnotnegative (with indicative)
πταίειstumblesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πταίωverb of protasis→ gnomic present
οὗτοςthis oneNominativesubject (demonstrative, resumptive)
τέλειοςperfect/completeNominativepredicate adjectiveτέλειος: 'complete, mature, perfect'; a key Jamesian word (1:4) — wholeness, not flawlessness; mastery of speech proves it.
ἀνήρmanNominativepredicate noun (with τέλειος)ἀνήρ: 'man, husband'; here generic for a person of full maturity.
δυνατὸςableNominativepredicate adjective (apposition)δυνατός: 'able, capable'; the mastery of the tongue entails mastery of the whole self.
χαλιναγωγῆσαιto bridleAor Act Inf · χαλιναγωγέωepexegetical/complementary infinitive (of δυνατός)→ constative aoristχαλιναγωγέω: 'lead by a bridle, control' (χαλινός 'bit' + ἄγω); rare, of James (cf. 1:26) — anticipates the bit-image of v.3.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction
ὅλονwholeAccusativeattributive adjectiveὅλος: 'whole, entire'; the part (tongue) controls the whole (body) — the disproportion that follows.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
σῶμαbodyAccusativedirect object of χαλιναγωγῆσαισῶμα: 'body'; the whole person, controllable through control of the tongue.
3
εἰ δὲ τῶν ἵππων τοὺς χαλινοὺς εἰς τὰ στόματα βάλλομεν εἰς τὸ πείθεσθαι αὐτοὺς ἡμῖν, καὶ ὅλον τὸ σῶμα αὐτῶν μετάγομεν.
Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well.
Illustration (the bit)δὲFirst analogy: a small bit in the mouth turns the whole horse — a part governing the whole.
εἰifconjunction (1st-class condition)
δὲnow/buttransitional conjunction
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἵππωνhorsesGenitivegenitive of possession (the horses' mouths)ἵππος: 'horse'; the first of the chapter's small-controls-great images.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
χαλινοὺςbitsAccusativedirect object of βάλλομενχαλινός: 'bit, bridle'; the small instrument by which the whole animal is mastered (cf. χαλιναγωγέω, v.2).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)
τὰtheAccusativearticle
στόματαmouthsAccusativeobject of εἰς (place into which)στόμα: 'mouth'; the point of control — apt, since the tongue too is in the mouth.
βάλλομενwe putPres Act Indic 1 Pl · βάλλωverb of protasis→ gnomic presentβάλλω: 'throw, put, place'; here simply 'put/insert.'
εἰςforpreposition + articular inf. (purpose)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes inf.)
πείθεσθαιto obeyPres Mid/Pass Inf · πείθωarticular infinitive (purpose, after εἰς τό)→ present (purpose)πείθω (mid./pass.): 'be persuaded, obey'; the bit's aim is the horse's compliance.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
ἡμῖνusDativedat. of person (object of πείθεσθαι)
καὶalso/evenadverbial conjunction (apodosis)
ὅλονwholeAccusativeattributive adjective
τὸtheAccusativearticle
σῶμαbodyAccusativedirect object of μετάγομενσῶμα: here the horse's whole body, turned by the small bit.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
μετάγομενwe guide/turn aboutPres Act Indic 1 Pl · μετάγωverb of apodosis→ gnomic presentμετάγω: 'lead about, direct, turn' (μετά + ἄγω); recurs of the ship's rudder in v.4 — a deliberate link.
4
ἰδοὺ καὶ τὰ πλοῖα, τηλικαῦτα ὄντα καὶ ὑπὸ ἀνέμων σκληρῶν ἐλαυνόμενα, μετάγεται ὑπὸ ἐλαχίστου πηδαλίου ὅπου ἡ ὁρμὴ τοῦ εὐθύνοντος βούλεται.
Behold also the ships, though they are so large and driven by strong winds, are guided by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the steersman wills.
Illustration (the rudder)καὶSecond analogy: a tiny rudder turns a huge ship against strong winds — again the small governs the great.
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (attention-getter)ἰδού: 'look! see!'; a frozen aorist imperative of εἶδον used as a demonstrative particle.
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
τὰtheNominativearticle
πλοῖαshipsNominativesubject (of μετάγεται, neut. pl.)πλοῖον: 'ship, boat'; the second small-controls-great image, common in moralist literature.
τηλικαῦταso largeNominativepredicate of ὄντα (concessive)τηλικοῦτος: 'so great, so large'; stresses the disproportion with the small rudder.
ὄνταbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · εἰμίconcessive participle ('though they are')→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)
ἀνέμωνwindsGenitivegenitive of agency (with ἐλαυνόμενα)ἄνεμος: 'wind'; the powerful forces against which the small rudder still prevails.
σκληρῶνstrong/harshGenitiveattributive adjectiveσκληρός: 'hard, harsh, fierce'; of rough, violent winds.
ἐλαυνόμεναbeing drivenPres Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Neut · ἐλαύνωconcessive participle (parallel to ὄντα)→ present (concurrent)ἐλαύνω: 'drive, propel'; of ships driven by wind (cf. 2 Pet 2:17).
μετάγεταιis guidedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · μετάγωmain verb (neut. pl. subject → sing. verb)→ gnomic presentμετάγω: 'direct, turn' (cf. v.3); the same verb binds the two images of control.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (means/agency)
ἐλαχίστουvery smallGenitiveattributive adjective (superlative)ἐλάχιστος: 'smallest, least' (superlative of μικρός); underscores the tiny instrument's power.
πηδαλίουrudderGenitivegenitive of means (the steering instrument)πηδάλιον: 'rudder, steering-oar'; only here and Acts 27:40 in the NT.
ὅπουwhereveradverb/conjunction (place)ὅπου: 'where, wherever'; introduces the direction set by the helmsman's intent.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ὁρμὴimpulseNominativesubject of βούλεταιὁρμή: 'impulse, inclination, intent'; the steersman's will determines the course.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (substantizes ptc.)
εὐθύνοντοςsteersmanPres Act Ptc · Gen Sg Masc · εὐθύνωsubstantival participle (subjective gen.)→ present (general)εὐθύνω: 'make straight, steer, guide'; the participle = 'the one steering,' the helmsman.
βούλεταιwillsPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · βούλομαιverb of relative/place clause→ gnomic presentβούλομαι: 'will, wish, intend'; deliberate volition — the rudder obeys the steersman's purpose.
5
οὕτως καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα μικρὸν μέλος ἐστὶν καὶ μεγάλα αὐχεῖ. ἰδοὺ ἡλίκον πῦρ ἡλίκην ὕλην ἀνάπτει·
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. Behold how small a fire kindles how great a forest!
Application + new image (fire)οὕτωςThe two images are applied: the tongue, small but boastful; then a hinge to the fire-image — small spark, vast blaze.
οὕτωςsoadverb (drawing the comparison)οὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; applies the bit/rudder analogies to the tongue.
καὶalsoadverbial conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
γλῶσσαtongueNominativesubjectγλῶσσα: 'tongue'; the chapter's central subject — organ of speech and metonym for speech itself.
μικρὸνsmallNominativeattributive adjective (predicate)μικρός: 'small, little'; the tongue's smallness vs. its great effects (cf. bit, rudder).
μέλοςmemberNominativepredicate nominativeμέλος: 'limb, member' (of the body); a tiny bodily part with outsized power.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ gnomic present
καὶyet/andcoordinating conjunction (adversative force)
μεγάλαgreat thingsAccusativedirect object (neut. pl. substantival)μέγας: 'great'; the neuter plural as 'great things' — the object of the tongue's boast.
αὐχεῖboastsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · αὐχέωmain verb→ gnomic presentαὐχέω: 'boast, vaunt'; a NT hapax — the tongue 'talks big.'
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjectionἰδού: 'look!'; introduces the fire-image abruptly.
ἡλίκονhow smallNominativeinterrogative/exclamatory adjectiveἡλίκος: 'how great/small'; size-correlative, here 'how little' (the spark) against 'how great' the blaze.
πῦρfireNominativesubject of ἀνάπτειπῦρ: 'fire'; the destructive image taken up of the tongue in v.6.
ἡλίκηνhow greatAccusativeexclamatory adjective (with ὕλην)ἡλίκος: here the larger correlative — a great forest set ablaze by a small flame.
ὕληνforest/woodAccusativedirect object of ἀνάπτειὕλη: 'wood, forest, brushwood'; the fuel a small spark consumes.
ἀνάπτειkindlesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνάπτωmain verb (exclamatory clause)→ gnomic presentἀνάπτω: 'kindle, set alight' (ἀνά + ἅπτω); the tongue's destructive ignition.
6
καὶ ἡ γλῶσσα πῦρ, ὁ κόσμος τῆς ἀδικίας· ἡ γλῶσσα καθίσταται ἐν τοῖς μέλεσιν ἡμῶν, ἡ σπιλοῦσα ὅλον τὸ σῶμα καὶ φλογίζουσα τὸν τροχὸν τῆς γενέσεως καὶ φλογιζομένη ὑπὸ τῆς γεέννης.
And the tongue is a fire, the world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the course of life, and itself set on fire by Gehenna.
Identification (the tongue as fire)καὶThe fire-image is made explicit: the tongue is a fire, a 'world of unrighteousness,' defiling, inflaming, and itself fueled by hell. A notoriously compressed verse.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
γλῶσσαtongueNominativesubject
πῦρa fireNominativepredicate nominative (copula implied)πῦρ: 'fire'; the metaphor now stated as identity — the tongue is a fire.
ὁtheNominativearticle
κόσμοςworldNominativepredicate nominative (apposition)κόσμος: 'world, sum-total'; here 'a whole world (system) of iniquity' — the phrase is famously difficult.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ἀδικίαςunrighteousnessGenitiveattributive/qualitative genitiveἀδικία: 'unrighteousness, wickedness'; the tongue concentrates the world's evil.
ἡtheNominativearticle
γλῶσσαtongueNominativesubject (resumptive)
καθίσταταιis set/constitutedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb→ gnomic presentκαθίστημι: 'set, appoint, constitute' (pass. 'is placed/becomes'); the tongue takes its place among the members.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (place)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
μέλεσινmembersDativedat. of place (among the members)μέλος: 'member, limb'; the tongue among the body's parts (cf. v.5).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession
ἡthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
σπιλοῦσαdefilingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · σπιλόωattributive participle (predicate)→ present (characteristic)σπιλόω: 'stain, defile' (cf. 1:27 ἄσπιλον); the tongue blots the whole person.
ὅλονwholeAccusativeattributive adjective
τὸtheAccusativearticle
σῶμαbodyAccusativedirect object of σπιλοῦσα
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φλογίζουσαsetting on firePres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · φλογίζωattributive participle (parallel)→ present (characteristic)φλογίζω: 'set ablaze, ignite' (φλόξ 'flame'); only here in the NT (both forms).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
τροχὸνcourse/wheelAccusativedirect object of φλογίζουσατροχός: 'wheel, course'; τὸν τροχὸν τῆς γενέσεως = 'the wheel/course of life' — a debated idiom for the whole round of existence.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
γενέσεωςof existence/birthGenitiveattributive genitiveγένεσις: 'origin, existence, life'; 'the course of our coming-to-be,' the whole span of natural life.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
φλογιζομένηbeing set on firePres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · φλογίζωattributive participle (passive turn)→ present (concurrent)φλογίζω (pass.): the tongue, itself inflamed by a hellish source — the climax of the fire-chain.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency/source)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γεέννηςGehenna/hellGenitivegenitive of source/agencyγέεννα: 'Gehenna' (Heb. gê-hinnōm, the valley of Hinnom); the place of fiery judgment — the tongue's evil is diabolical in origin.
7
πᾶσα γὰρ φύσις θηρίων τε καὶ πετεινῶν, ἑρπετῶν τε καὶ ἐναλίων δαμάζεται καὶ δεδάμασται τῇ φύσει τῇ ἀνθρωπίνῃ·
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, is being tamed and has been tamed by the human kind;
Ground (the untamable tongue)γάρAn a fortiori: humans tame all the orders of creatures — yet, by contrast (v.8), cannot tame their own tongue.
πᾶσαeveryNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'every, all'; the comprehensive sweep — every order of creature.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
φύσιςkind/natureNominativesubjectφύσις: 'nature, kind, species'; here 'every species' of animal life — echoing the fourfold division of Gen 1 / 9:2.
θηρίωνof beastsGenitivepartitive/epexegetical genitiveθηρίον: 'wild animal, beast'; the first of the four classes.
τεboth/andcorrelative particle (τε … καί)τε: connective particle, here pairing the four orders of animals.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πετεινῶνof birdsGenitiveepexegetical genitiveπετεινόν: 'bird, winged creature'; the second class (cf. Gen 9:2).
ἑρπετῶνof reptilesGenitiveepexegetical genitiveἑρπετόν: 'creeping thing, reptile'; the third class.
τεboth/andcorrelative particle
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐναλίωνof sea creaturesGenitiveepexegetical genitive (substantival adj.)ἐνάλιος: 'in the sea, marine'; substantival 'sea creatures' — the fourth class; NT hapax.
δαμάζεταιis tamedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · δαμάζωmain verb (present)→ gnomic presentδαμάζω: 'subdue, tame'; of mastering animals — and, by contrast, what cannot be done to the tongue.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δεδάμασταιhas been tamedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · δαμάζωmain verb (perfect)→ consummative perfect (settled achievement)δαμάζω (perf.): the doubling (present + perfect) stresses humanity's enduring mastery over all creatures.
τῇtheDativearticle
φύσειkindDativedat. of agency/means ('by the kind')φύσις: here 'the human race/kind' as the agent of taming — a deliberate echo of φύσις above.
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀνθρωπίνῃhumanDativeattributive adjectiveἀνθρώπινος: 'human, belonging to mankind'; the taming agent is human nature itself.
8
τὴν δὲ γλῶσσαν οὐδεὶς δαμάσαι δύναται ἀνθρώπων· ἀκατάστατον κακόν, μεστὴ ἰοῦ θανατηφόρου.
but no one of men is able to tame the tongue — a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Contrast (the untamable tongue)δὲThe sharp antithesis to v.7: every creature can be tamed, but the tongue, no human can — a restless evil brimming with deadly venom.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunction
γλῶσσανtongueAccusativedirect object (fronted for emphasis)γλῶσσα: the tongue, here placed first for contrastive emphasis.
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (negative pronoun)οὐδείς: 'no one'; the absolute negation — the human taming of v.7 fails entirely here.
δαμάσαιto tameAor Act Inf · δαμάζωcomplementary infinitive (of δύναται)→ constative aoristδαμάζω: 'tame' (cf. v.7); deliberately repeated to sharpen the contrast.
δύναταιis ablePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb→ gnomic presentδύναμαι: 'be able'; the human incapacity is stated as a general truth.
ἀνθρώπωνof menGenitivepartitive genitive (with οὐδείς)ἄνθρωπος: 'man, human'; 'no one among humans' — only God masters the tongue.
ἀκατάστατονrestlessNominativeattributive adjective (predicate, in apposition)ἀκατάστατος: 'unstable, restless, disorderly' (cf. 1:8); the tongue is never at rest in its mischief.
κακόνevilNominativepredicate noun (apposition to γλῶσσα)κακός: 'evil, bad'; the substantival 'an evil' summing the tongue's character.
μεστὴfullNominativepredicate adjective (apposition)μεστός: 'full of' (+ gen.); the tongue brims with venom.
ἰοῦof poisonGenitivegenitive of content (with μεστή)ἰός: 'poison, venom' (also 'rust'); the serpent's venom — evoking Ps 140:3 (LXX 139:4).
θανατηφόρουdeadlyGenitiveattributive adjectiveθανατηφόρος: 'death-bearing, deadly' (θάνατος + φέρω); NT hapax — the tongue's venom kills.
9
ἐν αὐτῇ εὐλογοῦμεν τὸν κύριον καὶ πατέρα, καὶ ἐν αὐτῇ καταρώμεθα τοὺς ἀνθρώπους τοὺς καθ' ὁμοίωσιν θεοῦ γεγονότας·
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made according to the likeness of God.
Indictment (the double use)asyndetonThe hypocrisy exposed: the same instrument blesses God and curses his image-bearers — a self-contradiction nature forbids.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (means/instrument)
αὐτῇitDativedat. of means (the tongue)
εὐλογοῦμενwe blessPres Act Indic 1 Pl · εὐλογέωmain verb→ customary presentεὐλογέω: 'speak well of, bless, praise' (εὖ + λόγος); the proper worship-use of the tongue.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κύριονLordAccusativedirect object of εὐλογοῦμενκύριος: 'Lord'; with πατέρα under one article = the one God, 'the Lord and Father.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πατέραFatherAccusativedirect object (coordinate, one article)πατήρ: 'Father'; 'the Lord and Father' — God as Creator and covenant Father.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (means)
αὐτῇitDativedat. of means (the same tongue)
καταρώμεθαwe cursePres Mid Indic 1 Pl · καταράομαιmain verb→ customary presentκαταράομαι: 'curse, call down evil on'; the contradictory misuse — the opposite of εὐλογέω.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀνθρώπουςmenAccusativedirect object of καταρώμεθαἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; to curse them is to assault the image of God they bear.
τοὺςwhoAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
καθ'according topreposition + accusative (standard)
ὁμοίωσινlikenessAccusativeobject of κατά (norm/pattern)ὁμοίωσις: 'likeness, resemblance'; verbatim from Gen 1:26 LXX (καθ' ὁμοίωσιν) — the imago Dei grounds human dignity.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive (of the likeness)
γεγονόταςwho have been madePerf Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · γίνομαιattributive participle→ intensive perfect (abiding status)γίνομαι (perf.): 'have come to be, have been made'; the perfect marks the enduring fact of humanity's God-likeness.
10
ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ στόματος ἐξέρχεται εὐλογία καὶ κατάρα. οὐ χρή, ἀδελφοί μου, ταῦτα οὕτως γίνεσθαι.
Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, ought not so to be.
Verdict on the contradictionasyndetonThe conclusion drawn: blessing and cursing from one mouth — a moral impossibility James flatly disallows.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
αὐτοῦsameGenitiveattributive (identifying adjective)αὐτός: here 'the same'; the single source from which both come is the scandal.
στόματοςmouthGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)στόμα: 'mouth'; the one outlet of two opposite streams.
ἐξέρχεταιcomes outPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (sing. with compound subject)→ gnomic presentἐξέρχομαι: 'go/come out'; the singular verb gathers blessing and curse as one shameful flow.
εὐλογίαblessingNominativesubject (compound)εὐλογία: 'blessing, praise'; the noun answering to εὐλογοῦμεν (v.9).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κατάραcursingNominativesubject (coordinate)κατάρα: 'curse, cursing'; the noun answering to καταρώμεθα (v.9).
οὐnotnegative (with χρή)
χρήit oughtPres Act Indic 3 Sg (impers.) · χρήimpersonal verb ('it is fitting/necessary')→ gnomic presentχρή: impersonal 'it is necessary/proper'; NT hapax — a strong moral 'ought not.'
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the appeal renewed at the turning point.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
οὕτωςso/thusadverb (manner)οὕτως: 'in this way'; 'to happen thus' — i.e. the contradictory speech.
γίνεσθαιto be/happenPres Mid Inf · γίνομαιinfinitive (subject of χρή)→ present (general)γίνομαι: 'come about, happen'; the infinitive completes the impersonal 'it ought not.'
11
μήτι ἡ πηγὴ ἐκ τῆς αὐτῆς ὀπῆς βρύει τὸ γλυκὺ καὶ τὸ πικρόν;
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening the sweet and the bitter?
Rhetorical question (nature's witness)asyndetonThe first of three nature-analogies, framed to expect 'no': a single spring does not yield both sweet and bitter water.
μήτιsurely not?interrogative particle (expecting 'no')μήτι: marks a question anticipating a negative answer — 'a spring doesn't, does it?'
ἡtheNominativearticle
πηγὴspringNominativesubjectπηγή: 'spring, fountain'; the source-image matching the 'mouth' as source (v.10).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
αὐτῆςsameGenitiveattributive (identifying adjective)αὐτός: 'the same'; echoes 'the same mouth' (v.10) — one source cannot yield contraries.
ὀπῆςopeningGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)ὀπή: 'opening, hole, fissure'; the spring's outlet (cf. the cleft of Heb 11:38); rare.
βρύειpours forthPres Act Indic 3 Sg · βρύωmain verb (question)→ gnomic presentβρύω: 'gush, teem, pour forth'; NT hapax — of a spring bubbling up.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
γλυκὺsweetAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)γλυκύς: 'sweet'; 'the sweet (water)' — fresh, drinkable.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
πικρόνbitterAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)πικρός: 'bitter'; 'the bitter (water)' — brackish, undrinkable; reappears of 'bitter jealousy' (v.14).
12
μὴ δύναται, ἀδελφοί μου, συκῆ ἐλαίας ποιῆσαι ἢ ἄμπελος σῦκα; οὔτε ἁλυκὸν γλυκὺ ποιῆσαι ὕδωρ.
Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine figs? Neither can salt water produce sweet.
Rhetorical questions (nature's witness, continued)asyndetonTwo further analogies clinch the point: trees yield true to kind, and salt water cannot give fresh — so the tongue should not pour out contraries.
μὴsurely not?interrogative negative (expecting 'no')μή: introduces a question anticipating 'no.'
δύναταιis ablePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb (question)→ gnomic presentδύναμαι: 'be able'; nature's fixed limits — a tree cannot bear alien fruit.
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the address again softens and personalizes.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
συκῆfig treeNominativesubjectσυκῆ: 'fig tree'; cf. Jesus' 'by their fruits' teaching (Matt 7:16); each yields its own kind.
ἐλαίαςolivesAccusativedirect object of ποιῆσαιἐλαία: 'olive (tree/fruit)'; here the olives a fig tree cannot bear.
ποιῆσαιto produceAor Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (of δύναται)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'make, produce, bear (fruit)'; idiomatic of plants yielding fruit.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
ἄμπελοςvineNominativesubject (second question, verb gapped)ἄμπελος: 'vine, grapevine'; like the fig, bound to its own fruit.
σῦκαfigsAccusativedirect object (of gapped ποιῆσαι)σῦκον: 'fig (fruit)'; the vine cannot bear figs — nature keeps to kind.
οὔτεneithernegative conjunctionοὔτε: 'and not, neither'; here drawing the third analogy (salt water).
ἁλυκὸνsaltNominativeattributive adjective (with ὕδωρ)ἁλυκός: 'salty, briny' (ἅλς 'salt'); NT hapax — salt water yields no fresh.
γλυκὺsweetAccusativedirect object (substantival/attributive)γλυκύς: 'sweet, fresh'; the fresh water salt water cannot give (cf. v.11).
ποιῆσαιto produceAor Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (of gapped δύναται)→ constative aorist
ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject (of the implied clause)ὕδωρ: 'water'; the salt source cannot become a sweet one — fixity of nature, applied to speech.
13
Τίς σοφὸς καὶ ἐπιστήμων ἐν ὑμῖν; δειξάτω ἐκ τῆς καλῆς ἀναστροφῆς τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ ἐν πραΰτητι σοφίας.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct his works in the meekness of wisdom.
Transition to wisdom (challenge)asyndetonThe second half opens: true wisdom is proven not by talk but by a life of meek good works — a fresh diatribe-style challenge.
ΤίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject)τίς: 'who?'; a diatribe-style question challenging any who claim wisdom.
σοφὸςwiseNominativepredicate adjectiveσοφός: 'wise'; the practical, lived wisdom James prizes (cf. 1:5) — not mere cleverness.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπιστήμωνunderstandingNominativepredicate adjective (coordinate)ἐπιστήμων: 'knowing, discerning, expert'; NT hapax — paired with σοφός (cf. Deut 1:13, 4:6 LXX).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativedat. of sphere (among you)
δειξάτωlet him showAor Act Impv 3 Sg · δείκνυμιmain verb (imperative)→ constative aorist (command)δείκνυμι: 'show, demonstrate'; cf. 2:18 — wisdom, like faith, is shown by works.
ἐκby/frompreposition + genitive (source/means)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
καλῆςgoodGenitiveattributive adjectiveκαλός: 'good, noble, fine'; a beauty/excellence of conduct visible to all.
ἀναστροφῆςconductGenitiveobject of ἐκ (the proving ground)ἀναστροφή: 'manner of life, conduct'; one's whole way of living (a favorite of 1 Peter).
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔργαworksAccusativedirect object of δειξάτωἔργον: 'work, deed'; the Jamesian proof of inner reality (cf. 2:14–26).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)
πραΰτητιmeeknessDativedat. of mannerπραΰτης: 'gentleness, meekness'; strength under control — the hallmark of true wisdom (cf. 1:21).
σοφίαςof wisdomGenitivegenitive of source/qualityσοφία: 'wisdom'; 'the meekness that wisdom produces' — wisdom and gentleness are inseparable.
14
εἰ δὲ ζῆλον πικρὸν ἔχετε καὶ ἐριθείαν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν, μὴ κατακαυχᾶσθε καὶ ψεύδεσθε κατὰ τῆς ἀληθείας.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth.
Contrast (the counterfeit)δὲThe dark alternative: where the heart harbors bitter jealousy and rivalry, any claim to wisdom is a lie against the truth.
εἰifconjunction (1st-class condition)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ζῆλονjealousyAccusativedirect object of ἔχετεζῆλος: 'zeal, jealousy, envy'; positive elsewhere, but here, qualified as 'bitter,' it is destructive rivalry.
πικρὸνbitterAccusativeattributive adjectiveπικρός: 'bitter' (cf. v.11); the embittered envy that poisons community.
ἔχετεyou havePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωverb of protasis→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, hold'; the vices are present and harbored within.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐριθείανselfish ambitionAccusativedirect object (coordinate)ἐριθεία: 'selfish ambition, rivalry, factiousness'; originally 'work for hire'; partisan self-seeking (cf. Phil 1:17).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)
τῇtheDativearticle
καρδίᾳheartDativedat. of place (the inner seat)καρδία: 'heart'; the inner center where these vices take root, unseen but decisive.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
μὴnotnegative (with prohibition)
κατακαυχᾶσθεboastPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · κατακαυχάομαιmain verb (prohibition)→ present prohibitionκατακαυχάομαι: 'boast against, exult over' (κατά intensive); cf. 2:13 — here arrogance over truth itself.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ψεύδεσθεliePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ψεύδομαιmain verb (prohibition, coordinate)→ present prohibitionψεύδομαι: 'lie, speak falsely'; to claim wisdom while envious is to falsify the truth.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (opposition)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἀληθείαςtruthGenitiveobject of κατά (that opposed)ἀλήθεια: 'truth'; the gospel reality against which boastful envy sets itself.
15
οὐκ ἔστιν αὕτη ἡ σοφία ἄνωθεν κατερχομένη, ἀλλὰ ἐπίγειος, ψυχική, δαιμονιώδης.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
Verdict (false wisdom characterized)asyndetonSuch 'wisdom' is exposed by its pedigree: not from above but earthly, merely natural, and devilish — a descending triad.
οὐκnotnegative (with indicative)
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
αὕτηthisNominativesubject (demonstrative)οὗτος: 'this'; pointing back to the envy-driven 'wisdom' of v.14.
ἡtheNominativearticle
σοφίαwisdomNominativepredicate nominativeσοφία: 'wisdom'; the contested term — there is a true and a false claimant.
ἄνωθενfrom aboveadverb (source)ἄνωθεν: 'from above, from heaven' (cf. 1:17); the divine origin true wisdom alone has.
κατερχομένηcoming downPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · κατέρχομαιattributive participle (with σοφία)→ present (characteristic)κατέρχομαι: 'come down, descend'; echoes 1:17 ('every good gift… coming down from above').
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
ἐπίγειοςearthlyNominativepredicate adjectiveἐπίγειος: 'earthly, on the earth' (ἐπί + γῆ); bounded by this world, opposite of ἄνωθεν.
ψυχικήunspiritualNominativepredicate adjectiveψυχικός: 'natural, soulish, unspiritual'; pertaining to the unaided ψυχή, devoid of the Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 2:14; Jude 19).
δαιμονιώδηςdemonicNominativepredicate adjective (climax)δαιμονιώδης: 'demon-like, devilish'; NT hapax — the climactic charge: such wisdom shares the demons' nature.
16
ὅπου γὰρ ζῆλος καὶ ἐριθεία, ἐκεῖ ἀκαταστασία καὶ πᾶν φαῦλον πρᾶγμα.
For where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every vile deed.
Ground (the fruit of false wisdom)γάρProof of its character by its harvest: envy and rivalry breed chaos and every base practice.
ὅπουwhereconjunction (place/condition)ὅπου: 'where'; introduces the maxim — these vices and their fruit always go together.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ζῆλοςjealousyNominativesubject (verb 'is' gapped)ζῆλος: 'jealousy, envy' (cf. v.14); the root of communal discord.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐριθείαselfish ambitionNominativesubject (coordinate)ἐριθεία: 'selfish ambition, rivalry' (cf. v.14); paired again with ζῆλος.
ἐκεῖthereadverb (place, answering ὅπου)ἐκεῖ: 'there'; the inevitable consequence in the same place.
ἀκαταστασίαdisorderNominativepredicate/subject (verb gapped)ἀκαταστασία: 'instability, disorder, tumult' (cf. ἀκατάστατος, 1:8; 3:8); chaos opposed to peace (v.17).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πᾶνeveryNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'every, all'; the breadth of the resulting evil.
φαῦλονvileNominativeattributive adjectiveφαῦλος: 'worthless, base, evil'; morally foul practice (cf. John 3:20; Rom 9:11).
πρᾶγμαdeed/thingNominativesubject (with πᾶν φαῦλον)πρᾶγμα: 'deed, matter, practice'; 'every vile thing/deed' that disorder spawns.
17
ἡ δὲ ἄνωθεν σοφία πρῶτον μὲν ἁγνή ἐστιν, ἔπειτα εἰρηνική, ἐπιεικής, εὐπειθής, μεστὴ ἐλέους καὶ καρπῶν ἀγαθῶν, ἀδιάκριτος, ἀνυπόκριτος.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, sincere.
Contrast (true wisdom characterized)δὲThe bright counterpart: wisdom from above, catalogued in seven graces, headed by purity and crowned by sincerity.
ἡtheNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἄνωθενfrom aboveadverb (attributive, with article)ἄνωθεν: 'from above'; here in attributive position — 'the from-above wisdom' (cf. v.15).
σοφίαwisdomNominativesubjectσοφία: 'wisdom'; the genuine, heaven-sent wisdom of 1:5.
πρῶτονfirstadverb (order/priority)πρῶτον: 'first'; purity heads the list — primary in rank, not merely sequence.
μὲνindeedparticle (μέν … ἔπειτα)μέν: correlative with ἔπειτα — 'first… then.'
ἁγνήpureNominativepredicate adjectiveἁγνός: 'pure, holy, undefiled'; moral purity, the foundational virtue of true wisdom.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ἔπειταthenadverb (sequence, answering μέν)ἔπειτα: 'then, next'; introduces the remaining virtues after purity.
εἰρηνικήpeaceableNominativepredicate adjectiveεἰρηνικός: 'peaceable, peace-loving'; opposite of the disorder (ἀκαταστασία) of v.16; sets up v.18.
ἐπιεικήςgentleNominativepredicate adjectiveἐπιεικής: 'gentle, forbearing, considerate'; yielding one's rights for others' sake (cf. Phil 4:5).
εὐπειθήςopen to reasonNominativepredicate adjectiveεὐπειθής: 'compliant, willing to yield, easily persuaded' (εὖ + πείθομαι); NT hapax — teachable, not obstinate.
μεστὴfullNominativepredicate adjectiveμεστός: 'full of' (+ gen.); contrast v.8, where the tongue is 'full of' deadly poison.
ἐλέουςof mercyGenitivegenitive of content (with μεστή)ἔλεος: 'mercy, compassion'; active pity that helps (cf. 2:13).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καρπῶνof fruitsGenitivegenitive of content (coordinate)καρπός: 'fruit'; the good deeds wisdom yields (cf. the harvest of v.18).
ἀγαθῶνgoodGenitiveattributive adjectiveἀγαθός: 'good'; morally good fruits that benefit others.
ἀδιάκριτοςimpartialNominativepredicate adjectiveἀδιάκριτος: 'impartial, undivided, without wavering' (ά- + διακρίνω); NT hapax — free of the partiality of 2:1–4.
ἀνυπόκριτοςsincereNominativepredicate adjective (climax)ἀνυπόκριτος: 'unhypocritical, sincere, genuine' (ά- + ὑποκρίνομαι 'play-act'); without pretense (cf. Rom 12:9).
18
καρπὸς δὲ δικαιοσύνης ἐν εἰρήνῃ σπείρεται τοῖς ποιοῦσιν εἰρήνην.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Conclusion (the harvest of peace)δὲA closing proverb seals the contrast: righteousness is harvested where peacemakers sow in peace — peace, not strife, is wisdom's soil.
καρπὸςfruitNominativesubjectκαρπός: 'fruit, harvest, yield'; the produce of the peace-sown life (cf. καρπῶν, v.17).
δὲand/nowtransitional conjunction
δικαιοσύνηςof righteousnessGenitivegenitive (epexegetical/of production)δικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness'; either the fruit consisting in righteousness, or that righteousness produces — both flow from peace.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/sphere)
εἰρήνῃpeaceDativedat. of manner/sphere (the conditions of sowing)εἰρήνη: 'peace'; the atmosphere in which the seed of righteousness is sown — the key word of the close.
σπείρεταιis sownPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · σπείρωmain verb→ gnomic presentσπείρω: 'sow'; the agricultural metaphor — present action, eventual harvest of righteousness.
τοῖςby thoseDativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ποιοῦσινwho makePres Act Ptc · Dat Pl Masc · ποιέωsubstantival participle (dat. of agency/advantage)→ present (characteristic)ποιέω: 'make, do'; οἱ ποιοῦντες εἰρήνην = 'the peacemakers' (cf. Matt 5:9) — agents (or beneficiaries) of the sowing.
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativedirect object of ποιοῦσινεἰρήνη: 'peace'; repeated to frame the verse — peace both the means and the work of the wise.