9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
9 With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image.
9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on James 3:9
Commentary on James 3:1-12
(Read James 3:1-12)
We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. Hell has more to do in promoting the fire of the tongue than men generally think; and whenever men's tongues are employed in sinful ways, they are set on fire of hell. No man can tame the tongue without Divine grace and assistance. The apostle does not represent it as impossible, but as extremely difficult. Other sins decay with age, this many times gets worse; we grow more froward and fretful, as natural strength decays, and the days come on in which we have no pleasure. When other sins are tamed and subdued by the infirmities of age, the spirit often grows more tart, nature being drawn down to the dregs, and the words used become more passionate. That man's tongue confutes itself, which at one time pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to him; and at another time condemns even good men, if they do not use the same words and expressions. True religion will not admit of contradictions: how many sins would be prevented, if men would always be consistent! Pious and edifying language is the genuine produce of a sanctified heart; and none who understand Christianity, expect to hear curses, lies, boastings, and revilings from a true believer's mouth, any more than they look for the fruit of one tree from another. But facts prove that more professors succeed in bridling their senses and appetites, than in duly restraining their tongues. Then, depending on Divine grace, let us take heed to bless and curse not; and let us aim to be consistent in our words and actions.