James 3:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing! Brothers, it isn’t right for things to be this way.

Berean Standard Bible:

Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!

American Standard Version:

out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Out of^{G1537} the same^{G846} mouth^{G4750} proceedeth^{G1831} blessing^{G2129} and^{G2532} cursing^{G2671}. My^{G3450} brethren^{G80}, these things^{G5023} ought^{G5534} not^{G3756} so^{G3779} to be^{G1096}.

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Commentary for James 3:10

James 3:10 addresses the inconsistency and hypocrisy that can arise in the speech of believers. The verse is part of a larger discussion on the power and proper use of the tongue, found in James 3:1-12. The historical context of the epistle of James is that it was written to Jewish Christians scattered abroad, likely in the first century AD. These believers were facing various trials and moral challenges, and the letter aims to provide guidance on practical Christian living.

In James 3:10, the author emphasizes that it is incongruous for a person, especially one who claims to follow Christ, to utter both blessings and curses from the same mouth. This contradiction reveals a deeper issue of inner conflict and a lack of self-control, which is a common theme throughout the epistle. James points out that such behavior is inappropriate and suggests a lack of genuine faith, as it reflects a heart that is not fully aligned with God's will.

The broader context of the passage suggests that the tongue is a small member of the body but can have a powerful impact, capable of steering the course of one's life and influencing others for good or ill. James uses vivid metaphors to illustrate the destructive potential of the tongue, comparing it to a fire or a poisonous creature. The call to action is for believers to exhibit consistency between their speech and their faith, demonstrating wisdom that is "pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17).

In summary, James 3:10 confronts the duality of speaking blessings and curses, challenging believers to reflect on the integrity of their speech as a manifestation of their faith. The verse underscores the importance of harmonizing one's words with one's beliefs, thereby avoiding hypocrisy and living out the holistic message of the Gospel in everyday interactions.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1537
   There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκ
   Transliteration: ek
   Pronunciation: ex
   Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
   
2. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4750
   There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: στόμα
   Transliteration: stóma
   Pronunciation: stom'-a
   Description: probably strengthened from a presumed derivative of the base of τομώτερος; the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations); figuratively, an opening (in the earth); specially, the front or edge (of a weapon):--edge, face, mouth.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1831
   There are 216 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐξέρχομαι
   Transliteration: exérchomai
   Pronunciation: ex-er'-khom-ahee
   Description: from ἐκ and ἔρχομαι; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2129
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εὐλογία
   Transliteration: eulogía
   Pronunciation: yoo-log-ee'-ah
   Description: from the same as εὐλογέω; fine speaking, i.e. elegance of language; commendation ("eulogy"), i.e. (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication, consecration; by extension, benefit or largess:--blessing (a matter of) bounty (X -tifully), fair speech.
   
6. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
7. Strong's Number: G2671
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κατάρα
   Transliteration: katára
   Pronunciation: kat-ar'-ah
   Description: from κατά (intensive) and ἀρά; imprecation, execration:--curse(-d, ing).
   
8. Strong's Number: G3450
   There are 471 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μοῦ
   Transliteration: moû
   Pronunciation: moo
   Description: the simpler form of ἐμοῦ; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.
   
9. Strong's Number: G80
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀδελφός
   Transliteration: adelphós
   Pronunciation: ad-el-fos'
   Description: from Α (as a connective particle) and (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like Α):--brother.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5023
    There are 237 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ταῦτα
    Transliteration: taûta
    Pronunciation: tow'-tah
    Description: nominative or accusative case neuter plural of οὗτος; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.
    
11. Strong's Number: G5534
    There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: χρή
    Transliteration: chrḗ
    Pronunciation: khray
    Description: third person singular of the same as χράομαι or χράω used impersonally; it needs (must or should) be:--ought.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
13. Strong's Number: G3779
    There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὕτω
    Transliteration: hoútō
    Pronunciation: hoo'-toce
    Description: adverb from οὗτος; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.
    
14. Strong's Number: G1096
    There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γίνομαι
    Transliteration: gínomai
    Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
    Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.