James 3:9

KJV

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therewith {G1722}{G846} bless we {G2127} God {G2316}, even {G2532} the Father {G3962}; and {G2532} therewith {G1722}{G846} curse we {G2672} men {G444}, which {G3588} are made {G1096} after {G2596} the similitude {G3669} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

With it we bless Adonai, the Father; and with it we curse people, who were made in the image of God.

Berean Standard Bible

With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

American Standard Version

Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
James 3:9 powerfully exposes the profound hypocrisy inherent in using the same tongue to offer praise and worship to God, the Creator, while simultaneously uttering curses and demeaning words against fellow human beings who are uniquely created in God's own image. This verse serves as a stark indictment of inconsistent spiritual practice, highlighting the critical disconnect between outward religious devotion and the inward transformation that should govern all aspects of a believer's speech and relationships.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** James 3 opens with a sobering warning about the immense power and potential destructiveness of the tongue. The apostle dedicates the first eight verses of the chapter to illustrating this point, using vivid metaphors such as a small bit controlling a large horse ([James 3:3](/james/3-3 "James 3:3 - The Tongue's Control")) and a tiny rudder steering a massive ship ([James 3:4](/james/3-4 "James 3:4 - The Tongue's Steering Power")). He emphasizes that the tongue, though small, can boast of great things and is capable of setting a whole forest ablaze ([James 3:5-6](/james/3-5-6 "James 3:5-6 - The Tongue as a Fire")). Prior to verse 9, James declares the tongue to be an "unruly evil, full of deadly poison" ([James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - The Untameable Tongue")). Verse 9 then presents the ultimate contradiction, which is immediately followed by the rhetorical question in [James 3:10](/james/3-10 "James 3:10 - Contradictory Speech"), asking how a fountain can produce both fresh and bitter water, thereby underscoring the moral absurdity of dual-natured speech.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Epistle of James is addressed to "the twelve tribes scattered abroad" ([James 1:1](/james/1-1 "James 1:1 - James's Greeting")), indicating a Jewish-Christian audience dispersed throughout the Roman Empire. James, often considered the brother of Jesus and a leader in the Jerusalem church, writes with a practical, ethical focus, akin to Old Testament wisdom literature. In the ancient world, and particularly within Jewish thought, words carried immense weight and were seen as expressions of the heart and spirit. Blessing God was a central act of worship and piety, while cursing was viewed as a grave offense, often invoking divine judgment. The cultural milieu would have recognized the profound incongruity James highlights, where religious devotion (blessing God) is juxtaposed with social malice (cursing humans), especially given the high regard for human life as created by God, a concept deeply rooted in Jewish tradition.
* **Key Themes:** James 3:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the epistle and broader biblical theology. The most prominent is the **Hypocrisy of Speech**, which exposes a fundamental inconsistency between one's professed faith and their actual conduct. It challenges the notion that religious rituals or outward displays of piety can compensate for a lack of genuine love and respect for others. Another crucial theme is the **Dignity of Humanity**, rooted in the biblical doctrine of the *imago Dei*. The phrase "made after the similitude of God" directly references the creation account in [Genesis 1:26-27](/genesis/1-26-27 "Genesis 1:26-27 - Humanity Created in God's Image"), emphasizing that every human being, regardless of status or character, bears the divine imprint. To curse a person is, therefore, an affront to God's creative act and an assault on the inherent worth He has bestowed upon His creation, echoing the sanctity of human life articulated in [Genesis 9:6](/genesis/9-6 "Genesis 9:6 - The Sanctity of Human Life"). Finally, the verse underscores the **Power of Words**, reinforcing James's broader message in the chapter that words are not neutral; they are potent forces capable of immense good or destructive evil, reflecting the truth that "death and life are in the power of the tongue" as stated in [Proverbs 18:21](/proverbs/18-21 "Proverbs 18:21 - The Power of the Tongue").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bless (Greek, _eulogéō_):** From a compound meaning "well" and "word," this verb signifies to speak well of, to praise, to invoke a benediction upon, or to prosper. In the context of "blessing God," it refers to an act of worship, thanksgiving, and adoration, acknowledging His goodness and sovereignty.
* **curse (Greek, _kataráomai_):** This verb means to execrate, to invoke evil upon, or to doom. It stands in direct opposition to "bless," implying a desire for harm or misfortune upon someone, or to revile and speak ill of them. The stark contrast between "bless" and "curse" highlights the moral and spiritual incongruity James addresses.
* **similitude (Greek, _homoíōsis_):** Derived from a word meaning "to make like," this noun denotes assimilation or resemblance. In this verse, it refers to the likeness or image of God in which humanity was created, as detailed in the Genesis account. This "similitude" implies that humans possess unique capacities—such as rationality, moral agency, creativity, and the ability to relate to God—that reflect aspects of God's nature, making them distinct from all other creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therewith bless we God, even the Father;":** This clause describes the act of worship, where believers use their tongues to praise, adore, and give thanks to God, specifically identified as "the Father." This is a fundamental and expected practice within the Christian faith, representing a vertical relationship of reverence and devotion. The term "therewith" (referring to the tongue, the subject of the preceding verses) emphasizes that the very instrument used for divine praise is also employed for contradictory purposes.
* **"and therewith curse we men,":** This clause presents the shocking contrast. Using the identical instrument—the tongue—believers are found to utter curses or speak ill of other human beings. This horizontal offense stands in direct tension with the vertical act of worship, revealing a profound inconsistency in character and conduct. The "cursing" here can range from harsh criticism, slander, and malicious gossip to outright imprecations.
* **"which are made after the similitude of God.":** This final clause provides the theological justification for why cursing humans is so grievous. It grounds human dignity in the *imago Dei*, the truth that every person is created in the likeness and image of God. This divine imprint bestows inherent worth and sanctity upon humanity. Therefore, to curse a fellow human being is not merely an offense against them, but a direct affront to God Himself, whose image they bear. It devalues what God has uniquely honored.

#### Literary Devices
James 3:9 masterfully employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, or sharp **Contrast**, setting the act of "blessing God" directly against "cursing men." This juxtaposition highlights the glaring hypocrisy and moral absurdity of such contradictory speech. The verse also functions as a **Paradox**, presenting a seemingly impossible and illogical scenario: how can the same source produce such diametrically opposed outcomes? This rhetorical paradox forces the reader to confront the deep inconsistency within their own behavior. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Allusion** to the Genesis creation narrative, specifically the concept of the *imago Dei*, by stating that men are "made after the similitude of God." This allusion provides the foundational theological premise for the verse's ethical demand. Finally, the use of "therewith" (referring to the tongue) is a form of **Metonymy**, where the instrument (the tongue) stands for the action (speech), emphasizing the physical means by which this contradiction is enacted.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
James 3:9 delves into the profound theological truth that genuine worship of God cannot be separated from how we treat our fellow human beings. The *imago Dei* is not merely an abstract theological concept but a foundational reality that demands respect and reverence for every individual. To curse a person who bears God's image is, in essence, to dishonor the Creator Himself. This verse challenges the superficiality of a faith that praises God with the lips but harbors contempt or malice in the heart and expresses it through destructive words. True piety, therefore, extends beyond formal religious acts to encompass the totality of one's life, especially one's speech, reflecting the indivisible nature of love for God and love for neighbor. The unity of these two commands is central to biblical ethics, demonstrating that our horizontal relationships are a litmus test for the authenticity of our vertical relationship with God.

* [Matthew 22:37-39](/matthew/22-37-39 "The Greatest Commandment"): Jesus teaches that the greatest commandment is to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, and the second is like it: to love one's neighbor as oneself. James 3:9 illustrates the violation of the second command, which inevitably undermines the first.
* [1 John 4:20-21](/1_john/4-20-21 "Love for God and Neighbor"): John explicitly states that one cannot claim to love God, whom they have not seen, if they hate their brother, whom they have seen. James's warning about cursing men aligns perfectly with this New Testament emphasis on the inseparable nature of divine and human love.
* [Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Edifying Speech"): Paul exhorts believers to let no corrupting talk come out of their mouths, but only what is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. This positive command provides the antidote to the negative behavior condemned in James 3:9.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
James 3:9 serves as a piercing mirror, inviting every believer to an honest self-examination of their speech patterns. In a world saturated with casual criticism, online vitriol, and divisive rhetoric, this verse calls us back to the foundational truth of human dignity and the sacredness of our words. It challenges us to consider whether our private conversations, social media posts, and public utterances align with the worship we offer to God. If we truly revere God, then that reverence must extend to His creation, particularly humanity, which bears His image. This verse demands consistency: our vertical praise must be matched by horizontal respect and love. It reminds us that our words have immense power—to build up or tear down, to bless or to curse. Cultivating a tongue that consistently honors God means actively choosing to speak life, grace, and truth, even in disagreement, recognizing the divine spark in every person we encounter.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways do I use my tongue to bless God? In what ways might I be inadvertently or intentionally using it to curse others?**
* **How does my understanding of the *imago Dei* (the image of God in humanity) impact the way I speak about and to people, especially those with whom I disagree or find challenging?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to discipline my tongue, ensuring my speech consistently reflects the love and reverence I claim to have for God?**

### FAQ

**What does "made after the similitude of God" truly mean, and why is it so important?**

Answer: The phrase "made after the similitude of God" (Greek: *homoíōsis theoú*) directly references the biblical doctrine of the *imago Dei*, or the "image of God," found in the creation account in [Genesis 1:26-27](/genesis/1-26-27 "Genesis 1:26-27 - Humanity Created in God's Image"). It means that human beings, uniquely among all creation, possess certain qualities, capacities, and a spiritual nature that reflect God's own. This includes rationality, moral consciousness, creativity, the ability to form relationships, and the capacity for spiritual communion with God. It signifies humanity's unique dignity, worth, and responsibility as God's representatives on earth. Its importance lies in the fact that it establishes the inherent value of every human life, regardless of race, gender, status, or any other characteristic. To curse or devalue a person is to assault the very image of God within them, making it an offense not just against the individual, but against God Himself. This concept is foundational to biblical ethics and human rights, as seen in passages like [Genesis 9:6](/genesis/9-6 "Genesis 9:6 - The Sanctity of Human Life"), which prohibits murder because humanity is made in God's image.

**How can I stop the hypocrisy of blessing God but cursing others?**

Answer: Overcoming this hypocrisy requires a deep work of the Holy Spirit and intentional effort. First, it involves **heart examination** ([Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")), recognizing that the tongue often speaks what the heart is full of ([Luke 6:45](/luke/6-45 "Luke 6:45 - The Heart's Overflow")). Repentance for past harmful speech and a genuine desire for change are crucial. Second, cultivate a **renewed mind** ([Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Transformed by the Renewal of Your Mind")) by meditating on God's Word, especially passages that emphasize love, grace, and the dignity of all people. Third, practice **self-control and intentionality** in your words. Before speaking, ask: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it honoring to God and others? ([Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Edifying Speech")). Finally, **pray for divine help** to tame the tongue, acknowledging that "no human being can tame the tongue" on their own ([James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - The Untameable Tongue")), but with God, all things are possible.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
James 3:9 finds its ultimate fulfillment and solution in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of speech that consistently blesses God and honors humanity. Unlike fallen humanity, whose tongues are often a source of both praise and poison, Jesus' words were always pure, truthful, and life-giving, never uttering a curse or a deceitful word ([1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinless Life")). He perfectly demonstrated what it means to love God with all His being and to love His neighbor as Himself, even to the point of laying down His life for those who cursed Him ([Matthew 22:37-39](/matthew/22-37-39 "The Greatest Commandment")). Through His atoning work on the cross, Jesus addresses the root of our contradictory speech: the sinful heart. He bore the curse of our sin, enabling us to be reconciled to God and to one another ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Furthermore, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live a new life, where the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—transforms our inner being and, consequently, our outward speech ([Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "The Fruit of the Spirit")). Thus, in Christ, the hypocrisy of the tongue can be overcome, as we are conformed to His image, speaking grace and truth, and truly blessing both God and those made in His similitude.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 10:7

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue [is] mischief and vanity.

Genesis 1:26

¶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Psalms 59:12

[For] the sin of their mouth [and] the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying [which] they speak.

Psalms 62:4

They only consult to cast [him] down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

Genesis 9:6

Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

2 Samuel 19:21

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD'S anointed?