Didaskalos Ministries
Original Language Studies
JAMES CHAPTER THREE
INTRODUCTION TO THIS STUDY

The purpose of this study work is to give you the original Greek language words and definitions for all the key words in this selected Bible text. This work does not make any effort to interpret the text in question, though some interpretation may occur naturally as a result of the study. The English translation used is the King James (Authorized) Version, not because it is the best translation available, but because I just plain prefer it for study!

All Scripture text will be presented in normal cased lettering, and all notes within the text will be in TRUE TYPE FONT, as shown. This (I hope) will allow you to avoid confusion between God's Word and my notes. As I update this website, I will continue to embellish the text so that anyone using NETSCAPE or MSIE 3.0 or higher will be able to read the document easier. Greek tenses are abbreviated as follows:

If you discover obvious errors (as I am human, and do make mistakes), please let me know. Do not contact me to argue about the doctrinal differences that you may have with my teaching. I do not argue Theology with anyone, so all Legalists, cultists, and others with extremist views, please save your (and my) time. If you want to discuss your doctrinal differences, or share a viewpoint, please contact me at Didaskalos Ministries. I am not so arrogant as to think I know it all, or even 1% of what the scripture teaches.

 Jms:3:1:

My brethren, be not (PR AC IND, GINOMAI + ME = STOP BECOMING)

many masters, (POLLOI DIDASKALOI = MANY TEACHERS)

knowing (PER AC PART USED AS A PRESENT, OIDA = CONTINUALLY KNOWING)

that we shall receive (FUT MID IND, LAMBANO = WE OURSELVES SHALL RECEIVE)

the greater (MEGAS = GREATER, MUCH MORE SEVERE)

condemnation. (KRINA = DISCIPLINE, JUDGMENT)

Jms:3:2:

For in many things we offend (PTAIO, PR AC IND = CONTINUALLY CAUSE TO STUMBLE, CAUSE AN OFFENSE)

all. If any man (TIS = ANYONE)

offend not in word, (EN + LOCATIVE, LOGOS = IN SPEAKING, IN COMMUNICATION)

the same (HOUPOS = SAME ONE)

is a perfect (TELEIOS = COMPLETE, MATURE, PERFECT)

man, (ANER = NOBLEMAN. A REFERENCE TO THE BELIEVER)

and able (DUNATOS = HAVING INHERENT POWER)

also to bridle (CHALINAGOGEO = TO CONTROL BY USING A BIT)

the whole body.

Jms:3:3:

Behold, (EIDE = NOW IF)

we put bits (CHALINOS = BITS)

in the horses' mouths, that (EIS, PREPOSITION OF PURPOSE = FOR THE PURPOSE THAT)

they may obey (PEITHO, PR MID INF = MAY BE CAUSED TO KEEP ON OBEYING)

us; and we turn about (METAGO, PR AC IND = TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION, STEER, GUIDE)

their whole body.

Jms:3:4:

Behold (IDOU, AO MID IMP = LOOK!)

also the ships, (PLOION = GREEK SHIP WITH A HIGH BOW, MERCHANT SHIP)

which though they be so great, (TELEKOUTOS = LARGE)

and are driven (ELAUNO, PR PAS PART = TO BE PROPELLED)

of fierce winds, (HUPO + ANEMOS, GEN = UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF STRONG WINDS)

yet are they turned about (METAGO, PR PAS IND = TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION)

with a very small helm, (PEDALION = RUDDER)

whithersoever (HOPOU = IN WHAT DIRECTION)

the governor (HEARME + EUTHUNONTOS = THE WILL OF THE ONE WHO STEERS, THE STEERSMAN, QUARTERMASTER)

listeth. (BOULOMAI, PR MID IND = DETERMINES, DECREES)

Jms:3:5:

Even so (HOUTOS = IN THIS WAY)

the tongue is (EIMI, PR AC IND = KEEPS ON BEING)

a little (MIKROS = VERY SMALL. FROM WHICH WE GET OUR WORD "MICROSCOPE")

member, and boasteth (AUCHEO, PR AC IND [ATTIC GREEK] = LOUD BOISTEROUS BOASTING)

great (MEGALA = MONSTROUS)

things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! (LITERALLY = HOW SUCH A SMALL FIRE BURNS UP A LARGE FOREST)

Jms:3:6:

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: (HO + KOSMOS + TES + ADIKIAS = THE WORLD OF WICKEDNESS, EVIL)

so is the tongue among (KATHISTEMI, PR PAS IND = TO BE ORDAINED, PLACED, APPOINTED)

our members, that it defileth (SPILOO, PR AC PART = CONTAMINATES WITH CONTINUING RESULTS)

the whole body, and setteth on fire (PHLOGIZO, PR AC PART = KEEPS ON BURNING WITH FIRE)

the course of nature; (TROPHOS + GENESIS = THE CYCLE OR PATTERN OF EXISTENCE)

and it is set on fire (PHLOGIZO, PR PAS PART = IS BEING SET ON FIRE)

of hell. (HUPO + GEENNA, GENITIVE = BY AGENCY OF GEHENNA)

Jms:3:7:

For every kind (PAS + PHUSIS  = EVERY SPECIES)

of beasts, (THERION, GEN PL = MAMMALS, WILD LAND ANIMALS)

and of birds, (PETAINON, GEN PL = AVIES, WILD BIRDS)

and of serpents, (HERPETON = REPTILES. THIS IS WHERE WE GET OUT WORD "HERPATOLOGY")

and of things in the sea, (ENALIOS = WATER BREATHING ANIMALS)

is tamed, (DAMAZO, PR PAS IND = HAS BEEN CONTINUALLY CONTROLLED)

and hath been tamed of mankind: (LITERALLY = BY MEANS OF THE ESSENCE OF MAN, BY MEANS OF MAN'S SOUL)

Jms:3:8:

But the tongue can no (DUNAMAI, PR AC IND + ME = IS NOT INHERENTLY ABLE TO)

man tame; (DAMAZO, AO AC INF = CONTROL)

it is an unruly evil, (AKATASTASOS + KAKOS = UNSTABLE EVIL)

full of (MESTOS = FILLED WITH)

deadly poison. (THANATEPHOROS + EIOS = DEATH CAUSING POISON)

Jms:3:9:

Therewith (EN + INST AUTOS = BY MEANS OF THIS)

bless (EULOGEO, PR AC IND = HABITUALLY PRAISE OR SPEAK WELL OF)

we God, even the Father; and therewith curse (KATARAOMAI, STATIC PR = KEEP ON CURSING, WISH EVIL ON)

we men, which are made (GINOMAI, PER AC PART = HAVING COME INTO BEING)

after the similitude (KATA + HOMOISOSIS = AFTER THE ESSENCE OF, AFTER THE LIKENESS OF)

of God.

Jms:3:10:

Out of the same mouth proceedeth (EZERCHOMAI, PR MID IND = TO COME OUT, EMANATE FROM)

blessing (EULOGEO, PR AC IND = HABITUAL PRAISE)

and cursing. (KATARAOMAI, STATIC PRESENT = HABITUAL CURSING, WISHING EVIL ON)

My brethren, these things ought not (CHRE + OUK = THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED)

so to be. (GINOMAI, PR MID INF = TO COME TO PASS)

Jms:3:11:

Doth (METI = USED IN A RHETORICAL QUESTION WHERE A "NO" IS EXPECTED. LIKE = A FOUNTAIN DOESN'T .. DOES IT?)

a fountain (PEGE = A WELL FED BY A FRESH WATER SPRING)

send forth (BRUO, PR AC INF = EMIT, SPEW FORTH)

at the same place sweet (GLUCUS = SWEET, SUGARY. WHERE WE GET OUR WORD "GLUCOSE")

water and bitter? (PIKROS = SOUR, BITTER. WHERE WE GET OUR WORD "PICKLE")

Jms:3:12:

Can (DUNAMAI, PR AC IND + ME = NOT ABLE TO, IS IT?)

the fig tree, my brethren, bear (POIEO = PRODUCE, BEAR)

olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. (LITERALLY = SO NEITHER CAN SALT WATER PRODUCE FRESH)

Jms:3:13:

Who is a wise man (TIS + SOPHOS = THE WISE ONE)

and endued with knowledge (EPISTEMON = TO BE A MASTER OF A SUBJECT, AN EXPERT IN THE FIELD OF KNOWLEDGE)

among you? let him shew out (DEIKNUMI, AO AC IMP = DEMONSTRATE)

of a good conversation his works (TA + ERGA = HIS PRODUCTION)

with meekness (EN + PRAUTES = IN THE SPHERE OF HUMILITY)

of wisdom. (SOPHIA = DIVINE WISDOM, PERCEPTION)

Jms:3:14:

But if ye have (ECHO, PR AC IND = YOU KEEP ON HAVING AND HOLDING)

bitter (PIKROS = BITTER, SOUR)

envying (ZELOS = JEALOUSY, ENVYING)

and strife (ERITHEIA = CONTENTION, LOOKING FOR A FIGHT, SPITEFUL)

in your hearts, glory not, (KAUCHAOMAI, PR MID IMP + ME = STOP BOASTING!)

and lie not (PSEUDO, PR MID IMP + ME = STOP LYING!)

against the truth. (KATA + ALEITHEIA = AGAINST THAT WHICH IS TRUE)

Jms:3:15:

This wisdom (SOPHIA = HERE, A REFERENCE TO SATAN'S COUNTERFEIT WISDOM)

descendeth (KATERCHOMAI, PR AC PART = COMING DOWN, DESCENDING)

not (EIMI, PR AC IND + OUK = IS ABSOLUTELY NOT)

from above, but is earthly, (EPIGEIOS = UPON THE EARTH, EARTHY. IT COMES FROM SATAN OR THE FLESH)

sensual, (PSUCHIKOS = SOULISH, FROM THE SOUL)

devilish. (DAIMONDIODES = COMING FROM DEMONS)

Jms:3:16:

For (GAR, ILLITIVE USE = FOR YOU SEE, IN CONCLUSION)

where (HOPOU = IN WHAT PLACE)

envying and strife is, there (EKEI = IN THAT PLACE)

is confusion (AKATASTASIA = INSTABILITY OR WIDE EMOTIONAL SWINGS)

and every evil work. (LITERALLY = EVERY VILE PRACTICE)

Jms:3:17:

But the wisdom that is from above (ANOTHEN = FROM A HIGHER PLANE, FROM HEAVEN)

is first pure, (AGNOS = PURE IN ESSENCE)

then peaceable, (EIRENIKOS = PRODUCING INNER BENEFICIAL PEACE)

gentle, and easy to be intreated, (EUPEITHES = GOOD DISCIPLINE, EASY TO TEACH, TEACHABLE)

full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Jms:3:18:

And the fruit of righteousness is sown (STEIRO, PR PAS IND = IS SOWN AS SEED)

in peace (EIRENE = PEACE, INNER TRANQUILITY)

of them that make (POIEO, PR AC PART = MAKING, PRODUCING CONTINUALLY)

peace. (EIRENE = PEACE, INNER TRANQUILITY)

Please feel free to E-mail me your questions, comments, and any difficulties you experienced accessing this study at DIDASKALOS Ministries

Return to the beginning of this study!

Return to DIDASKALOS MAIN MENU