James 3 10

James 3:10 kjv

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

James 3:10 nkjv

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

James 3:10 niv

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

James 3:10 esv

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

James 3:10 nlt

And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

James 3 verses

James 3 10 Meaning

James 3:10 strongly condemns the spiritual inconsistency of using the same tongue to offer praise and blessing to God while simultaneously uttering curses or insults towards fellow human beings. This verse highlights the profound hypocrisy that arises when an individual's speech toward the Divine is pure, yet their speech toward humanity, created in God's image, is impure or destructive. It is presented as a contradiction that "ought not to be so" within the life of a believer, suggesting a fundamental disconnect between profession of faith and practical living.

James 3 10 Context

James 3:10 is situated within a significant discourse by James on the nature and power of the tongue, spanning the entire third chapter. Having previously urged believers to be "doers of the word" and not merely "hearers" (Jas 1:22) and emphasizing faith by works (Jas 2:14-26), James transitions to practical manifestations of true faith. He begins chapter 3 by cautioning against many becoming teachers (Jas 3:1), emphasizing the greater judgment they will receive due to the immense responsibility of their words. He describes the tongue as a small but powerful part of the body, like a bit in a horse's mouth or a rudder of a ship, capable of directing the whole person (Jas 3:2-4). Furthermore, he portrays it as a fire, a "world of unrighteousness," capable of defiling the whole body and setting the course of one's life ablaze (Jas 3:5-6). James highlights the tongue's untamable nature, noting that while humanity can tame animals, "no human being can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (Jas 3:7-8). This sets the stage for the direct contradiction presented in verse 9, which immediately precedes verse 10: "With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God." Verse 10 serves as James' indignant and definitive summary statement regarding this glaring hypocrisy, affirming that such a dual manifestation of speech "ought not to be so." Verses 11-12 then further illustrate this illogical contradiction using natural analogies of a spring (fresh and salt water) and fruit trees (bearing consistent fruit), reinforcing that a single source should produce consistent output.

James 3 10 Word analysis

• From the same mouth: (Greek: ek tou autou stomatos, ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ στόματος). "Same" (Greek: autou) stresses the singular origin, highlighting the profound inconsistency and logical absurdity of emitting contradictory expressions from a single source. This emphasizes the direct link between a person's inner state and their outward communication, indicating that what comes out of the mouth reveals what is truly in the heart. The mouth serves as the immediate conduit of the heart's intentions, making the contradiction all the more apparent.

• come blessing: (Greek: eulogia, εὐλογία). Refers to praise, laudation, benediction, speaking well of. In the biblical context, "blessing" God involves acts of worship, adoration, and acknowledging His goodness and sovereignty. It implies speech that honors and reveres the Divine.

• and cursing: (Greek: katara, κατάρα). Denotes imprecation, denunciation, malediction, or an evil word. In contrast to "blessing," this refers to speaking ill of someone, expressing animosity, or calling down harm upon them. The stark juxtaposition of "blessing" and "cursing" from the same source is the core of James' critique.

• My brothers: (Greek: adelphoi mou, ἀδελφοί μου). A common affectionate address by James throughout his epistle, emphasizing a fraternal appeal. It highlights that the issue being addressed is within the community of faith, speaking to fellow believers who claim kinship with Christ, thus making their contradictory behavior all the more egregious.

• these things: (Greek: tauta, ταῦτα). Refers directly back to the acts of "blessing and cursing" occurring from the same mouth, encompassing the full scope of the inconsistency described.

• ought not to be so: (Greek: ou chrē houtōs echein, οὐ χρὴ οὕτως ἔχειν). A strong expression of moral inappropriateness or impermissibility. Chrē signifies what is proper, necessary, or right according to established principles. The negative particle ou unequivocally states that such a condition or behavior is utterly unfitting, wrong, and contrary to what is expected of those who identify as followers of Christ. It is a divine and logical imperative, not merely a suggestion. This combination conveys that this duality is fundamentally at odds with the nature of a genuinely transformed believer.

• Words group: "From the same mouth come blessing and cursing": This phrase encapsulates the central hypocrisy. It graphically presents the moral absurdity of a single instrument—the human tongue—being used for two utterly antithetical purposes. It underscores that one's worship of God is deeply compromised if it does not translate into love and respectful treatment of others. The external act of worship loses its authenticity when juxtaposed with malicious internal intentions revealed through negative speech about fellow image-bearers of God.

• Words group: "My brothers, these things ought not to be so": This group expresses James' strong pastoral exhortation and definitive judgment. It shifts from observation of the problem to a direct, emphatic declaration of its unacceptability within the Christian community. The address "My brothers" softens the reproof, yet the phrase "ought not to be so" delivers a firm and unmistakable moral condemnation, calling believers to consistency between their divine worship and human relations. It challenges them to align their outward profession of faith with their daily conduct, especially their speech.

James 3 10 Bonus section

The profound issue highlighted in James 3:10 extends beyond mere manners; it speaks to the very integrity of one's faith and the purity of their devotion. This contradiction suggests a schism in the individual's spiritual life, indicating that their love for God may not be genuine or fully matured if it does not naturally extend to those whom God has created and redeemed. It reveals a broken understanding of humanity's divine imprint. From a biblical perspective, honoring God means honoring what God honors, and He has supremely honored humanity by creating them in His image and likeness. To curse humanity is, in a profound sense, to disrespect the Creator Himself. The untamed tongue, producing both blessing and cursing, therefore becomes a stark indicator of an unregenerate or unconverted aspect of the believer's life, contradicting the transformative work of the Spirit and signaling that one's worship, despite outward expression, lacks true depth or spiritual authenticity.

James 3 10 Commentary

James 3:10 succinctly crystallizes the fundamental ethical problem presented throughout James 3 regarding the tongue: the incongruity of speaking well of God and ill of humanity from the identical source. This inconsistency strikes at the core of authentic Christian living, demonstrating a lack of genuine transformation. A truly redeemed heart cannot simultaneously yield forth springs of life-giving praise to the Creator and deadly poison of curses or negativity towards His creation.

The passage emphasizes that one's words are not merely transient sounds but reveal the true condition of the heart (Matt 12:34). For a believer to bless the Lord and then curse someone made in His image (Jas 3:9) is not simply poor etiquette; it is a profound spiritual contradiction. It denies the image of God in humanity, diminishing His creative work. James' statement "these things ought not to be so" is a strong moral and theological assertion. It implies that such a pattern of speech is fundamentally incompatible with true piety and discipleship. It suggests that if one claims to be a devotee of God, their entire being, including their words, should reflect God's nature—love, righteousness, and holiness—consistently. This means honoring God involves honoring His creation, especially humanity.

Practically, this verse calls believers to profound self-examination regarding their speech patterns. For instance, praising God passionately during worship service but later engaging in destructive gossip or cutting remarks about others is a direct violation of this principle. Offering fervent prayers but then publicly denigrating opponents, or professing love for the Church while secretly slandering fellow members, are also clear examples of the contradictory speech James warns against. This verse demands a unified witness, where reverence for God is matched by respect for man, leading to speech that consistently builds up, heals, and reflects Christ.