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Introduction
We are back to our study of James.
We are in chapter 3. We just started chapter 3 and, this evening, we are going to consider verse 2.
Now, remember, this study of James is a little different than most studies.
We are doing it chapter by chapter, paragraph by paragraph, and verse by verse together.
I have two main goals in mind as we go through this study.
One goal is to help you learn how to study God’s Word by demonstrating a method that I use.
The second is to learn all that we can from the book of James helping us live lives that are pleasing unto the Lord.
Let’s take a minute and read the first paragraph of chapter 3 which is verses 1-12.
Last week, we were studying verse 1.
As we were studying, we learned that the world “master” means “teacher.”
Thus, the Holy Spirit is warning us about seeking to be teachers.
The reason He is warning us is that being a teacher of God’s Word comes with some pretty serious responsibility.
You will note the second half of that verse which essentially says “teachers” will “receive the greater condemnation.”
Scripture is quite clear on this one fact.
The more you know about God and His Word, the greater responsibility you have in obeying it and, eventually if the Lord leads, in teaching it.
With that in mind, we move to verse 2 this evening which says.
You will note that this verse actually contains two complete sentences.
GRAMMATICAL STUDY
Let’s examine the first sentence.
“For in many things we offend all.”
Breaking this verse down according to grammar we find the following.
VERB
“we offend” - means to sin, conceived as missing a step and falling or nearly falling
NOUN
*In the Greek, there are technically no nouns.
The word “things” is understood as part of the word “many.”
ADVERBS
*There are no adverbs.
ADJECTIVES
“many” - a great amount or extent; a lot
“all” - everything; the whole
For the second sentence, we will break it down according to phrase.
The first phrase is this.
“If any man offend not in word...”
VERB
“offend” - means to sin, conceived as missing a step and falling or nearly falling
NOUN
“word” - spoken communication generally speaking, sometimes it is communication through other means
ADVERBS
“not” - a negative
ADJECTIVES
*There are no adjectives.
“the same is a perfect man”
VERBS
“is” - state of being
NOUNS
“man” - a human being, sometimes it is used collectively of people
ADVERBS
*There are no adverbs.
ADJECTIVES
“perfect” - being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
NOTE - The word “same” is a pronoun in the Greek.
It is the same as saying “This is a perfect man.”
“and able also to bridle the whole body.”
VERBS
“to bridle” - to curb something; has the idea of placing a bridle on something (like a horse) to control it
NOUNS
“body” - the entire structure of an organism, animal, or human being
ADVERBS
“also” - the equivalent of “and”
ADJECTIVES
“able” - capable; having the skills and qualifications to do something well
“whole” - constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
Now that we have understanding of some key words and how they are used we move to understanding what the Holy Spirit is communicating to us.
SPIRITUAL APPLICATION
Let’s begin with asking this question.
What is the Holy Spirit talking about?
We know, according to verse one, the Holy Spirit is talking about the responsibility of teaching.
And, as we know, teaching often involves speaking.
We can teach by modeling, but the majority of teaching involves using spoken communication.
Therefore, it is logical that the Holy Spirit brings our attention to using our mouth and our tongue - our speech.
So, the Holy Spirit is talking about a believer’s use of the tongue.
Or, as we might say, how we speak to others with an emphasis on teaching others.
What is the Holy Spirit saying about our speech?
In this verse, we have two very obvious points.
The first of these is this.
We can be really offensive to others in many areas of our life.
Second, the biggest area we contend with the most is our mouth.
Note again these words.
“For in many things we offend all.”
The essence of this verse is this...
We Sin in a Lot of Different Ways
Remember from our word study that the word “offend” means to sin, conceived as missing a step and falling or nearly falling.
It is word used almost exclusively here in James.
In fact, the Greek word used in our text is only used 5 times in the entire New Testament.
It is used two times in our verse.
It is used one time in James 2 and verse 10.
Outside of James, it is used in Romans.
Here is used in conjunction with the nation of Israel concerning their refusal to accept Christ as their Messiah.
The word “stumbled” is the same as the word “offense” in our text.
It is also used in 2 Peter.
In this verse, the Holy Spirit is emphasizing the importance of living a believer’s life through obedience.
If you focus on living as a believer and following God’s direction in your life, you do not run the risk of falling or coming up short to God’s expectation for your life.
Getting back to our text, I find this word very similar to the word found in Romans 3:23.
Now, let me be clear, that this verse does not use the same Greek word as “offend.”
However, this verse reminds us that all of us are sinners.
We are born already as such.
And, consequently, we “come short” or as the Greek would say “fall short” of God’s glory.
In our text, I believe the Holy Spirit is reminding us as believers that we do indeed often fall short of God’s expectations.
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