Devine Scripture

James 3:9

What does James 3:9 mean?

A plain-English look at James 3:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What James 3:9 means

James highlights a shocking contradiction: with the same tongue we bless “the Lord and Father” and curse people made in God’s likeness. This reveals a failure to see others as God sees them. To honor God while demeaning His image-bearers is inconsistent at the deepest level. Our speech toward people is a test of our reverence toward God. The verse calls us to align our words about others with our worship. It reminds us that every person possesses dignity derived from God’s image, so cursing is not a harmless outlet but an offense against the One we claim to bless.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

With it we give praise to our Lord and Father; and with it we put a curse on men who are made in God's image.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

with it we do bless the God and Father, and with it we do curse the men made according to the similitude of God;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men who are made after the likeness of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after [the] likeness ofGod.

Context

After describing the tongue’s untamable harm, James turns to its moral inconsistency. Verse 9 introduces the paradox; verse 10 will state that such a pattern is unacceptable, and verses 11–12 will show from nature that such mixed output is unnatural. This section connects the earlier warnings to practical community life, preparing for the later call (verses 13–18) to wisdom that is pure and peaceable, which produces speech consistent with honoring both God and neighbor.

v.8but the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison.

v.9This passage

v.10out of the same mouth cometh forth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:7

    For a man indeed ought not to have his head veiled, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:10

    Wherefore David blessed Jehovah before all the assembly; and David said, Blessed be thou, O Jehovah, the God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

  • Psalms 10:7

    His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression: Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

  • 2 Samuel 16:5

    And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out thence a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera; he came out, and cursed still as he came.

  • Psalms 34:1

    I will bless Jehovah at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

  • Psalms 63:4

    So will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

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