James 3:9
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
James 3:9 in other translations
| BSB | With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. |
|---|---|
| WEB | With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in the image of God. |
| ASV | Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God: |
| YLT | with it we do bless the God and Father, and with it we do curse the men made according to the similitude of God; |
| DARBY | Therewith bless we the Lord and Father, and therewith curse we men made after the likeness of God. |
| BBE | 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. |
| Webster | With this we bless God, even the Father; and with this we curse men, who are made after the similitude of God. |
What does James 3:9 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Even the Father. Who sustains to us the relation of a Father. The point in the remark of the apostle is, the absurdity of employing the tongue in such contradictory uses as to bless one who has to us the relation of a Father and to curse any being, especially those who are made in his image. The word bless here is used in the sense of praise, thank, worship.
And therewith curse we men. That is, it is one by the same organ by which God is praised and honoured.
Which are made after the similitude of God. After his image, Gen 1:26-27. As we bless God, we ought with the same organ to bless those who are like him. There is an absurdity in cursing men who are thus made, like what there would be in both blessing and cursing the Creator himself.
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on James 3:1-12
Chapter Outline Cautions against proud behaviour, and the mischief of an unruly tongue. (1-12) The excellence of heavenly wisdom, in opposition to that which is worldly. (13-18) Verses 1-12 We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords…
James 3:9 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for James 3:9
- Psalms 10:7
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
- Genesis 1:26-27
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. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
- Genesis 9:6
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
- 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.
- 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.
- Genesis 5:1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
- Romans 3:14
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
- Isaiah 29:13
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
- Acts 2:26
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
- Ecclesiastes 7:22
For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
- 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?
- Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ps 16:9; 30:12; 35:28; 51:14; 57:8; 62:4; 71:24; 108:1; Ac 2:26
bless.
1Ch 29:10,20; Ps 34:1; 63:4; 145:1,21; Isa 29:13; Eph 1:3; 1Pe 1:3
therewith curse.
Jud 9:27; 2Sa 16:5; 19:21; Ps 10:7; 59:12; 109:17,18; Ec 7:22
Mt 5:44; 26:74; Ro 3:14
made.
Ge 1:26,27; 5:1; 9:6; 1Co 11:7
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- James 3:8
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
- James 3:9
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
- James 3:10
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
James 3:9 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Con ella bendecimos al Dios y Padre, y con ella maldecimos á los hombres, los cuales son hechos á la semejanza de Dios. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Par elle nous bénissons le Seigneur et Père, et par elle nous maudissons les hommes faits à la ressemblance de Dieu; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Mit ihr preisen wir den Herrn und Vater, und mit ihr fluchen wir den Menschen, die nach dem Bilde Gottes geworden sind. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | In ipsa benedicimus Deum et Patrem: et in ipsa maledicimus homines, qui ad similitudinem Dei facti sunt. |