James 3:12 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so {can} no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”

James 3:12

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

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

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet {water} and bitter? {place: or, hole}

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so {can} no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Who {is} a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

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James 3:1

"My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. {condemnation: or, judgment}"

James 3:2

"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same {is} a perfect man, {and} able also to bridle the whole body."

James 3:3

"Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body."

James 3:4

"Behold also the ships, which though {they be} so great, and {are} driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth."

James 3:5

"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! {a matter: or, wood}"

James 3:6

"And the tongue {is} a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. {course: Gr. wheel}"

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