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Santiago 3:1
Huwag hayaan ang marami sa inyo na maging mga guro, mga kapatid ko, sa pagkaalam na sa gayon ay magkakaroon tayo ng mas mahigpit na paghatol.
(a) Mga guro. Huwag husgahan ang mga tao.
Ang salita para sa guro (didaskalos) is sometimes translated as master. In a Jewish context a master was revered like an Old Testament judge (e.g., Luke 12:13). When the rich young ruler said to Jesus, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Matt. 19:16), he was saying, “Jesus, I recognize you as a Master in the law. Please judge my law-keeping performance.” When the law-experts and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus and said, “Teacher, the Law says stone her. What do you say?” (John 8:4–5), they were saying, “Apparently you’re an expert in the law. Prove it by judging this woman.”
To be a teacher or master was to be one of the Big Dogs when it came to dispensing law and passing judgment. Jesus was reluctant to play that game and we should be to. When James says, “Don’t presume to become a teacher,” he’s saying “Don’t judge others” (see Jas. 4:11–12).
The wrong way to read this passage is to think you cannot preach and teach the gospel. By the grace of God, we are all called to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15; Heb. 5:12). You may not be gifted to teach (see 1 Cor. 12:29), but are qualified because Jesus the Teacher lives in you, and his Spirit teaches you all things (John 14:26).
(b) Mga kapatid; tingnan mo pagpasok for Jas. 1:16.
(c) Isang mas mahigpit na paghatol does not mean that preachers and teachers are held to a higher standard, or that bad teachers are sent to hotter parts of hell. The stricter judgment is the condemnation that comes from living under the law. Those who play the judgment game are setting themselves up for failure by pushing standards which they themselves cannot meet. By their own words they condemn themselves as lawbreakers and sinners (Matt. 12:37).
Pansinin na ang mas mahigpit na paghatol ay kahalintulad sa mas malaking paghatol na dumarating sa mga relihiyoso at mga makasarili (tingnan ang pagpasok for Matt. 23:14).
Karagdagang pagbabasa: "Sino ang nangangahas na maging guro?”
Santiago 3:2
Sapagkat lahat tayo ay natitisod sa maraming paraan. Kung ang sinuman ay hindi natitisod sa kanyang sinasabi, siya ay isang sakdal na tao, na kayang pigilan din ang buong katawan.
(a) Lahat tayo nadadapa, mabibigo, at magkamali. Nasasabi natin ang mga bagay na pagsisisihan natin sa huli. Ngunit sa ilalim ng batas wala kang margin para sa pagkakamali. Isang pagkakamali at ikaw ay hinatulan bilang isang lumalabag sa batas (tingnan pagpasok for Jas. 2:10). Either you must be perfect or you need a Representative who was perfect on your behalf (Heb. 2:10).
(b) Isang perpektong lalaki ay isang taong hindi nagkakamali sa pagsasalita. Sa pamantayang ito, si Jesus lamang ang perpektong tao. Si Jesus ay hindi kailanman nagbitaw ng maling salita. Hindi siya kailanman nang-insulto sa sinuman o nagpahayag ng anumang pagbabanta (tingnan pagpasok for 1 Pet. 2:22–23).
(c) Bridle the whole body. If you can control your tongue, you can control your whole body. But no one can tame the tongue (Jas. 3:8).
James 3:3–4
Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
(a) Horses are powerful beasts yet they can be controlled through a tiny bit.
(b) Ships are among the most powerful of our machines yet they are turned by small rudders.
(c) The inclination of the pilot. Just as the pilot turns the rudder, the inclinations of our hearts direct the tongue. If the tongue speaks evil, the problem is in the heart. See pagpasok for Jas. 3:14.
Santiago 3:5
So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
(a) The tongue has influence far beyond its small size. Like a horse’s bit or a ship’s rudder, your tongue can shape the course of your life, for good or ill.
(b) Boasts. The tongue makes grand statements. Think of the settlers of Shinar and their plans to build a tower with its top in the heavens (Gen. 11:3–4). Think of President Kennedy and his dream to send men to the moon. Every great accomplishment was first spoken into life by someone’s tongue.
(c) Fire. The tongue also has the power to destroy. With our tongues we can release life or death (Pro. 18:21). We can condemn, criticize, and kindle conflict. With little more than words and rhetoric, people have ignited wars.
Santiago 3:6
At ang dila ay apoy, ang mismong daigdig ng kasamaan; ang dila ay inilalagay sa gitna ng ating mga sangkap bilang yaong nagpaparumi sa buong katawan, at nagniningas sa takbo ng ating buhay, at sinilaban ng impiyerno.
(a) Ang dila ay apoy na maaaring magsunog ng mundo (tingnan ang nakaraang talata).
(b) Ang mismong mundo ng kasamaan. Ang dila ay mundo ng kaguluhan.
(c) Nagdudumi sa buong katawan. Ang isang walang pigil na dila ay maaaring sumira sa iyong buhay.
(d) Ang takbo ng ating buhay. Ang dila ay pambihirang makapangyarihan. Sa pamamagitan nito ay hinuhubog natin ang ating mga tadhana. Ang mga salitang binibigkas natin ay maaaring bumuo at magwasak, magpagaling at makasakit.
(e) Impiyerno. Ang orihinal na salita (tara na) ay ang Griyegong pangalan para sa Gehenna, isang maliit na lambak sa timog-kanluran ng Jerusalem kung saan sinusunog ang mga basura. Ang Gehenna ay parehong tunay na lugar at isang metapora para sa walang hanggang apoy. Tingnan mo pagpasok for Matt. 5:22.
Santiago 3:7–8
Para sa bawat uri ng hayop at ibon, ng mga reptilya at nilalang sa dagat, ay pinaamo at pinaamo ng sangkatauhan. Ngunit walang makakapagpaamo ng dila; ito ay isang hindi mapakali na kasamaan at puno ng nakamamatay na lason.
(a) Pinaamo ng lahi ng tao. Maaari nating kontrolin ang kaharian ng hayop, ngunit hindi natin makontrol ang ating sarili. Maaari nating paamuin ang mga tigre ngunit hindi ang ating sariling mga dila.
(b)Walang makakapagpaamo ng dila yet some seem to think that we can. “We need to watch our words and discipline ourselves to speak positively.” This try-harder message produces either Pharisees or failures. “No one can tame the tongue” means you cannot fix yourself. A wicked tongue belies a wicked heart (Matt. 12:34). If the mouth speaks evil, it’s because the heart is evil (Mark 7:15, 20–23), and all the trying in the world cannot repair it. Only the Holy Spirit can give us a new heart and a new tongue.
(c) Isang hindi mapakali na kasamaan. Ang isang out of control na dila ay isang maluwag na kanyon na nagdudulot ng pinsala sa kaliwa at kanan.
(d) Puno ng nakamamatay na lason. Tulad ng dila ng ahas, ang dila ay tunay na mapanganib. Ang isang maluwag na dila ay maaaring magpalubog ng isang pagkakaibigan, makasira ng isang kasal, magtapos ng isang karera, pumatay ng isang negosyo, magsimula ng isang digmaan.
Santiago 3:9–10
Sa pamamagitan nito ay pinagpapala natin ang ating Panginoon at Ama, at sa pamamagitan nito ay sinusumpa natin ang mga tao, na ginawang kawangis ng Diyos; sa iisang bibig nanggagaling ang pagpapala at pagsumpa. Mga kapatid ko, hindi dapat ganito ang mga bagay na ito.
(a) Ama; tingnan mo pagpasok for Jas. 1:27.
(b) Parehong pagpapala at pagsumpa. Sa pamamagitan ng ating mga dila tayo ay nagtatayo at nagwawasak, at ito ay isang senyales na may isang bagay na lubhang mali.
(c) Sa pagkakahawig ng Diyos. Unique among all of God’s creatures humans were made to bear the Creators image and to represent him to creation (Gen. 5:1). We do not represent him well by cursing one other.
(d) Hindi dapat ganito. May mali sa sangkatauhan, at ang ebidensya ay nasa paraan ng ating pag-uusap. Tayo ay ginawang kawangis ng Diyos, ngunit minsan tayo ay nagsasalita na parang diyablo.
Santiago 3:11–12
Ang isang bukal ba ay naglalabas mula sa parehong bukana ng parehong sariwa at mapait na tubig? Maaari bang magbunga ng olibo ang puno ng igos, mga kapatid ko, o ang puno ng ubas ay magbunga ng igos? Hindi rin makakagawa ng sariwa ang tubig-alat.
(a) Isang fountain hindi makapagpadala ng dalawang uri ng tubig at ang puno ng igos ay hindi makapagbunga ng olibo. Kung ang ating mga bibig ay nagsasalita ng pagpapala at pagmumura, may mali sa ating mga puso (tingnan pagpasok for Jas. 3:14).
(b) Mga kapatid; tingnan mo pagpasok for Jas. 1:16.
Santiago 3:13
Sino sa inyo ang matalino at maunawain? Hayaang ipakita niya sa pamamagitan ng kanyang mabuting pag-uugali ang kanyang mga gawa sa kahinahunan ng karunungan.
(a) Matalino at maunawain. Kung sa tingin mo ay matalino ka, patunayan mo ito sa iyong mga aksyon.
James places a high value on actions. “If anyone thinks he is religious… If anyone says he has faith… If anyone thinks he is wise… let’s see your good behavior.” He is setting us up because he knows we can’t deliver. We all stumble in many ways (Jas. 3:2), and no one can control their tongue (Jas. 3:8). James is not trying to embarrass us, but to highlight our self-deception. We are just not capable of living the good life that God intends for us. True wisdom – the kind that leads to good behavior and fruitful living – is not innate, but comes from above (Jas. 3:17).
(b) Magandang pag-uugali. Wisdom is proved by her deeds (Matt. 11:19). A bad tree cannot produce good fruit, and natural man cannot deliver a lifetime of flawless behavior.
(c) Kahinhinan ng karunungan. The wisdom that comes from God purifies our hearts, sweetens our speech, and smooths our rough edges. It defuses our selfish ambition, giving us a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Pet. 3:4).
Santiago 3:14
Ngunit kung mayroon kang mapait na paninibugho at makasariling ambisyon sa iyong puso, huwag maging mayabang at magsinungaling laban sa katotohanan.
(a) Pero. If there is wickedness in your heart and curses in your mouth, you are not the good person you think you are. You are deceiving yourself (Jas. 1:26).
To those who don’t see their need for grace, James delivers a two-punch combination. In chapter two, he challenges those who are religious to keep the law perfectly (Jas. 2:10). Here in chapter three he challenges those who think they are good to deliver perfect behavior and speech. Both standards are unattainable. No one can tame the tongue and no one can keep the law. We all need the grace that God provides (Jas. 4:6).
(b) Mapait na selos at makasariling ambisyon ay ang mga palatandaan ng isang walang katiyakan at hindi nabagong buhay (tingnan pagpasok for Jas. 3:16).
(c) Iyong puso maaaring maging ugat ng problema.
Trying harder is never the solution when an untamable tongue is involved. What we need is a new heart, and this is what God gives us (Eze. 36:26).
(d) Huwag maging mayabang or boast about your so-called wisdom or morality. Your best efforts are worth less than dung (Php. 3:8).
(e) Magsinungaling laban sa katotohanan. Harapin ang mga katotohanan at itigil ang panlilinlang sa iyong sarili. Wala kang niloloko. Ang masamang bunga ay nangangahulugan na ang puno ay masama.
Santiago 3:15
Ang karunungan na ito ay hindi yaong bumababa mula sa itaas, kundi makalupa, natural, demonyo.
(a) Karunungan ay ang kakayahang gumawa ng mabubuting pasya at tamang paghuhusga. Tingnan mo pagpasok for Jas. 1:5.
(b) Mula sa itaas. Karunungan sa langit na nagmumula sa Panginoon.
Ang pamumuhay sa intersection ng dalawang kaharian, ang pisikal at espirituwal, nalantad tayo sa dalawang pinagmumulan ng karunungan: makalupa, o makatao, karunungan at espirituwal, o makalangit, karunungan. Ang karunungan na nagmumula sa itaas ay higit na nakahihigit sa makalupang karunungan.
(c) Natural ang karunungan ay nakabatay sa natural na pag-unawa at limitado sa kung ano ang nakikita, naririnig, at iniisip natin. Ito ay senswal (batay sa limang pandama) sa halip na espirituwal at pangunahing nababahala sa pangangalaga at pagtataas ng sarili.
Natural wisdom is what Adam and Eve employed when they chose to distrust God in the Garden. They saw that the forbidden fruit was pleasing to the eyes and they thought that eating it would make them wise (Gen. 3:6). While their judgment was consistent with their natural understanding, it was contrary to the word of the Lord. By preferring their own wisdom to that which is from above, Adam and Eve unwittingly opened the door to sin and death.
(d) demonyo. Earthly wisdom is influenced by the spirit of this world as opposed to the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:12). It is captured in the selfish and satanic boast, “I will make myself like the Most High” (Is. 14:14).
Santiago 3:16
Sapagkat kung saan mayroong paninibugho at makasariling ambisyon, mayroong kaguluhan at bawat masamang bagay.
(a) Selos at makasariling ambisyon ay ang mga sintomas ng malayang buhay. Ang pagiging makasarili ay unahin ang iyong sarili bago ang iba. Ito ay kabaligtaran ng pag-ibig, na nakatuon sa iba.
Ang pusong hindi muling nabuo ay makasarili dahil hindi ito ipinanganak ng espiritu. Wala itong alam na ibang paraan upang mabuhay. Gaano man ito kahirap na subukang maging mabuti at disente, ang pinakapangunahing alalahanin nito ay ang pag-aalaga sa sarili at pagtingin sa Numero Uno. Tanging ang sakripisyong pag-ibig ng Diyos ang makapagpapalaya sa atin mula sa pagkakahawak ng kasalanan at pagkamakasarili.
(b) Disorder. Ang makasariling buhay ay hindi mapakali at hindi matatag dahil ito ay sumasalungat sa banal na kaayusan na itinatag ng Lumikha. Nilikha tayo para sa koinonia-pakikipagkapwa. Hindi tayo ginawa para maging independent at mag-isa. Kapag inuuna natin ang ating sarili, nagiging hindi balanse tayo at nawawalan tayo ng lugar sa mundo. Nawawalan tayo ng ugnayan sa katotohanan ni Kristo at gumagala sa mga anino ng ating pagiging makasarili.
(c) Ang bawat masamang bagay. Selfishness is the root of all evil. Selfish ambition leads to discord, quarrels, arrogance, slander, gossip, greed, hatred, rage and murder. A mind set on the flesh leads to death (Rom. 8:6).
Santiago 3:17
Ngunit ang karunungan mula sa itaas ay una-una ay dalisay, pagkatapos ay mapayapa, maamo, makatuwiran, puspos ng awa at mabubuting bunga, hindi natitinag, walang pagkukunwari.
(a) Karunungan; tingnan mo pagpasok for James 1:5.
(b) Ang karunungan mula sa itaas comes to us through our revelation of Jesus. “Christ Jesus is our wisdom from God” (1 Cor. 1:30). Everything you need for life and godliness is found in him. If you need wisdom for your marriage or business or church, your first and last port of call is a greater revelation of Christ (Eph. 1:17).
Ang karunungan mula sa itaas ay pinalamutian ng pabor ng langit at nailalarawan sa pamamagitan ng mga sumusunod na walong katangian:
(c) dalisay. Earthly wisdom, especially when it comes wrapped in religious ribbons, will leave you feeling dirty and sinful, but God’s wisdom is pure and purifying. It purifies the heart (Jas. 4:8) leaving you as pure as the driven snow.
(d) Mapayapa. Earthly wisdom leads to strife and discord, but the wisdom from above releases supernatural peace (Php. 4:7). If your spirit is troubled by a decision you have to make, that is a sign you have not yet received the peaceable wisdom that comes from God (e.g., 2 Cor. 2:13).
(e) Malumanay. Ang makalupang karunungan ay mapanghimasok, walang pakialam sa iba, at nakaka-stress. Huwag palampasin! Kunin ito bago ang ibang tao! But the wisdom of the Lord is gentle because he is gentle (Matt. 11:29). The Good Shepherd guides us gently and without pressure. If we hesitate to follow he does not scold us or get angry with us. He waits patiently for us to come to our senses, and when we do he embraces us without judgment.
(f) Makatwiran. Ang makalupang karunungan ay hinihingi at hindi nagpaparaya. Gawin ang sinabi sa iyo. Huwag magtanong. In contrast, the wisdom of God is compelling and convincing. Our heavenly Father does not order us about like mindless robots, but he invites us to consider, reckon, and reason together. “Come now, and let us reason together” (Is. 1:18). “Consider the lilies” (Luke 12:27). His words may not always appear reasonable to our natural understanding. Ano ang gusto mong gawin ko, Lord?! But his wisdom is always proved right in the end (Matt. 11:19).
(g) Puno ng awa. Ang makalupang karunungan ay hindi nakakatulong at hindi nagpapatawad. Bahala ka. Ginulo mo. Sa kabaligtaran, ang karunungan mula sa itaas ay nakakatugon sa ating mga pangangailangan at nagpapaangat sa atin. Hindi inaasahan ng ating mahabaging Ama na aakyat tayo sa langit; siya ay bumaba sa atin at tumatayong kasama natin sa ating pagsubok. Siya ay tumutugon sa ating mga daing ng pagkabalisa nang may awa at biyaya.
(h) Magandang prutas. Earthly wisdom appeals to our natural understanding – It seems good to me – but its fruit is rotten (Pro. 14:12). Earthly wisdom may come packaged in scripture. “Faith without works is dead, so get busy for Jesus.” But if the result is dead works and anxiety, you can be sure it is demonic in origin (Jas. 3:15). In contrast, the wisdom from above produces good fruits of righteousness (see next verse).
(i) Hindi natitinag. Earthly wisdom is vague and unreliable and leaves you uncertain and full of doubts (Jas. 1:6). You’d be foolish to bet your life on it. But the wisdom from above is clear and trustworthy. Commit yourself to the Lord and his wisdom and you’ll never put a foot wrong (Pro. 3:6).
(j) Nang walang pagkukunwari. Earthly wisdom is bogus, but the wisdom that comes from God is the genuine article. Your Father is not a guru out to enrich himself. Nor is he a capricious con man out to trick you. Your heavenly Father’s desire is to reveal his love, bless you, and help you succeed (3 John 1:2).
Santiago 3:18
At ang binhi na ang bunga ay katuwiran ay inihasik sa kapayapaan ng mga gumagawa ng kapayapaan.
(a) Ang binhi whose fruit is righteousness is Jesus, the Righteous One. When we receive the wisdom from above, we receive a greater revelation of Jesus (Eph. 1:17), and the result is right living and righteousness with God.
(Pansinin na ang binhi ay hindi binanggit sa orihinal na teksto ngunit ipinahiwatig. Ang literal na salin ng talatang ito ay mababasa, “Ang bunga ng katuwiran sa kapayapaan ay inihahasik ng mga gumagawa ng kapayapaan.” Dahil hindi tayo naghahasik ng bunga, ang mga tagapagsalin ay may idinagdag ang salitang binhi para sa kalinawan.)
(b) Katuwiran ay ang estado ng pagiging tama sa Diyos.
We all desire to be righteous, but we may not agree on what righteousness is. Earthly wisdom says righteousness is being moral or good or keeping the rules. It’s something you do. But heavenly wisdom says righteousness is something to reap or receive, and in Christ you have it (Rom. 5:17, 2 Cor. 5:21, Php. 3:9).
Tingnan mo pagpasok para sa Katuwiran.
(c) Ang mga gumagawa ng kapayapaan do so by proclaiming the gospel of peace. We reveal the way of peace (Luke 1:79), which leads to the God of peace (Rom. 15:33), who gives us life and peace (Rom. 8:6). We make peace by revealing Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
To put this in context, James is addressing assemblies where there is discrimination, judgment, and quarrels (Jas. 2:1–4, 4:1). These are not happy assemblies, but they could be. The way forward is to recognize that we are all sinners in need of grace (see pagpasok for Jas. 3:14), and that the righteousness we crave is the fruit of living in right relationship with the Righteous One. Communities that are infused with the wisdom from above enjoy righteousness, peace, and joy.
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Navigator ng Kabanata
- Santiago 3:1
- Santiago 3:2
- Santiago 3:3-4
- Santiago 3:5
- Santiago 3:6
- Santiago 3:7-8
- Santiago 3:9-10
- Santiago 3:11-12
- Santiago 3:13
- Santiago 3:14
- Santiago 3:15
- Santiago 3:16
- Santiago 3:17
- Santiago 3:18
My biggest trouble on this scripture James 3:1, is the part that says that teachers will face a more strict judgment. What does that mean, will believers have to be judged as well especially on how they conducted themselves on earth?
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