James 3:9

“Therewith bless we God, even, the Father, etc.] Of Jesus Christ, and of spirits, and of mercies: this is the instrument that is used in blessing God daily every meal that is eaten; and in joining with the saints, though only verbally and outwardly, in blessing God for all spiritual blessings in Christ, both in prayer, and in singing psalms: and therewith curse we men: make imprecations, and wish evils upon them: which are made after the similitude of God as man was originally, (<010126>Genesis 1:26,27) and though sin has greatly defaced it, yet there are still some remains of it: and now, what an absurd and monstrous thing is this, that one and the same instrument should be used in blessing…”

“God--The oldest authorities read, "Lord." "Him who is Lord and Father." The uncommonness of the application of "Lord" to the Father, doubtless caused the change in modern texts to "God" (Jam 1:27). But as Messiah is called "Father," Isa 9:6, so God the Father is called by the Son's title, "Lord": showing the unity of the Godhead. "Father" implies His paternal love; "Lord," His dominion. men, which--not "men who"; for what is meant is not particular men, but men genetically [ALFORD]. are made after . . . similitude of God--Though in a great measure man has lost the likeness of God in which he was originally made, yet enough of it still remains to show what once it was, and what in regenerated…”

“Therewith bless we God - We men do this; that is, all this is done by the tongue. The apostle does not mean that the same man does this, but that all this is done by the same organ - the tongue. 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 done by the same organ by which God is praised and honored. Which are made after the similitude of…”

“Men made after the likeness of God - Indeed we have now lost this likeness; yet there remains from thence an indelible nobleness, which we ought to reverence both in ourselves and others. James 3:13”

“3:9 praises . . . curses: Praising our Lord and Father is the best activity of the tongue, whereas cursing those made in his image is one of the worst, because it is an implicit curse on God himself (Gen 1:26-27; 9:6).”

“Therewith: Psa 16:9, Psa 30:12, Psa 35:28, Psa 51:14, Psa 57:8, Psa 62:4, Psa 71:24, Psa 108:1; Act 2:26 bless: Ch1 29:10, Ch1 29:20; Psa 34:1, Psa 63:4, Psa 145:1, Psa 145:21; Isa 29:13; Eph 1:3; Pe1 1:3 therewith curse: Jdg 9:27; Sa2 16:5, Sa2 19:21; Psa 10:7, Psa 59:12, Psa 109:17, Psa 109:18; Ecc 7:22; Mat 5:44, Mat 26:74; Rom 3:14 made: Gen 1:26, Gen 1:27, Gen 5:1, Gen 9:6; Co1 11:7 James 3:10”