With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights a staggering contradiction: we use the same tongue to praise God, our Father, and to curse others who bear His very image. This isn't just about using foul language; it's about the profound incongruity of treating the Creator with reverence while desecrating His creation in the same breath. The mention of humanity being made in God's "likeness" is a stark reminder that even in our fallen state, people carry a divine echo that demands respect, not curses.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
James is highlighting the extreme inconsistency of the human tongue, showing how it can be used for both worship and slander. He points out the jarring contrast of blessing God, our Father, and then immediately cursing fellow human beings, who, despite our sin, still bear the divine image. This absurdity stems from the tongue's power and its often unchecked, restless nature, which is the central theme of this section.
Did you know your tongue has the power to bless the Creator of the universe and also curse His creation? James points out this staggering contrast, revealing a deep spiritual tension.
James highlights a profound inconsistency in human nature. We use the same organ, our tongue, to praise God – 'bless we God, even the Father' – and to condemn fellow human beings – 'curse we men'. This isn't just about saying mean things; it's about using our speech in ways that are utterly contradictory to God's purposes. The tongue, capable of declaring God's glory and proclaiming His love, is often turned to tear down others. This is a powerful reminder that our speech is a sacred trust.
Why is cursing people so serious? James gives us a clue: they are 'made in the likeness of God.' What does this deep truth mean for our speech?
The gravity of cursing others, according to James, lies in the fact that all humanity bears the 'likeness of God'. This image, though marred by sin, remains a fundamental aspect of our identity. It means that when we curse another person, we are, in a sense, disrespecting the Creator whose image they bear. This divine imprint demands reverence. Even in our fallen state, this inherent dignity should prevent us from utter contempt and judgment toward others. It calls us to recognize the sacred worth in every person, no matter how they have fallen or offended us.
Understand the original words
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eulogeō · Greek Verb
The act of speaking well of, praising, or invoking God's favor. It is a fundamental function of the believer's worship.
kataraomai · Greek Verb
The act of invoking divine judgment or evil upon someone. It is strictly condemned in Scripture as contrary to the command to love one's neighbor.
homoiōsis · Greek Noun
Refers to the creation of humanity in the image of God (Imago Dei). This theological reality provides the basis for the inherent dignity and value of every human being.
This passage directly establishes the foundational truth that humans are created in God's image and likeness, which James leverages to highlight the profound contradiction of cursing fellow humans.
1 John 4:20John powerfully connects loving God with loving one's neighbor, underscoring that hating or cursing others, who bear God's image, is a direct affront to loving God.
Matthew 5:44Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, presenting a radical ethic that directly challenges the impulse to curse people, regardless of their actions.
Romans 12:14Paul echoes Jesus' teaching by instructing believers not to curse, but to bless, reinforcing the idea that our response to others should reflect God's grace, not human animosity.
Psalm 109:28-29This psalm demonstrates a stark contrast between cursing and blessing, showing how the tongue can be used for imprecations but also pointing towards the ideal of blessing, aligning with James's argument for the tongue's proper use.
clarkeJames 3:9: "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God."
Therewith bless we God - The tongue is capable of rehearsing the praises, and setting forth the glories, of the eternal King: what a pity that it should ever be employed in a contrary work! It can proclaim and vindicate the truth of God, and publish the Gospel of peace and good will among men: what a pity that it should ever be employed in falsehoods, calumny, or in the…
pulpitJames 3:9: "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God."
Verses 9, 10. - Examples of the restless character of the tongue: "With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it too we curse men who are made in his image." In the first clause we should read Κύριον (א, A, B, C, Coptic, Syriac, ff, and some manuscripts of the Vulgate) for Θεόν (Receptus, with K, L, and Vulgate). Made after the similitude of God; better, likeness (ὁμ…
The verse highlights a staggering contradiction: we use the same tongue to praise God, our Father, and to curse others who bear His very image. This isn't just about using foul language; it's about the profound incongruity of treating the Creator with reverence while desecrating His creation in the same breath. The mention of humanity being made in God's "likeness" is a stark reminder that even in our fallen state, people carry a divine echo that demands respect, not curses.
James is highlighting the extreme inconsistency of the human tongue, showing how it can be used for both worship and slander. He points out the jarring contrast of blessing God, our Father, and then immediately cursing fellow human beings, who, despite our sin, still bear the divine image. This absurdity stems from the tongue's power and its often unchecked, restless nature, which is the central theme of this section.
James is highlighting the extreme inconsistency of the human tongue, showing how it can be used for both worship and slander. He points out the jarring contrast of blessing God, our Father, and then immediately cursing fellow human beings, who, despite our sin, still bear the divine image. This absurdity stems from the tongue's power and its often unchecked, restless nature, which is the central theme of this section.
"With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God." — The verse highlights a staggering contradiction: we use the same tongue to praise God, our Father, and to curse others who bear His very image. This isn't just about using foul language; it's about t…
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Last reviewed October 2026