Contradiction with Proverbs 15:4
This verse states that a wholesome tongue is a tree of life, suggesting that the tongue can have positive, life-giving effects, which contrasts with the idea in James 3:8 that it is untamable and full of deadly poison.
Proverbs 15:4: A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit. [A wholesome...: Heb. The healing of the tongue]
Contradiction with Proverbs 16:24
This verse describes how pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and health to the bones, implying that the tongue can indeed be controlled to produce good outcomes, contrary to the statement in James 3:8.
Proverbs 16:24: Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Contradiction with Proverbs 21:23
This verse suggests that keeping one's mouth and tongue can lead to keeping one's soul from troubles, implying that some control over the tongue is possible, in contrast to James 3:8.
Proverbs 21:23: Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Contradiction with 1 Peter 3:10
This verse encourages controlling one's tongue from evil to love life and see good days, suggesting that such control is possible, contradicting the notion in James 3:8.
1 Peter 3:10: For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Contradiction with Proverbs 12:18
This verse contrasts rash words with the tongue of the wise, which promotes health, implying that the tongue can be used wisely and beneficially, opposing the idea in James 3:8.
Proverbs 12:18: There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health.
Contradiction with Proverbs 18:21
This verse states that death and life are in the power of the tongue, indicating that the tongue can be a source of both good and bad, suggesting a level of control, unlike James 3:8 which emphasizes its untamable nature.
Proverbs 18:21: Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Contradiction with Matthew 12:36-37
These verses indicate that people will give an account for every idle word and be justified or condemned by their words, suggesting an expectation of control over one’s speech that contradicts the untamable nature of the tongue described in James 3:8.
Matthew 12:36-37: But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Paradox #1
James 3:8 talks about the difficulty of controlling the tongue, describing it as unruly and full of deadly poison. A possible contradiction or inconsistency could arise when considering biblical teachings about self-control and transformation through Christ. Other parts of the Bible emphasize that believers can be transformed and empowered by the Holy Spirit to exhibit self-control, including control over speech. This could seem inconsistent if James 3:8 is interpreted as saying it's entirely impossible to tame the tongue.