Lexical Summary bruó: To swell, to burst forth, to abound Original Word: βρύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance send forth. A primary verb; to swell out, i.e. (by implication) to gush -- send forth. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition to be full to bursting, to gush with NASB Translation send (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1032: βρύωβρύω; 1. intransitive, to abound, gush forth, teem with juices ((akin to βλύω, φλύω; see Lob. Techn., p. 22f; Curtius, p. 531), cf. German Brust, Brühe); often so from Homer down (Iliad 17, 56 ἔρνος ἀνθει βρύει). 2. more rarely transitive, to send forth abundantly: absolutely to teem, ἡ γῆ βρύει, Xenophon, venat. 5, 12; with an accusative of flowers, fruits, χάριτες ῤόδα βρυουσι, Anacreon ( The single New Testament occurrence of βρύει (bruō) pictures water “flowing” or “gushing” from a spring. Classical writers used the verb for sap rising in plants or liquid bursting from a source, an image of something hidden within that inevitably manifests itself. The metaphor conveys both abundance and inevitability: what is inside will come out. Occurrence in the New Testament James 3:11 poses a rhetorical question: “Can both fresh water and bitter water flow from the same spring?”. By choosing βρύει, James highlights the continuous activity of the spring. The point is not a single incident of contradiction but the impossibility of an ongoing dual output. Just as nature rejects a spring sending forth two incompatible qualities of water, so the regenerate life should reject speech that blesses God yet curses people (James 3:9–10). Old Testament and Intertestamental Parallels Scripture frequently employs the spring motif to describe the character of the righteous and God Himself: These passages prepare the soil for James’s warning. A spring identified with life cannot simultaneously pour out death. Jewish wisdom literature, both canonical and extra-canonical, often contrasts wholesome and polluted fountains to illustrate integrity or duplicity. Theological Themes Integrity of Heart and Speech: James insists that inner transformation must govern the tongue. A new nature, implanted by the word (James 1:21), produces consistent speech just as a pure spring produces pure water. Creation Order and Moral Order: James appeals to the fixed patterns of creation to expose moral inconsistency. As the created order reflects God’s character, ethical duplicity represents a violation of that order. Holiness and Witness: Speech is a barometer of holiness. Pure words testify to the sanctifying work of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:29), while corrupt words undermine witness (Colossians 4:6). Application to Christian Living Self-Examination: Believers are called to test the “water” of their words. Persistent bitterness or slander signals a spiritual source in need of repentance. Discipleship and Formation: Teaching ministries should emphasize verbal purity as evidence of maturity (James 3:2). Memorizing and meditating on Scripture saturates the heart with pure “water” (Psalm 119:11). Corporate Life: Congregational health depends on springs that refresh rather than poison. Elders and leaders must model speech that builds up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Homiletical and Pastoral Insights Illustration: A glass of clear water with a single drop of ink vividly shows how little corruption is required to alter purity—mirroring how a careless word mars a Christian testimony. Counseling: When addressing conflicts, pastors can guide members to trace harmful words back to heart issues, applying the gospel to both root and fruit (Matthew 12:34). Evangelism: The contrast between fresh and bitter speech provides an accessible entry point for explaining regeneration to unbelievers: only Christ can change the source. Summary βρύει, though appearing only once, offers rich insight into the inseparable link between nature and expression. Scripture consistently teaches that a redeemed heart will “gush forth” words consistent with the grace received. James’s vivid image summons the church to cultivate springs of living water that refresh a thirsty world. |
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