The Destructive Power of the Tongue as a Verbum Inefficax: A Canonical-Literary Reading of James 3:1–12 through the Lens of Speech-Act Theory

Abstract

The major premise of this journal article is that human speech is either categorized as a verbum efficax or a verbum inefficax. On the one hand, as argued in section one, human speech as a verbum efficax is efficacious. Yet, as argued in section two, human speech as a verbum inefficax is inefficacious. In terms of methodology, section one puts forward an introductory thesis by concisely overviewing speech-act theory, especially as it relates to the efficacious proclamation of the gospel. Next, section two articulates a subsequent antithesis (i.e., how speech can be harmful) by examining James 3:1–12 through the lens of speech-act theory. This includes elucidating the passage’s rhetorical and literary structure, along with expositing its content by using speech-act theory as the primary heuristic filter. Lastly, section three offers a concluding synthesis by maintaining that while human speech as a verbum efficax promotes human flourishing in all areas of life, human speech as a verbum inefficax fosters the atrophying of humanity’s existence.

Keywords

• human speech
• verbum efficax
• verbum inefficax
• speech-act theory
• james 3:1–12