TheWay BibleHome›Bible›James›James 3›James 3:3-6
James 3:3-6 KJV
James · chapter 3 · verses 3–6
3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.James 3:3-6 · King James Version
James 3:3-6 in context
1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Commentary
Cross references
- Psalms 32:9
- Proverbs 18:21
- Jeremiah 9:3-8
- Proverbs 12:18
- Proverbs 15:2
- Psalms 17:10
- Psalms 73:8-9
- Psalms 12:2-4
- Psalms 52:1-2
- Psalms 120:2-3
- Proverbs 16:27
- Mark 7:15
Key words (Strong's)
- whithersoeverhopouwhere, whereasG3699 →
- iniquityadikiainjustice, of a judge, unrighteousness of heart and life, a deed violating law and…G93 →
- defilethspiloōto defile, spotG4695 →
- horses'hipposa horseG2462 →
- Beholdidoubehold, see, loG2400 →
- mouthsstomathe mouth, as part of the body of man, of animals, of fish, etc., since thoughts of a man…G4750 →
- drivenelaunōto drive, of the wind driving ships or clouds, of sailors propelling a vessel by oars, to…G1643 →
- fiercesklēroshard, harsh, rough, stiff, of men metaph. harsh, stern, hard, of things violent, rough…G4642 →
Topics
Keep reading in TheWay Bible App
Read, study, memorize, journal, and pray — tap any word for its Greek or Hebrew definition, save verses to memorize, and keep a journal. Free on the web and iOS.
The foregoing chapter shows how unprofitable and dead faith is without works. It is plainly intimated by what this chapter first goes upon that such a faith is, however, apt to make men conceited and magisterial in their tempers and their talk.
— Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on verses 1-12